Evelina: With Introduction by Austin Dobson and Hugh Thomson's 81 Classic Illustrations (Aziloth Books)

Frances Burney was born at Kings Lynn Norfolk on 17th June 1752 the third of Charles and Elspeth Burneys six children. A precocious child at 10 years old Frances was already showing a talent for scribbling (as she called her writing). Her father encouraged her work as a hobby but set his face against any publication of her work calling it unladylike. Burney acquiesced and destroyed her first novel but with maturity her confidence grew and (albeit it anonymously) she eventually published her novel Evelina in 1778 to widespread critical acclaim with such literary luminaries as Dr. Johnson David Garrick and Edmund Burke praising her wit and biting satire. Such was the demand for Evelina it very quickly went through four editions and has remained popular ever since. A multi-layered novel of manners Burney uses the eponymous heroines honesty innocence and bucolic world-view as a mirror in which to reveal the shallow jejune world of Londons upper classes through which Evelina navigates an uneven passage to maturity and romance. The work is by turns an elegant plea against female repression a satirical expose of Londons 18th century elite a valuable sociological record of etiquette and social mores and a heart-warming tale of true love.