Who said 18th century literature was boring?, 17 Aug 2001
Anyone who loves Jane Austen (and don't we all?) will certainly enjoy Fanny Burney's Evelina. Burney is really a precursor of Austen, but has unfortunately been completely overshadowed by the later novelist. In its time (1778) Evelina was a tremendous hit and shy Fanny Burney a celebrated author overnight. She was invited into the iterary circle of Samuel Johnson, became a reluctant lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte because of her celebrity and at age 41 married a refugee from the French Revolution, thus becoming Madame D'Arblay (check out her interesting diaries). The subtitle of Evelina (The History of A Young Lady's Entrance into the World) says it all: Evelina is an innocent and naive young girl, who suddenly finds herself in unfamiliar London society, surrounded by suitable and not so suitable suitors and a host of other characters. Lots of misunderstandings and perilous situations block Evelina's road, but don't be surprised to find humour and suspense as well, for the continuing question is of course whether Evelina will survive Society unscathed. Even though the pace of a novel more than 2 centuries old may be a bit slow for some, this is something you get used to soon enough: the novel contains far too much life, fun and social commentary to be dull.

Delightful and acerbic novel of manners., 22 Aug 2000
Rather shorter and easier to read that Burney's later novels, this a delightful story about a naive and sheltered girl entering into 'polite' society in the last quarter of the 18th century. As a beauty, Evelina is subjected to unrelenting sexual harrasment that she is barely equipped to cope with and a range of social humiliations that would make a much less sensitive person cringe. As is usual in Burney's novels, Evelina is surrounded by a range of grotesque and entertaining characters (my favourites being the appalling, but enjoyably assertive 'French' grandmother and the acid-tongued Mrs Selwyn) and no punches are pulled in satirising the arrogance, hypocracy and deceit underlying fashionable society. In particular the ugly and offensive sexism to which all the women in the book are treated - young and old, rich and poor, plain and beautiful - is quite horrifying to modern eyes and it says a lot for Evelina that she manages to hang onto her self-respect and dignity in the face of it. Finally, the book gives a vivid impression of the range of new entertainments that were becoming available to amuse the 18th century leisured classes - including such novelties as "sight-seeing" and "shopping".

An Excellent Account of Propriety in the 18th Century, 16 Jul 1999
This story, although seeming to take the shape of a soap opera with the many twists and turns of society, was spellbinding in its wonderful protrayal of decorum under usually wild circumstances. The young Evelina is thrust into society and into the hands of wolves, mostly because she is so beautiful. The most wonderful thing about her is NOT her beauty, but her elegant and ignomious education and charm. She a beauty to the core and always wishing to do the right thing. To share her difficulties is almost heart wrenching. To share her delight is heart warming. Evelina will steal your heart as she did Lord Orville's. Wait and see.

Who said 18th century literature was boring?, 17 Aug 2001
Anyone who loves Jane Austen (and don't we all?) will certainly enjoy Fanny Burney's Evelina. Burney is really a precursor of Austen, but has unfortunately been completely overshadowed by the later novelist. In its time (1778) Evelina was a tremendous hit and shy Fanny Burney a celebrated author overnight. She was invited into the iterary circle of Samuel Johnson, became a reluctant lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte because of her celebrity and at age 41 married a refugee from the French Revolution, thus becoming Madame D'Arblay (check out her interesting diaries). The subtitle of Evelina (The History of A Young Lady's Entrance into the World) says it all: Evelina is an innocent and naive young girl, who suddenly finds herself in unfamiliar London society, surrounded by suitable and not so suitable suitors and a host of other characters. Lots of misunderstandings and perilous situations block Evelina's road, but don't be surprised to find humour and suspense as well, for the continuing question is of course whether Evelina will survive Society unscathed. Even though the pace of a novel more than 2 centuries old may be a bit slow for some, this is something you get used to soon enough: the novel contains far too much life, fun and social commentary to be dull.

Delightful and acerbic novel of manners., 22 Aug 2000
Rather shorter and easier to read that Burney's later novels, this a delightful story about a naive and sheltered girl entering into 'polite' society in the last quarter of the 18th century. As a beauty, Evelina is subjected to unrelenting sexual harrasment that she is barely equipped to cope with and a range of social humiliations that would make a much less sensitive person cringe. As is usual in Burney's novels, Evelina is surrounded by a range of grotesque and entertaining characters (my favourites being the appalling, but enjoyably assertive 'French' grandmother and the acid-tongued Mrs Selwyn) and no punches are pulled in satirising the arrogance, hypocracy and deceit underlying fashionable society. In particular the ugly and offensive sexism to which all the women in the book are treated - young and old, rich and poor, plain and beautiful - is quite horrifying to modern eyes and it says a lot for Evelina that she manages to hang onto her self-respect and dignity in the face of it. Finally, the book gives a vivid impression of the range of new entertainments that were becoming available to amuse the 18th century leisured classes - including such novelties as "sight-seeing" and "shopping".

