Evelina, Volume 3, Letters 11- 23 (72-84)

Summary
Evelina is on a mission and that mission is to avoid Lord Orville at all costs. In the past this mission would be more easily accomplished but since being guests together, Lord Orville is difficult to avoid and Evelina is finding it difficult to come up with excuses out of his invitations. Evelina is further upset when she finds that she is included in an anonymous poem, Beauties of the Wells as the most beautiful woman in town. Lord Orville’s polite jealousy is further revealed when she returns with Sir Clement who accosted her during a walk.
Lord Orville finally confronts Evelina about recent avoidance of him which has been driving him bonkers. When she reveals that she had no attachment to Sir Clement Lord Orville is relieved and eventually admits his love for her and Evelina can’t help but admit her similar feelings, hurray! But we still have more letters to go!
In rapid succession many mysteries are solved. Mr. Macartney finds out that his father is Sir Belmont (the same person who is the father of his great love) and Evelina happily informs him that they are then brother and sister. After many attempts from the determined Mrs Selwyn, Sir Belmont finally comes face to face with Evelina and instantly recognizes his wife’s face in Evelina. It is then determined that the nursemaid switched baby Evelina with her own daughter who Belmont raised and who Macartney fell in love with.
Everything is wrapped up nice and neatly in the end. Sir Clement admits to writing the letter which had set Evelina against Orville. Sir John grants both Evelinas (true and imposter) joint heiresses.  Mr Macartney marries Miss Belmont and the reverend sends Evelina his blessing to marry her Lord Orville.

Discuss
Oh my goodness our salons are at an end already!

Did anyone else find it ironic how Lord Orville and especially Sir Clement keep ending up in the same place as Evelina? Of course we’re discussing a fictional story here but it makes one wonder just how realistic that possibility could be. Fashionable/Aristocratic circles did travel to migrate a predictably as Monarch Butterflies so I did find myself wondering about how when it came to the ton, would the scenery change yet the people remain the same? Goodness, it’s like taking a vacation to Disney World and seeing all your coworkers there!

The whole incestuous situation of the Evelina, Mr Macartney, Miss Belmont affair is a bit confusing, especially when the pieces begin falling together. For we know about the unrequited love Mr Macartney had for a daughter of a baronet but her name was never mentioned. Once Evelina sees Mr Macartney’s reaction when “Miss Belmont” enters the pump room, almost all is revealed. Mr Macartney is the son of Sir Belmont making him half-brother to Evelina. He couldn’t marry Miss Belmont since he would be marrying a sister…however since she was a fraudulent daughter, in the overplayed words of Celine Dion, their "love will go on." Poor Miss Belmont. She may be getting the man she loves but she’s headed straight for a mental breakdown with all the adjustments she’s bound to encounter. That’s quite a transition to the middle class.

Meanwhile, Evelina and Lord Orville were able to admit their love of each other in a sigh-worthy scene in the Library of all places. It sets my nerdy heart all a flutter! How is this not yet a movie!

I’m sure many found the ending of Evelina a bit perplexing. For we have the end…or what should be the end, where we all find out we can get married and live happily ever after. But once again Captain Mirvin barges into the story and, finding there to be a genuine lack of Madame Duvals to torture, goes right ahead and delivers one last crowning prank on the foppish Mr Lovel, involving a monkey. As out of place this little side story seemed to be, I did enjoy the prank; there’s a few New York hipsters that could be humbled with that same prank nowadays, however I think they’d be in much better humor about it.

Through our many salons, I have loved hearing the opinions of everyone since they were so vast and different. The same is true of when the book was freshly released. According to the editor of the Broadview editions, Susan Howard, “The violence of several scenes disconcerted some readers but entertained others: Dr Burney and Samuel Crisp both found Lovel too harshly dealt with by Captain Mirvin and the monkey, but Mrs. Thrale and Dr Johnson were amused by Captain Mirvan’s practical jokes.” Aren’t we a literary circle of equivocal cleverness?!

