read until end of vol 2

Sono morta dalle risate leggendo questo libro.

Frances - Fanny - Burney, romanziera georgiana contemporanea - ma più anziana - di Jane Austen, voleva fare la drammaturga. In Evelina la cosa si nota tantissimo, soprattutto la preponderanza dei dialoghi rispetto alla narrazione, i personaggi al limite e forse oltre lo stereotipo, la vena comica marcata (non mi stupisce affatto che Jane Austen leggesse e amasse questa scrittrice).
Ad oggi Evelina forse non regge granché per la trama (soprattutto per gli uomini che cadono ai piedi della protagonista come mosche) né per la caratterizzazione dei personaggi, ma rimane assolutamente delizioso: oltre ad essere un perfetto fix per chi è in astinenza da Jane (anche se la sua acutezza rimane imbattibile), è come ho detto divertentissimo e fa fare grasse risate - io ho apprezzato in particolare la signora francese che viene da tutti apostrofata Frog e litiga con gli inglesi per questioni patriottiche, e che usa perennemente i doppi negativi; inoltre Evelina ha un valore linguistico non da poco, poiché in esso si registrano per la prima volta nello scritto tantissime parole in uso all'epoca (in questo senso secondo me è indispensabile leggerlo in lingua originale e in un'edizione con numerose note al testo).
Come sempre l'edizione Oxford* è bellissima dal punto di vista estetico (ho comprato un altro Burney e Belinda della Edgeworth quasi esclusivamente per le copertine), e ne ho apprezzato molto l'introduzione (io di solito evito le introduzioni/prefazioni come la peste) e le tantissime note.

*quando sono stata ad Oxford e sono entrata nella libreria della Oxford University Press, sono dovuta uscire quasi subito perché mi provocava una orribile sensazione d'impotenza non potermi portare a casa tutta la collezione World's Classics.

3.5 Stars. What a sweet and surprising novel it was strangely funny and great commentary on the 18th century mannerisms and society. Also Reverend Villar's is one of my new favorite literary father figures.

Read my full review here.

I struggled to get into Evelina, oh my did I struggle. The pacing at first is slow so I put the book down for awhile. I didn’t come back to it for a few weeks, but I picked it up again because I was determined to finish it. And I’m glad I saw it through because I was absolutely riveted.

Evelina is, first and foremost, a comedy. There are so many ridiculous characters who are rude and dramatic and think so highly of themselves and it was entertaining to a point. Though at times I felt these dramatics were dragged on for too long. Yet these characters are equally frustrating which makes the comedic element more of a commentary on people’s behaviour. Captain Mirvan assaults - violently shakes - a woman he doesn’t like in what he calls a joke. Sir Clement doesn’t listen to ‘No’ or ‘Leave me be’. He’s sexist right until the end of the novel, as are many of the male characters.

Evelina is our heroine and it was wonderful to see her become more vocal and strong over the course of the novel. She changes in this way because of necessity for all that happens on her travels. I would have liked to see her be even more vocal about her feelings because men still tend to control her life, but I understand it was common in the time period. And her esteem for Lord Orville grows steadily rather than being an instantaneous affection. And while she doesn’t understand at first that what she’s feeling is romantic love, she comes to realize it when it pains her to lose his friendship and be parted from him when she returns to Berry Hill. Lord Orville is a sweet man, for the most part - though he does sometimes behave forcefully too, though not at all like the other males characters. It was clear that he, too grew to care for Evelina and from friendship grew romantic love.

The narrative style is in the form of letter amongst some of the characters, mainly between Evelina and her adoptive father, Reverend Villars. At first it was difficult to enjoy this narrative, but by the end I quite liked the narrative strategy as it also served to build upon the relationship between Evelina and Rev. Villars though the two are not together often on the page. And theirs is one of the most beautiful relationships in the novel since they respect and love each other though they are not blood related.

Evelina is a riveting and entertaining novel about people, love, and family. It’s a bit difficult to get into at first, but give it a chance and you’ll be glad you read it.

By far, my favorite 18th-century novel. I like The Monk, but I like Evelina better because of the relevance of the male-female power dynamics she endures and the masculinity she describes. It's no wonder Jane Austen and other 19th-century Brits found so much inspiration in Burney. If you love any of the Bronte sisters, Austen, or Eliot, read this book. You won't be disappointed.

I read this in my Birth of the British Novel class. It was such a joy to read! If you like Jane Austen, you'll like Evelina!

18th century beach read I loved it