Evelina

Evelina, or the History of a Young Lady’s Entrance into the World is Frances Burney’s witty and satirical epistolary novel, first published in 1778. A landmark in 18th-century literature, the novel follows the beautiful but socially inexperienced Evelina Anville as she is introduced to London society and must navigate the complexities of class, manners, and marriage.

Raised in rural obscurity, Evelina encounters both the glitter and the cruelty of fashionable life. As she moves between awkward social encounters, romantic confusion, and her search for her rightful family, her moral integrity and wit guide her through a world obsessed with appearances.

Combining romance, social criticism, and comedy, Evelina influenced writers such as Jane Austen and continues to captivate readers with its charm, intelligence, and portrait of Georgian England.