I believe the best way to voice my final thoughts would be through the ingenious method presented by the site, Better Book Titles (Check out their version of Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Women). Here are two of my suggestions:

A big thank you to all who participated! Thursday was my favorite day of the week in June, I was absolutely delighted by the colorful conversation you all brought to the table. With that said, what are your final thoughts on Evelina?

Evelina, Volume 2, Letter 23- Volume 3 Letter 9 (54-71)

Summary
Buckle up kiddos, a lot happened!

While on an outing to Kensington gardens with the Branghtons and Madame Duval Evelina is horrified to once again spy Lord Orville also enjoying the gardens and tries to avoid him for fear of her party making spectacles of themselves again. Her efforts have to opposite effect and when her party realizes her connection to a rich man they insist on taking his coach home by using her name. Evelina wants to melt into the ground and die. The next day Evelina finds out that Tom Branghton broke one of the windows after she left the coach and he went to Lord Orville himself to apologize as well as promote his father’s service as a silversmith. So humiliated by the turn of events, Evelina breaks etiquette by initiating written contact to Lord Orville in order to apologize and explain what brought about the impropriety.
Rev Villars sends his friend Mrs. Clinton to pick up Evelina to bring her back home. The timing could not have been better since Madame Duval just stumbled upon M. Dubois proclaiming his love for the shocked Evelina.
Evelina is overjoyed to be back home with Rev Villars and following her arrival is a letter from Lord Orville assuring her that her actions didn’t offend and hinting that he has strong feelings for her. Initially Evelina is relieved but upon a second reading she is embarrassed for Lord Orville, realizing that the letter is uncharacteristically improper. She grows gloomy over her crush’s impropriety and goes to Bristol with a family friend, Mrs. Selwyn to regain her health.
While in Bristol Evelina meets another rake, Lord Merton, and finds Lord Orville is there as well. Much to Evelina’s surprise Lord Orville doesn’t bring up the letter and acts as he did before the written exchange. Mrs. Selwyn and Evelina then take up Mrs. Beaumont’s invitation to stay at her home where Lord Orville is a guest as well. One morning during her garden stroll Evelina runs into Mr. Macartney who wants advice about his love life. Lord Orville runs into the two and shows his jealous side, but still in a gentleman-like manner.

Discuss

Like Evelina, I was horrified that she was the only person in the party to see how inappropriate it was to borrow Lord Orville’s coach (what is wrong with these people!). The icing on the cake however was when young Branghton sticks his head out the closed window like idiot he is and breaks the coach window! However, I also enjoyed how, when hearing this, Evelina acted her age and ran away in a temper tantrum. She also did something else her age and impulsively wrote a note explaining herself to Lord Orville. Ah I remember doing something like that in middle school; it’s never a good decision. Evelina realizes this only after the letter has been sent. As you can probably judge by Evelina’s hindsight, a woman initiating written contact to a man outside the family is most improper, and a proper man such as Lord Orville should chose to ignore the impropriety. Like Evelina, I was both initially excited by Orville’s written response. But her fearful recollection of the impropriety had me going “No, no, no, no!” and putting my hands up slowly as if to avoid an accident (Can you tell I just want these two to end up together?). However, I see the logic and am also a little suspicious of the letter.

Soon the letter becomes this mammoth issue that almost seems blown out of proportion.  In a past salon (I can't recall which, now!) someone compared Evelina with Jersey Shore.  Anyone who has suffered through the second season of that show (aka Miami Shore) should know that the whole season revolved around a letter as well.  I can't help but compare!

So of course, Evelina should only run into Lord Orville again, in Bristol of all places, after swearing him off. At first she attempts to avoid him as best she can but the fact that he seems more attentive to her than ever in a company of haughty people has Evelina finding it difficult to avoid Lord Orville. After mistaking Mr Macartney for Evelina’s potential love-interest Lord Orville becomes a bit pesky. Could he be jealous? He then tells Evelina he sees her as a little sister, which adds a bit of some creep points to my personal Lord Orville roster. Do you believe that sister crap? I’m not convinced. Now that Evelina is more aloof with him it seems to bring out his true feelings for her.

