A review by ninotchka
A Lady Of Quality by Frances Hodgson Burnett

3.0

You may think that Burnett wrote children's books because you've read The Secret Garden but she wrote mostly adult books. This book was written in 1896 but it's set in an older England. It's an odd book for a modern reader. It is a historical romance that is partially critical of religion and faith but ends up deeply steeped in religious language. It features an incredibly strong and strong willed central female character that is unwilling to cower or bow before any man. Nonetheless, once she meets her true love, her equal and her "mate," the language turns to metaphors of submission. If you like historical romances (e.g. Georgette Heyer, Jane Eyre, Jane Austen) you should try this. There is plenty of lavish description of manor houses and clothing. Also it's in the public domain and available as a free e-book. It's a very interesting comparison to Austen because Austen was commenting on the social order and Burnett has a lot to say about what it means to be a woman and how difficult it is to be a smart woman. Bronte's Jane Eyre has something to say about that too. On the other hand, if you can't stomach the genre don't try A Lady of Quality. Burnett is simply not as good a writer as Bronte or Austen.