I have found a great web site in which there is alot of information about women writers during the period. Most of the books are very hard to find and I had to read summaries of the stories, most of which are about romantic relationships, marriage and love!
Here are a few examples:
Sophia Lee The Recess 1783-5
This is a tale of the two daughters that Mary Queen of Scots had in a secret marriage (need I add this is a historical fantasy?) The two daughters are raised in a hidden underground cave (the recess) and manage to get out and make the two worst marriages possible. (Spoiler warning) One ends up in jail in the Caribbean, and the other is driven mad by the malice and machinations of Queen Elizabeth I. To extend the misery to three generations, a daughter of one of the two hidden heroines goes on also to have marital woes. Lee isn't realistic, but the novel is powerful, gothic, and at times surrealistic. It was a huge bestseller. Ayer Company writes of this book: "This novel marked the beginning of the resurgence in historical fiction, blending the atmosphere of supernatural terror with the distinct panorama of history and chivalry."
This is a tale of the two daughters that Mary Queen of Scots had in a secret marriage (need I add this is a historical fantasy?) The two daughters are raised in a hidden underground cave (the recess) and manage to get out and make the two worst marriages possible. (Spoiler warning) One ends up in jail in the Caribbean, and the other is driven mad by the malice and machinations of Queen Elizabeth I. To extend the misery to three generations, a daughter of one of the two hidden heroines goes on also to have marital woes. Lee isn't realistic, but the novel is powerful, gothic, and at times surrealistic. It was a huge bestseller. Ayer Company writes of this book: "This novel marked the beginning of the resurgence in historical fiction, blending the atmosphere of supernatural terror with the distinct panorama of history and chivalry."
Jane West A Gossip's Story 1797
Fascinating tale of two sisters--one who is involved in a very romantic friendship with another woman. In discussing this female friendship, the novel seems clearly to be referring to a lesbian subtext. The novel is extremely funny in its satire, and many speak of it as a model for Austen's Sense and Sensibility.
Fascinating tale of two sisters--one who is involved in a very romantic friendship with another woman. In discussing this female friendship, the novel seems clearly to be referring to a lesbian subtext. The novel is extremely funny in its satire, and many speak of it as a model for Austen's Sense and Sensibility.
Jane Porter Thaddeus of Warsaw 1803
The heroine of Mary Brunton's Self-Control (1810-1) loves the hero of this novel and it is not hard to see why. How can you resist the tall, handsome, brave hero who fights bravely in battle, goes into exile and fights to help his horse and general in the face of poverty? He also defends women in the streets and helps children. He makes a living teaching languages and selling drawings, resisting the seductive efforts of assorted women who long to make him their play-thing. There is some great satire of London society, as well as a vivid account of spousal abuse and the lack of legal recourse for women. The novel opens with extremely realistic battle scenes of the destruction of Poland in 1796, based on first-person accounts told to the author by a number of soldiers and the great Polish general himself, who Napoleon offered the throne. The book was banned by Napoleon and huge success in its day.
The heroine of Mary Brunton's Self-Control (1810-1) loves the hero of this novel and it is not hard to see why. How can you resist the tall, handsome, brave hero who fights bravely in battle, goes into exile and fights to help his horse and general in the face of poverty? He also defends women in the streets and helps children. He makes a living teaching languages and selling drawings, resisting the seductive efforts of assorted women who long to make him their play-thing. There is some great satire of London society, as well as a vivid account of spousal abuse and the lack of legal recourse for women. The novel opens with extremely realistic battle scenes of the destruction of Poland in 1796, based on first-person accounts told to the author by a number of soldiers and the great Polish general himself, who Napoleon offered the throne. The book was banned by Napoleon and huge success in its day.
Mary Brunton Discipline 1814
A great novel written in the first person which tells of a spoiled young woman's journey to maturity and love. Great details of the London season and Scottish city and country life. Novel covers great themes such as jealousy, pride, suicide, sexual harassment, the oppression of the poor, true friendship, and true love. The novel includes also a great ball scene, a fashionable auction scene, a wonderful masquerade scene, a scary madhouse scene, and some vivid depictions of the horror of poverty.
A great novel written in the first person which tells of a spoiled young woman's journey to maturity and love. Great details of the London season and Scottish city and country life. Novel covers great themes such as jealousy, pride, suicide, sexual harassment, the oppression of the poor, true friendship, and true love. The novel includes also a great ball scene, a fashionable auction scene, a wonderful masquerade scene, a scary madhouse scene, and some vivid depictions of the horror of poverty.
Susan Ferrier Marriage 1818
Marriage is an enjoyable, funny novel dealing with the life of twin girls, born to a silly London beauty who eloped with a Scotsman. He was disinherited, and poverty in Scotland is too much for the beauty to endure. She leaves with one twin, Adelaide Julia, and leaves the other, Mary, to be raised in Scotland by her aunt, Mrs. Douglas, and her three great-aunts: Miss Jacky, Miss Grizzy, and Miss Nicky. Of course, when Mary is ready for marriage, she reunites with her sister and fun complications occur which of course contrast a fashionable London education and a good, moral Scottish education.
Marriage is an enjoyable, funny novel dealing with the life of twin girls, born to a silly London beauty who eloped with a Scotsman. He was disinherited, and poverty in Scotland is too much for the beauty to endure. She leaves with one twin, Adelaide Julia, and leaves the other, Mary, to be raised in Scotland by her aunt, Mrs. Douglas, and her three great-aunts: Miss Jacky, Miss Grizzy, and Miss Nicky. Of course, when Mary is ready for marriage, she reunites with her sister and fun complications occur which of course contrast a fashionable London education and a good, moral Scottish education.
There are many more and I will post more next time!
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