This section of letters also introduces us to a new character. Mrs Selwyn. I am curious as to everyone’s thoughts on the lady. Evelina doesn’t seem too fond of her, and Mr Villars is known to not be much a fan (despite letting his daughter go with her). I however enjoy the woman’s intelligence and bluntness. She actually reminds me a bit of the author herself!  Many have noted how Burney was quite shy, however her letters were always full of strong opinions.  I like to think of Mrs Selwyn as Burney's inner-dialogue personified.  However, if questioned, I wonder if Burney would agree! What do you think?

Evelina, Volume 2, Letters 7-22 (38-53)

Summary
Reverend Villars reluctantly agrees to let Evelina stay with Madame Duval and the Branghtons in London for a month rather than let her allow her to return to France with the estranged grandmother. Evelina meets the Branghton’s boarder, Mr. Macartney, a poor Scottish poet. Later, Evelina comes across Mr. Macartney attempting, what she believes to be, suicide and she stops him. When Mr. Macartney recovers he is touched by Evelina’s kindness and is forever indebted to her.
While at Vauxhall with the Branghton brood and her new unwanted suitor, Mr. Smith, Evelina and the Miss Branghtons separate from the group. They are accosted by a group of brutes who manhandle Evelina. She is then saved by none other than Sir Clement. The persistent lover then manages to scheme his way into sharing a coach with Evelina so he can find out where she is staying.

Evelina finds herself back with the Branghtons in a pleasure garden, this time, Marybone-Gardens (aka Marylebone Gardens). Once again she becomes separated from the group and is rescued by two prostitutes. When Evelina and her two new friends find the party Evelina is horrified when the prostitutes decide to also join the party. Queue Lord Orville’s arrival to witness the motley crew. The next day Lord Orville arrives in Holborn to ask Evelina about the two women he saw her with and is relieved to find out that they aren’t normal acquaintances.

Discuss
The name of the game this week is “trashy” because that is all I can think of whenever the Branghtons are in the picture. They are so socially unaware of what is acceptable. If I were to travel back in time, I know I would make a few social faux-pas due to the contemporary rules of etiquette but the Branghtons crass-ness transcends time to the point where I am aghast. When the awful Madame Duval told them her sad tale of the Captain’s haywire prank the Branghtons all laugh at her! I think we all know what they really think of their French relative now.

Evelina’s letter from June 10 (XXII) is packed with all sort of juice. It begins with an invitation from Mr. Smith to the Hampstead assembly which Evelina must decline as it would not be proper for her to attend unchaperoned (plus, ew!). Mr Smith has let on that he is more refined than the trashy Branghtons but hillbillies tend to habitate with other hillbillies, and Smith reveals himself as just as unrefined as them by not understanding the impropriety in inviting Evelina.

In a letter dated the following day Evelina writes to the Reverend with some disturbing news. The Scottish lodger made a suicide attempt virtually before Evelina’s eyes and had she not been there, he would have probably succeeded. The character of Macartney is a bit mysterious (I personally picture him to look somewhat like John Keats) and these major events cement him in Burney’s tale. But we as readers haven’t the faintest idea what Burney has in store for us with regards to Mr. Macartney just yet.

Evelina is unfortunate enough to have two negative pleasure garden experiences. These London gardens aren’t very pleasurable for her (ba-dum dish)! In the first, she is mistaken for an actress, aka prostitute, by some ruffians, and once again has no choice but to be saved by Sir Clement. The free license these men take with Evelina was pretty eye-opening to how women, particularly those alone were treated by men. At Marylebone it is those “actresses” whom Evelina was previously mistaken for who now save Evelina from men with ill-intentions (no wonder women didn’t go anywhere by themselves). It seems like this occasion was the one time Sir Clement didn’t happen to be around; but I did just die for Evelina when Lord Orville appeared. The poor thing. I am sure she wants him back in her life just as much as I, but not like this, no not at all. However, the fact that he checked in on her the day after their reunion had my hopes up. I was also quite impressed that he was able to find her despite only knowing she was in Holborn. It brought to mind Pride and Prejudice 1995 when Mr. Darcy was scouring the streets of London for Lydia and Wickham. Now where’s that fainting sofa?

