Evelina ~ Francis Burney

Narrated by Dame Judi Dench, Finty Williams, Geoffrey Palmer  (4)

 (pub. 1778  p.455)   Classic    (Dorset/ London/ Bristol)

I don’t usually like epistolary novels, but I appreciated this one as it is so well read and the language usage is a delight to listen to.  Though it reads as satire, it’s rather interesting to be dropped down amongst the strictures and customs of the early 18^th century.  Anyone that struggles with period pieces where young women are not emancipated nor empowered should sidestep this book.  The audiobook is long, at 16 and ½  hours, and the story becomes slightly convoluted before Francis Burney manages to get all her characters lined up to enjoy an anticipated ending.

Evelina is like reading an earlier times, slightly rough around the edges, Jane Austen.  I’ll be handing this to my Pride and Prejudice appreciating daughter to enjoy.