An Excellent Account of Propriety in the 18th Century, 16 Jul 1999
This story, although seeming to take the shape of a soap opera with the many twists and turns of society, was spellbinding in its wonderful protrayal of decorum under usually wild circumstances. The young Evelina is thrust into society and into the hands of wolves, mostly because she is so beautiful. The most wonderful thing about her is NOT her beauty, but her elegant and ignomious education and charm. She a beauty to the core and always wishing to do the right thing. To share her difficulties is almost heart wrenching. To share her delight is heart warming. Evelina will steal your heart as she did Lord Orville's. Wait and see.

An enjoyable and unusual read, 14 Dec 2005
Burney is consistently overlooked in favour of other writers of the period, but undeservedly so, especially in this, her third novel, which is an entertaining and unconventional account of the trials of its heroine, Camilla, and her meandering journey towards a happy marriage. Somewhat unusually though, Burney does not see marriage as her heroine's only option, even questioning her own hero's suitability, and though she scrutinises female behaviour in the text, ridiculing the vain or superficial, she is as cynical towards her male characters, whom she criticises for their apathy, pomposity or misogyny as appropriate. Camilla's own behaviour may be flawed, but in being so, she becomes a very human and likeable protagonist in a novel which aims to give the reader an insight into different aspects of eighteenth-century life. Though parts of the novel are melodramatic (a feature it shares with much contemporary writing), the plot is engaging and the characters memorable, whether the poor overlooked Eugenia or the commanding Mrs Tyrold.

Though long, the novel is not wearing, as the scenes and locations change throughout and the detail and breath of Burney's writing benefit from her expansive style. Whilst Austen-lovers will certainly find this novel a rewarding read, I would argue that Burney deserves independent recognition for her work, which, though less succinct than Austen's, is as rewarding. Of all her novels, Camilla is both the liveliest and the most accessible - Evelina's humour is disrupted by the epistolary style, whilst Cecilia and The Wanderer are both more serious in tone. As an introduction to this fascinating author's work, if letters aren't for you, Camilla is a great place to start, and if already a fan, an engrossing text with which to continue your reading. It is a novel I will certainly return to for many more reads in the future.

Less would be more, 21 Nov 2005
Fanny Burney’s Camilla is mentioned as a great novel by Jane Austen so I thought I’ll give the book a try. Although it proved quite enjoyable for a time, after 500 pages and at least “500” recurring events where the main characters, Camilla & Edgar, almost seem to make it just to end up further and further apart I got really bored. The novel would be much better if it were 400 pages shorter.

Burney might have inspired Jane Austen, but Austen exceeded and outsmarted her in every way. Where Austen’s plots are tight without any unnecessary subplots and going-ons, just for the sake of writing another 200 pages, Burney keeps repeating events, her characters find themselves over and over in similar circumstances without adding anything new to plot or to characterization, making the whole novel very tiresome after a while. I admit that Jane Austen also used cliché characters but her genius breathed life into them – they are well-drawn and have depth – while Burney’s characters – even or especially the main characters, with the exception of the wonderful Eugenia – stay flat and common place, as if cut out from a newspaper.
In my opinion, Camilla, the heroine is simply one of the most frustratingly perfect female cliché characters that appeared in print. Besides some very common place deeds she doesn’t seem very special at all. What is apparent right form the start that her family, friends and admirers assume her perfect without any other ground that her being pretty and good-humoured. And it seems the author was quite satisfied with this kind of characterization for she didn’t feel the need to emphasize Camilla’s good qualities with any external actions really but what is cliché and boring. As a result, Camilla remains a rather one-sided, flat character without any real progress than being understood rather than misunderstood by Edgar at the end of the painfully long 1000 pages. The most incredible and discrediting thing to me was when at a social assembly the boorish suitor of Camilla – not at all a gentleman – starts abusing Eugenia’s appearance and Camilla instead of putting him to place or at least leaving him on the spot if she is such a coward to say anything – like I am sure Elizabeth Bennet, Elinor Dashwood or Emma Woodhouse would have done – just remains there sitting stupidly and mutely. So much for sisterly love!