Evelina’s time with her dear grandmamma is almost up. That means no more London no more Branghtons. Madame Duval still thinks that she can manage to bring Evelina to Paris, but neither she nor her guardian are going to let that happen. Yet we are halfway through the book. What are your predictions for when Evelina is freed from this trashy crowd? And more importantly, Evelina just reunited with Lord Orville, what will become of the two’s relationship when Evelina leaves London?  And do we even care? I know I do but it seems many of our readers just aren't as smitten with Lord Orville as I.

In this grouping of chapters we are also introduced to many of the attractions of London of the time, many of which are gone now.  All the famous pleasure gardens Evelina manages to visit yet she also manages to have a bad experience there.  Has this book changed your view on  the highly romanticized London pleasure gardens?   (I'd still go!)

Evelina, Letters 21- Volume 2, Letter 6 (21- 37)

Summary
This series of letters opens with Evelina’s account of her humiliating trip to the opera with the pushy Branghton family. To escape the public humiliation she allows Sir Clement to bring her home but instantly regrets her decision when Lord Orville sees them together. On the carriage ride back Sir Clement makes advances on Evelina causing her to almost jump out of the carriage. She is further embarrassed when she arrives safely to the Mirvins to find Lord Orville had arrived earlier out of concern for her.

The group returns to Howard Grove this time with Captain Mirvan and Madame Duval, who are making the atmosphere uncomfortable for everyone else, especially Evelina who feels responsibility for the presence of her grandmother. Madame Duval comes up with a scheme to sue Evelina's estranged father, Sir Belmont so that he will acknowledge Evelina as his daughter, a crass move that everyone except Madame Duval can see will have embarrassing effects. Lady Howard manages to stop Madame Duval by writing to the gentleman herself but Sir Belmont’s response returns, rejecting the proposal of meeting with Evelina.
In the meantime Evelina is very displeased when Sir Clement comes to visit, invited by Captain Mirvin in order to jointly make Madame Duval’s stay miserable. The two proceed with a complicated prank of faking a robbery and a kidnapping of her companion, M. DuBois.

Discuss
Is it any surprise to you that Madame Duval and the Braghtons are related? Their behavior leading up to and at the opera was just insane. Had Mr. Braghton but read the Gossip Guide he would know not to leave during the first act. I honestly couldn’t blame Evelina for running away with Sir Clement, even I subsided my hate for him and silently encouraged her to get away from that awful company. But boy were we both deceived! We all know about riding in cars with boys and must remember those rules apply to carriages as well. As Susan Howard notes in my edition of Evelina, Willoughby had ordered the driver to drive east rather than to the West End where Queen-ann-street is. I was genuinely concerned for our Evelina…we all know what happened to Clarissa!

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Captain Mirvin and Sir Clement are their own little fraternity? That extravagant prank with Madame Duval confirmed it my mind. Which gets me thinking: there are movie adaptions of Shakespeare’s and Austen’s works set in modern times. Could Evelina be set in our times? Sir Clement is that privileged frat boy and Lord Orville is that cool guy you’re always flustered in front of.  But I digress.  The prank also leaves Evelina, once again, alone in a carriage with Sir Clement who continues his efforts to desperately seduce her. But the part of this haywire prank what really got me was Madame Duval's reaction afterward, “Her feet were soon disentangled; and then, though with great difficulty, I assisted her to rise. But what was my astonishment, when, the moment she was up, she hit me a violent slap on the face!” Bitch! I would have told her to have fun finding her way back home (although I would have been equally upset to lose a wig). That would have been the last straw for me.

