Evelina Frances Burney

evelina, volume ii, 1779 edition

frances burney s first novel, evelina or history of young lady s entrance world, published anonymously in 1778, without father s knowledge or permission, thomas lowndes, voiced interest after reading first volume , agreed publish upon receipt of finished work. novel had been rejected previous publisher, robert dodsley, refused print anonymous work. burney, worked father s amanuensis, had copied manuscript in disguised hand prevent identification of book burneys, thinking own handwriting might recognised publisher. unthinkable @ time young woman deliberately put herself public eye writing, , burney s second attempt publish work involved collusion of eldest brother, posed author lowndes. inexperienced @ negotiating publisher, james burney extracted twenty guineas (£21) payment manuscript.

the novel critical success, receiving praise respected individuals, including statesman edmund burke , literary critic dr johnson. admired comic view of wealthy english society, , realistic portrayal of working-class london dialects, , known today satire . discussed characters in epistolary novel of period: elizabeth blower s parsonage house (1780). burney s father read public reviews of novel before learning author own daughter. although act of publication radical woman @ time , of age, impressed favourable reactions book , largely supported her. certainly, saw social advantages having successful published writer in family, , pleased frances had achieved recognition through work.