I tend to agree with my fellow reviewers that Eugenia is a far more interesting and profound character, her personal tragedy and the courage she bears it with make her endearing. Hers was the –unfortunately only – subplot that I followed with the most excitement and sympathy.

Still, the novel was an interesting experience for me to know what was considered popular reading in that period and as such, quite useful with my studies.

Who said 18th century literature was boring?, 17 Aug 2001
Anyone who loves Jane Austen (and don't we all?) will certainly enjoy Fanny Burney's Evelina. Burney is really a precursor of Austen, but has unfortunately been completely overshadowed by the later novelist. In its time (1778) Evelina was a tremendous hit and shy Fanny Burney a celebrated author overnight. She was invited into the iterary circle of Samuel Johnson, became a reluctant lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte because of her celebrity and at age 41 married a refugee from the French Revolution, thus becoming Madame D'Arblay (check out her interesting diaries). The subtitle of Evelina (The History of A Young Lady's Entrance into the World) says it all: Evelina is an innocent and naive young girl, who suddenly finds herself in unfamiliar London society, surrounded by suitable and not so suitable suitors and a host of other characters. Lots of misunderstandings and perilous situations block Evelina's road, but don't be surprised to find humour and suspense as well, for the continuing question is of course whether Evelina will survive Society unscathed. Even though the pace of a novel more than 2 centuries old may be a bit slow for some, this is something you get used to soon enough: the novel contains far too much life, fun and social commentary to be dull.

Delightful and acerbic novel of manners., 22 Aug 2000
Rather shorter and easier to read that Burney's later novels, this a delightful story about a naive and sheltered girl entering into 'polite' society in the last quarter of the 18th century. As a beauty, Evelina is subjected to unrelenting sexual harrasment that she is barely equipped to cope with and a range of social humiliations that would make a much less sensitive person cringe. As is usual in Burney's novels, Evelina is surrounded by a range of grotesque and entertaining characters (my favourites being the appalling, but enjoyably assertive 'French' grandmother and the acid-tongued Mrs Selwyn) and no punches are pulled in satirising the arrogance, hypocracy and deceit underlying fashionable society. In particular the ugly and offensive sexism to which all the women in the book are treated - young and old, rich and poor, plain and beautiful - is quite horrifying to modern eyes and it says a lot for Evelina that she manages to hang onto her self-respect and dignity in the face of it. Finally, the book gives a vivid impression of the range of new entertainments that were becoming available to amuse the 18th century leisured classes - including such novelties as "sight-seeing" and "shopping".

An Excellent Account of Propriety in the 18th Century, 16 Jul 1999
This story, although seeming to take the shape of a soap opera with the many twists and turns of society, was spellbinding in its wonderful protrayal of decorum under usually wild circumstances. The young Evelina is thrust into society and into the hands of wolves, mostly because she is so beautiful. The most wonderful thing about her is NOT her beauty, but her elegant and ignomious education and charm. She a beauty to the core and always wishing to do the right thing. To share her difficulties is almost heart wrenching. To share her delight is heart warming. Evelina will steal your heart as she did Lord Orville's. Wait and see.

An enjoyable and unusual read, 14 Dec 2005
Burney is consistently overlooked in favour of other writers of the period, but undeservedly so, especially in this, her third novel, which is an entertaining and unconventional account of the trials of its heroine, Camilla, and her meandering journey towards a happy marriage. Somewhat unusually though, Burney does not see marriage as her heroine's only option, even questioning her own hero's suitability, and though she scrutinises female behaviour in the text, ridiculing the vain or superficial, she is as cynical towards her male characters, whom she criticises for their apathy, pomposity or misogyny as appropriate. Camilla's own behaviour may be flawed, but in being so, she becomes a very human and likeable protagonist in a novel which aims to give the reader an insight into different aspects of eighteenth-century life. Though parts of the novel are melodramatic (a feature it shares with much contemporary writing), the plot is engaging and the characters memorable, whether the poor overlooked Eugenia or the commanding Mrs Tyrold.