Our weekly salon draws to a close with the news that Sir Belmont will not see Evelina which is more of a relief to her than anything. But what I am left wondering is just how much more Madame Duval can Evelina take? Why oh why does she still put up with her, and why doesn't the Reverend do more when he finds out about the new level of abuse Evelina has dealt with?  Last week (when Evelina's stories were not nearly as horrifying) many were surprised that the Reverand didn't quickly bring Evelina home.  Honestly, Mrs Mirvin is a saint for having Duval as a guest. Also, were you excited that Lord Orville came to see Evelina off and just as quickly disappointed by the utter lack of courtesy he had to endure?

My lingering question is, why does Sir Clement persist in attempting to seduce Evelina.  He has already made it clear that his interest in her isn't honorable; so why bother.  It seems like a hopeless cause in my mind.  Could he possibly and actually be in love with her?

...and Congratulations to Erin Blakemore whose name I drew for a copy of the book! Email me with your address and I'll mail it off to you!

Evelina Character Guide

There are many characters we come across in Evelina, some of which disappear and reappear. Some may find it a bit helpful to have a bit of a guide in telling everyone apart.

Miss Evelina Anville is the daughter of Lady Caroline Belmont (nee Evelyn) and Sir John Belmont whom she has been estranged from. She has been raised by her guardian, Reverend Villars, who is like a father to her. She is pretty, with a good heart, but considered naïve due to living a safe and sheltered childhood.
Reverend Arthur Villars is Evelina’s father-figure. He is very protective of his adoptive daughter and has shielded her from many of the world’s evils. It is the Reverend Villars whom Evelina address most of her letters.
Lady Howard is the good friend of Reverend Villars and mother of Mrs. Mirvan. She lives at Howard Grove.
Mrs. Mirvan is like a mother to Evelina. She invites Evelina to stay with her in London and introduce her to society.
Miss Maria Mirvan is Evelina’s best friend.
Captain Mirvan is a retired captain in the navy who is the father of Evelina’s friend Maria. He is the comedic representation of John Bull, the average French-hating, humor-loving Englishman.
Sir Clement Willoughby is an egotistical baronet who represents the personality of many aristocrats of the time. He makes it his personal mission to seduce the naïve young country girl, Evelina who finds his personality repugnant.
Lord Orville is an earl who stands out to Evelina due his good morals and non-foppish or hedonistic ways. He is handsome and noble and Evelina finds herself flustering her words every time she is in his presence.
Mr. Lovel is the definition of a fop. He makes Evelina’s life miserable after she declines a dance invitation from him, not knowing it is social suicide.
Madame Duval is Evelina’s estranged maternal grandmother from France. She disapproves of Evelina’s raising and wants to take over her care.
M. Dubois is the male companion of Madam Duval.
The Branghtons are a low-bred family who Madame Duval introduces to Evelina as more estranged relations. They own a silversmith's shop in High Holborn. Despite Evelina’s naivety to society she is embarrassed by their lack of class.
Mr. Macartney is poor Scottish poet, who boards with the Branghtons. Evelina takes pity on him and befriends him.
Lord Merton is another rakish peer who remains a bit of a mystery until Evelina finally learns his name. Based on her past experiences with aristocrats of the same personality Evelina is untrusting of him.
Mrs. Selwyn A neighbor to Berry Hill, Mrs Selwyn is very opinionated but lady of society who means well
Mrs. Beaumont an elderly lady of the upper class and friend to Mrs. Selwyn

Homes
Berry Hill Home of Evelina and Rev Villars
Howard Grove Home of Lady Howard and occasionally the Mirvan family
Clifton Hill Home of Mrs. Beaumont

