Memoirs of Emma Courtney

<p><I>Memoirs of Emma Courtney</I> (1796) is a novel by English writer and feminist Mary Hays. Inspired by events from her own life as well as by her acquaintance with radical political philosophers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft Hays's novel received mixed reviews and was controversial for its representation of female sexuality adultery infanticide and suicide. Modern critics and readers however have recognized the novel as a groundbreaking work of feminist fiction. In a series of letters to her adopted son Augustus Harley Emma Courtney reveals the tragic details of her life. Young and in love with Augustus's father Courtney dreamed of marrying him and starting a family. Despite their true connection Harley is unable to marry-his continued income is only guaranteed he claims if he remains a bachelor. Meanwhile a man named Mr. Montague promises Courtney a life of safety and financial stability if she will agree to marry him which after learning that Harley has secretly been married all along she does. Heartbroken Courtney settles for a life with her new husband and raising her daughter becomes her only cause for passion. When she realizes the extent of Mr. Montague's dishonesty however she struggles to reconcile her former sense of individuality with the life she has been forced to live. When Harley suddenly reappears however feelings from the past return that threaten to flood Courtney's heart and overturn what stability she thought had been her own. <I>Memoirs of Emma Courtney</I> is an epistolary novel exploring themes of desire inequality and the love that transcends the values and bonds of society. This edition of Mary Hays's <I>Memoirs of Emma Courtney</I> is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern readers.</p> <p>Since our inception in 2020 <b>Mint Editions</b> has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.</p> <p>With thousands of titles in our collection we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.</p>