Though long, the novel is not wearing, as the scenes and locations change throughout and the detail and breath of Burney's writing benefit from her expansive style. Whilst Austen-lovers will certainly find this novel a rewarding read, I would argue that Burney deserves independent recognition for her work, which, though less succinct than Austen's, is as rewarding. Of all her novels, Camilla is both the liveliest and the most accessible - Evelina's humour is disrupted by the epistolary style, whilst Cecilia and The Wanderer are both more serious in tone. As an introduction to this fascinating author's work, if letters aren't for you, Camilla is a great place to start, and if already a fan, an engrossing text with which to continue your reading. It is a novel I will certainly return to for many more reads in the future.

Less would be more, 21 Nov 2005
Fanny Burney’s Camilla is mentioned as a great novel by Jane Austen so I thought I’ll give the book a try. Although it proved quite enjoyable for a time, after 500 pages and at least “500” recurring events where the main characters, Camilla & Edgar, almost seem to make it just to end up further and further apart I got really bored. The novel would be much better if it were 400 pages shorter.

Burney might have inspired Jane Austen, but Austen exceeded and outsmarted her in every way. Where Austen’s plots are tight without any unnecessary subplots and going-ons, just for the sake of writing another 200 pages, Burney keeps repeating events, her characters find themselves over and over in similar circumstances without adding anything new to plot or to characterization, making the whole novel very tiresome after a while. I admit that Jane Austen also used cliché characters but her genius breathed life into them – they are well-drawn and have depth – while Burney’s characters – even or especially the main characters, with the exception of the wonderful Eugenia – stay flat and common place, as if cut out from a newspaper.
In my opinion, Camilla, the heroine is simply one of the most frustratingly perfect female cliché characters that appeared in print. Besides some very common place deeds she doesn’t seem very special at all. What is apparent right form the start that her family, friends and admirers assume her perfect without any other ground that her being pretty and good-humoured. And it seems the author was quite satisfied with this kind of characterization for she didn’t feel the need to emphasize Camilla’s good qualities with any external actions really but what is cliché and boring. As a result, Camilla remains a rather one-sided, flat character without any real progress than being understood rather than misunderstood by Edgar at the end of the painfully long 1000 pages. The most incredible and discrediting thing to me was when at a social assembly the boorish suitor of Camilla – not at all a gentleman – starts abusing Eugenia’s appearance and Camilla instead of putting him to place or at least leaving him on the spot if she is such a coward to say anything – like I am sure Elizabeth Bennet, Elinor Dashwood or Emma Woodhouse would have done – just remains there sitting stupidly and mutely. So much for sisterly love!

I tend to agree with my fellow reviewers that Eugenia is a far more interesting and profound character, her personal tragedy and the courage she bears it with make her endearing. Hers was the –unfortunately only – subplot that I followed with the most excitement and sympathy.

Still, the novel was an interesting experience for me to know what was considered popular reading in that period and as such, quite useful with my studies.

An engaging and thought-provoking read, 05 Nov 2003
Despite its length, the dramatic tensions of the story are maintained very well all the way through, making this a very readable novel. The emotional and moral blackmail inflicted on the heroine by Mr Harrel throughout the first part of the book is especially good, and the almost unstable character of young Delvile makes for an uneasy romance.
The characterisation is clever (Lady Honoria Pemberton is a gem) and there are no straightforward good or bad characters, which is refreshing for an 18th century novel. The breakdown of Cecilia’s character at the end is particularly moving.
For anybody who enjoyed Evelina, this is a more thought-provoking read, and some of the themes are an obvious influence on Jane Austen’s works, particularly Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

Long, but worth the effort., 04 Aug 1999
Extraordinarily long (over 900 pages) but gripping story of a girl who appears to have everything - wealth, beauty, brains and financial independence. Upon Cecilia's first arrival in London society the novel has a satirical tone, not inlike Jane Austen, but as the story progresses it becomes much darker and grimmer. Cecilia is exposed to the shallowness of her friends, the untrustworthiness of her guardians, the weakness of her lover, the snobbery of his relations and the decietful manipulation of the one man she thinks she can trust. The injustice and frustrations of her situation drive her to mental breakdown and her prized freedom turns out to be largely illusory. Well worth reading, and look out for her miserly but good-hearted and vivacious guardian, Mr Briggs.

