Abstract
Although many works have been devoted to serials in France, Great Britain and the United States, there was no comparative study between these three countries. "Romans-feuilletons", "serials", "serialized fictions", have been developing and multiplying since the end of the 18th century in these three geographical and cultural areas. Historians specializing in literature, but also image and media, sociologists, question the birth of the soap opera, then present the different actors, authors, publishers, illustrators, advertisers, as well as the modes and media of its publication. Finally, they question the distribution of the soap opera, initially designed to entertain the general public and sometimes intended for specific readerships, for union or political purposes. A few reflections on the future of soap operas, among others on the "serial movies" screened in cinemas in the United States during the two world wars, complete this approach. Fascinating in its richness and diversity, a major economic issue, a reflection of the society that produces it, the soap opera is a real cultural phenomenon. This work, through the study of the production, distribution, and certain forms of reception of the soap opera, invites the reader to meditate on the extraordinary success of one of the most fertile genres, after the epic, of the universal literature. This book concerns the sociology of reading, the history of publishing and cultural and social history. a major economic stake, a reflection of the society that produces it, the soap opera is a real cultural phenomenon. This work, through the study of the production, distribution, and certain forms of reception of the soap opera, invites the reader to meditate on the extraordinary success of one of the most fertile genres, after the epic, of the universal literature. This book concerns the sociology of reading, the history of publishing and cultural and social history. a major economic stake, a reflection of the society that produces it, the soap opera is a real cultural phenomenon. This work, through the study of the production, distribution, and certain forms of reception of the soap opera, invites the reader to meditate on the extraordinary success of one of the most fertile genres, after the epic, of the universal literature. This book concerns the sociology of reading, the history of publishing and cultural and social history. universal literature. This book concerns the sociology of reading, the history of publishing and cultural and social history. universal literature. This book concerns the sociology of reading, the history of publishing and cultural and social history.