Evelina, Volume 1 Letters 1-20 and Giveaway

Summary
Our story opens with a letter from Lady Howard to her dear friend Rev. Villars concerning his ward, Evelina. Lady Howard reports that Evelina’s estranged French grandmother Madame Duvall intends to renew her acquaintance with Evelina. Rev. Villars nixes the idea right away. Lady Howard writes back to invite Evelina to stay with her, her daughter (Mrs. Mirvan) and her granddaughter (Maria, Evelina’s bff) which the Reverend eventually agrees to. Shortly after Evelina’s arrival the Mirvans receive word they must meet with Captain Mirvan in London and they bring Evelina, who has never been to London.
Evelina is dazzled by London and makes many social errors. At a ball she insults the macaroni, Mr. Lovell and is flustered by the handsome Lord Orville due to his civilities. Lord Orville, in a very Darcy-like manner, refers to Evelina as a “poor weak girl” but still defends her when Mr. Lovell vengefully sets himself against her after Evelina’s unintentional slight. She also meets Sir Clement Willoughby whose attentions are very unwelcome to Evelina.
The next day the group has an accidentally meeting with non-other than Evelina’s estranged grandmother, Madame Duvall who automatically becomes the butt of Captain Mirvin’s jokes. Madame Duvall is pushy and unpleasant but becomes a regular part of the party due to Mrs. Mirvin’s kindness. Madame Duvall wants to take Evelina to Paris to bring her up in French society but the idea isn’t attractive to anyone. She also introduces Evelina to her nephew, Mr. Branghton’s family who lives in Holburn. The family is animated and open to their new cousin but Evelina finds them crude and trashy.
As Evelina prepares to leave London with the Mirvans she is surprised by a visit from Lord Orville in which he expresses sadness at her departure. Evelina is shocked and attempts to deduce whether his sentiment is one of courtesy or true feelings.

Discuss
After the necessary background introductions from Lady Howard and Rev. Villars Evelina finally begins her letter diary. Her initial letters are blooming with the excitement you can expect a teenage girl to have upon her first visit to London. I particularly enjoy how she talks about the process of getting her hair done-up with all the primping and teasing (“When I shall be able to make use of a comb for myself, I cannot tell…”), which was also something the character Julia spoke of initially in The Sylph. However, unlike Julia who hated the process, Evelina is amazed by it and seems to like playing dress-up.

The ball, oh the ball! Is where most of the action happens so it is difficult to know where to begin. I guess we should say firstly, this is not only where the plot begins but where we are introduced to two main and foil characters, Lord Orville and Sir Clement Willoughby. Many have noted on the event’s similarity to Austen’s scene where Lizzy and Mr Darcy meet at the Meryton Assembly in Pride and Prejudice. Just as Darcy tells his bro how Lizzy isn’t pretty enough to tempt him, the equally hunky Lord Orville proclaims, after dancing with her all night, that Evelina is “a poor weak girl.” Ouch!

I don’t know about you, but every time Madame Duval opens her mouth I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I feel as though I am standing next Evelina, equally helpless; which shows the timelessness of the book. Doesn’t most everyone have that friend who seems to forget to act their age and proceeds to cause a scene in a group of people/friends causing that awkward situation where others are trying to cover up for their impropriety? That’s where it is handy to have a Captain Mirvin! The Captain certainly has me laughing aloud many times. Of course he is just as immature as Madame Duval, and as a *ahem* civilized young lady I shouldn’t approve of his antics. Oh but I do…I do! How about you?

What are your first impressions of the characters? Evelina, Lord Orville, Mr Lovell, Madame Duval, the Capatin, etc?

Jane Austen was a fan of Burney’s work; do you think her Meryton Assembly was a direct reference or homage to Evelina?

[Anyone participating in our premiere salon is qualified to win a copy of Oxford World's Classic's Evelina (unless you note that you don't need a copy)!  The winner will be announced at next week's salon.  Good luck!]

The Evelina Group Read Rundown

With a week to go until our first salon I hope everyone has officially has begun reading Evelina.  I should also probably tell all those participating how I will go about conducting our book group, so here it goes!

The Layout
For those who participated in The Sylph Group Read last year, the layout should seem familiar.  I like to keep things casual; grab some tea (or beer, whatever floats your boat) and kick up your heels.  You can bring up the deep meaning or symbolism of this and that or you can just gossip casually. It's up to you!

Just as in 18th century salons where hot topics were discussed and gossiped about, I hope everyone won't be too shy to contribute a comment or two, even if it's as simple as "I thought this was interesting" or "That, Lady Ann, what a fox!" A good discussion is our goal, because it's always fun to gush over books together!