Who said 18th century literature was boring?, 17 Aug 2001
Anyone who loves Jane Austen (and don't we all?) will certainly enjoy Fanny Burney's Evelina. Burney is really a precursor of Austen, but has unfortunately been completely overshadowed by the later novelist. In its time (1778) Evelina was a tremendous hit and shy Fanny Burney a celebrated author overnight. She was invited into the iterary circle of Samuel Johnson, became a reluctant lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte because of her celebrity and at age 41 married a refugee from the French Revolution, thus becoming Madame D'Arblay (check out her interesting diaries). The subtitle of Evelina (The History of A Young Lady's Entrance into the World) says it all: Evelina is an innocent and naive young girl, who suddenly finds herself in unfamiliar London society, surrounded by suitable and not so suitable suitors and a host of other characters. Lots of misunderstandings and perilous situations block Evelina's road, but don't be surprised to find humour and suspense as well, for the continuing question is of course whether Evelina will survive Society unscathed. Even though the pace of a novel more than 2 centuries old may be a bit slow for some, this is something you get used to soon enough: the novel contains far too much life, fun and social commentary to be dull.

Delightful and acerbic novel of manners., 22 Aug 2000
Rather shorter and easier to read that Burney's later novels, this a delightful story about a naive and sheltered girl entering into 'polite' society in the last quarter of the 18th century. As a beauty, Evelina is subjected to unrelenting sexual harrasment that she is barely equipped to cope with and a range of social humiliations that would make a much less sensitive person cringe. As is usual in Burney's novels, Evelina is surrounded by a range of grotesque and entertaining characters (my favourites being the appalling, but enjoyably assertive 'French' grandmother and the acid-tongued Mrs Selwyn) and no punches are pulled in satirising the arrogance, hypocracy and deceit underlying fashionable society. In particular the ugly and offensive sexism to which all the women in the book are treated - young and old, rich and poor, plain and beautiful - is quite horrifying to modern eyes and it says a lot for Evelina that she manages to hang onto her self-respect and dignity in the face of it. Finally, the book gives a vivid impression of the range of new entertainments that were becoming available to amuse the 18th century leisured classes - including such novelties as "sight-seeing" and "shopping".

An Excellent Account of Propriety in the 18th Century, 16 Jul 1999
This story, although seeming to take the shape of a soap opera with the many twists and turns of society, was spellbinding in its wonderful protrayal of decorum under usually wild circumstances. The young Evelina is thrust into society and into the hands of wolves, mostly because she is so beautiful. The most wonderful thing about her is NOT her beauty, but her elegant and ignomious education and charm. She a beauty to the core and always wishing to do the right thing. To share her difficulties is almost heart wrenching. To share her delight is heart warming. Evelina will steal your heart as she did Lord Orville's. Wait and see.

An enjoyable and unusual read, 14 Dec 2005
Burney is consistently overlooked in favour of other writers of the period, but undeservedly so, especially in this, her third novel, which is an entertaining and unconventional account of the trials of its heroine, Camilla, and her meandering journey towards a happy marriage. Somewhat unusually though, Burney does not see marriage as her heroine's only option, even questioning her own hero's suitability, and though she scrutinises female behaviour in the text, ridiculing the vain or superficial, she is as cynical towards her male characters, whom she criticises for their apathy, pomposity or misogyny as appropriate. Camilla's own behaviour may be flawed, but in being so, she becomes a very human and likeable protagonist in a novel which aims to give the reader an insight into different aspects of eighteenth-century life. Though parts of the novel are melodramatic (a feature it shares with much contemporary writing), the plot is engaging and the characters memorable, whether the poor overlooked Eugenia or the commanding Mrs Tyrold.

Though long, the novel is not wearing, as the scenes and locations change throughout and the detail and breath of Burney's writing benefit from her expansive style. Whilst Austen-lovers will certainly find this novel a rewarding read, I would argue that Burney deserves independent recognition for her work, which, though less succinct than Austen's, is as rewarding. Of all her novels, Camilla is both the liveliest and the most accessible - Evelina's humour is disrupted by the epistolary style, whilst Cecilia and The Wanderer are both more serious in tone. As an introduction to this fascinating author's work, if letters aren't for you, Camilla is a great place to start, and if already a fan, an engrossing text with which to continue your reading. It is a novel I will certainly return to for many more reads in the future.

Less would be more, 21 Nov 2005
Fanny Burney’s Camilla is mentioned as a great novel by Jane Austen so I thought I’ll give the book a try. Although it proved quite enjoyable for a time, after 500 pages and at least “500” recurring events where the main characters, Camilla & Edgar, almost seem to make it just to end up further and further apart I got really bored. The novel would be much better if it were 400 pages shorter.

