A review by reclusivebookslug
Evelina by Frances Burney

emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

In subject and tone, this reads like the perfect combination of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. Although it was written before either of these two other authors was published, Evelina seems to keep more modern sensibilities, judging by the ease with which I read it, the frequency with which I was delighted by it, and the relative infrequency whereby I was alarmed by the promotion of archaic values or customs. To be fair, this may also be due to my growing comfort with reading older texts, since it has been a while since I last read Austen or Brontë, whom I can't help but compare Burney to. I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.

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