How does an innocent young woman survive a society where every social mistake can change her reputation?
In Evelina, Frances Burney follows a young woman entering fashionable eighteenth-century society for the first time, where manners, reputation, romance, and social expectations can be both fascinating and dangerous.
Raised away from the sophisticated world of London, Evelina finds herself navigating unfamiliar social situations as she encounters new people, potential admirers, and the complicated rules of polite society. Her innocence and good judgment are repeatedly tested as she learns how quickly appearances can deceive.
Burney combines romance, humor, social satire, and coming-of-age storytelling to create a lively portrait of eighteenth-century manners and expectations. Through Evelina's experiences, the novel examines the position of women, courtship, class, reputation, and the challenges of finding independence within a restrictive social world.
First published anonymously in 1778, Evelina was Frances Burney's first published novel and became a major success, helping establish her reputation as an important early English novelist.
Perfect for readers who enjoy classic romance, novels of manners, historical fiction, social satire, and stories of personal growth.
Follow Evelina into the glittering world of eighteenth-century society and discover a timeless story of romance, reputation, and self-discovery.