Burney might have inspired Jane Austen, but Austen exceeded and outsmarted her in every way. Where Austen’s plots are tight without any unnecessary subplots and going-ons, just for the sake of writing another 200 pages, Burney keeps repeating events, her characters find themselves over and over in similar circumstances without adding anything new to plot or to characterization, making the whole novel very tiresome after a while. I admit that Jane Austen also used cliché characters but her genius breathed life into them – they are well-drawn and have depth – while Burney’s characters – even or especially the main characters, with the exception of the wonderful Eugenia – stay flat and common place, as if cut out from a newspaper.
In my opinion, Camilla, the heroine is simply one of the most frustratingly perfect female cliché characters that appeared in print. Besides some very common place deeds she doesn’t seem very special at all. What is apparent right form the start that her family, friends and admirers assume her perfect without any other ground that her being pretty and good-humoured. And it seems the author was quite satisfied with this kind of characterization for she didn’t feel the need to emphasize Camilla’s good qualities with any external actions really but what is cliché and boring. As a result, Camilla remains a rather one-sided, flat character without any real progress than being understood rather than misunderstood by Edgar at the end of the painfully long 1000 pages. The most incredible and discrediting thing to me was when at a social assembly the boorish suitor of Camilla – not at all a gentleman – starts abusing Eugenia’s appearance and Camilla instead of putting him to place or at least leaving him on the spot if she is such a coward to say anything – like I am sure Elizabeth Bennet, Elinor Dashwood or Emma Woodhouse would have done – just remains there sitting stupidly and mutely. So much for sisterly love!

I tend to agree with my fellow reviewers that Eugenia is a far more interesting and profound character, her personal tragedy and the courage she bears it with make her endearing. Hers was the –unfortunately only – subplot that I followed with the most excitement and sympathy.

Still, the novel was an interesting experience for me to know what was considered popular reading in that period and as such, quite useful with my studies.

An engaging and thought-provoking read, 05 Nov 2003
Despite its length, the dramatic tensions of the story are maintained very well all the way through, making this a very readable novel. The emotional and moral blackmail inflicted on the heroine by Mr Harrel throughout the first part of the book is especially good, and the almost unstable character of young Delvile makes for an uneasy romance.
The characterisation is clever (Lady Honoria Pemberton is a gem) and there are no straightforward good or bad characters, which is refreshing for an 18th century novel. The breakdown of Cecilia’s character at the end is particularly moving.
For anybody who enjoyed Evelina, this is a more thought-provoking read, and some of the themes are an obvious influence on Jane Austen’s works, particularly Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

Long, but worth the effort., 04 Aug 1999
Extraordinarily long (over 900 pages) but gripping story of a girl who appears to have everything - wealth, beauty, brains and financial independence. Upon Cecilia's first arrival in London society the novel has a satirical tone, not inlike Jane Austen, but as the story progresses it becomes much darker and grimmer. Cecilia is exposed to the shallowness of her friends, the untrustworthiness of her guardians, the weakness of her lover, the snobbery of his relations and the decietful manipulation of the one man she thinks she can trust. The injustice and frustrations of her situation drive her to mental breakdown and her prized freedom turns out to be largely illusory. Well worth reading, and look out for her miserly but good-hearted and vivacious guardian, Mr Briggs.

An engaging and thought-provoking read, 05 Nov 2003
Despite its length, the dramatic tensions of the story are maintained very well all the way through, making this a very readable novel. The emotional and moral blackmail inflicted on the heroine by Mr Harrel throughout the first part of the book is especially good, and the almost unstable character of young Delvile makes for an uneasy romance.
The characterisation is clever (Lady Honoria Pemberton is a gem) and there are no straightforward good or bad characters, which is refreshing for an 18th century novel. The breakdown of Cecilia’s character at the end is particularly moving.
For anybody who enjoyed Evelina, this is a more thought-provoking read, and some of the themes are an obvious influence on Jane Austen’s works, particularly Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey.

Long, but worth the effort., 04 Aug 1999
Extraordinarily long (over 900 pages) but gripping story of a girl who appears to have everything - wealth, beauty, brains and financial independence. Upon Cecilia's first arrival in London society the novel has a satirical tone, not inlike Jane Austen, but as the story progresses it becomes much darker and grimmer. Cecilia is exposed to the shallowness of her friends, the untrustworthiness of her guardians, the weakness of her lover, the snobbery of his relations and the decietful manipulation of the one man she thinks she can trust. The injustice and frustrations of her situation drive her to mental breakdown and her prized freedom turns out to be largely illusory. Well worth reading, and look out for her miserly but good-hearted and vivacious guardian, Mr Briggs.