For those who have read ahead, remember not to ruin the story for others. Please only discuss what has happened up until that point in the plot. So for example, if we are on Letter 10, please don't go on about how the actions in that chapter effect something in Letter 23. We can wait until Letter 23 to chat about that together!

Most importantly, have fun! You're not getting a grade for this group discussion so get cozy; if you think a character is being a dick, well then say it! The more varied minds there are the more fun gossiping we will have.

The Salons
Every Thursday in the month of June I will put up a post for the letters (or chapters) we will be discussing that week.  Many editions of Evelina are broken up into three volumes.  For the editions that are not divided into volumes I have put those chapters in parentheses.
2 June: Volume 1 Letters 1-20
9 June: Volume 1 Letter 21- Volume 2 Letter 6 (21-37)
16 June: Volume 2 Letter 7- 22 (38-53)
23 June: Volume 2 Letter 23- Volume 3 Letter 9 (54-71)
30 June: Volume 3 Letter 10-23 (72-84)
I have put all these dates on a Google calendar in case that is helpful for some.


If anything is unclear, please feel free to ask.  I can't wait to see you all next Thursday!

Announcing the Evelina Group Read

Gentle Readers,

I am very excited to make the long-await announcement for a group read of Fanny Burney's first novel which she published anonymously, Evelina, or a History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World.  The book was a big success and even an inspiration to Jane Austen.  Queen Charlotte liked the book so much she hired Fanny as a Keeper of the Robes, much to Fanny's chagrin.  But who can say "no" to the queen; especially when she is your fan!  Now it's our turn to find out if we enjoy Fanny's wit as much as Queen Charlotte (my money is on "yes") with the Evelina Group Read.


Book Editions
Our salons will meet once a week (every Thursday) here to discuss designated chapters but that doesn't mean you can't get a head-start now!  Many local libraries may just have this classic in their stacks.  Amazon also has many affordable editions of the book from Penguin Classic, Oxford World Classics, Norton, and Broadview (which I personally enjoyed).  GirleBooks has an ebook version for free.  Lauren even found an audiobook from SilkSoundBooks in which Judi Dench is one of the readers; doesn't that sound awesome?  Our group read will also offer participants and opportunity to win a copy of the soon-to-be treasured book!

Calendar
Mark your calendar, the tentative salon schedule is as follows:
2 June: Volume 1 Letters 1-20
9 June: Volume 1 Letter 21- Volume 2 Letter 6
16 June: Volume 2 Letter 7- 22
23 June: Volume 2 Letter 23- Volume 3 Letter 9
30 June: Volume 3 Letter 10-23

So who is with me?  The more the merrier I say!  Please don't let anyone miss out on your wit!  Sign up below via the Mr. Linky widgit (hit refresh if you don't see it below).  Stay tuned to the blog for more details.  I can't wait!

Save the Date(s)

For those who posted their opinions on the Evelina Group Read, thank you!  Your input was a big help!  I have decided to hold the group read in June since that was a popular month and if I began setting it up for April it would become a rush-job.  By popular request we will hold salons once a week (probably Thursdays) which will give us plenty of material for our witty discussions.  More details will be released with the official announcement.

On a fun note, are there any suggestions for the group read logo image?  I was thinking of using Hoppner's Young Woman as Evelina (pictured) but will take any suggestions!  The Sylph Group Read featured Eliza Sheridan who appropriately graced the cover of the Librifile book. Is there an appropriate representation for the noble and naive Evelina?

Excuse the Interuption

I had a poll a little while ago asking if readers would be interested in another book group, this time with the fabulously entertaining, Evelina by Fanny Burney.  The book is a must-read for Janites and 18th century fans, so there is plenty to discuss among friends, hence the idea of having a group read.  But before I begin piecing together another salon I needed potential participants' input.  Keep in mind Evelina is about 450 pages long but I had no problem reading it in a month despite a busy schedule.  Have any helpful input?  Excited by the prospect? Please leave me a comment!