The Victorian era's pervasive engagement with the supernatural is examined beyond a simple reaction to scientific advancement. This collection of essays by scholars from literature, art history, and the history of science explores the multifaceted Victorian fascination with ghosts, fairies, spiritualism, telepathy, occult religions, reincarnation, and visions of other worlds. The authors argue that the supernatural was not merely a consequence of post-Darwinian doubt but was deeply interwoven into the fabric of Victorian culture.

This collection is recognized for its scholarly depth, bringing together diverse perspectives from literature, art history, and the history of science to illuminate the Victorian fascination with the supernatural. The essays collectively challenge the notion that supernatural beliefs were solely a reaction to scientific advancements like Darwinism, instead demonstrating their deep integration into Victorian cultural life. The work is valued for its comprehensive approach to topics ranging from ghosts and spiritualism to occult religions and reincarnation. It offers a nuanced understanding of how the supernatural permeated various aspects of Victorian society and thought.