FANNY BURNEY Ultimate Collection (ePub)

Frances Burney (1752-1840), also known as Fanny Burney and after her marriage as Madame d'Arblay, was an English satirical novelist, diarist, and playwright. She was born in King's Lynn, England, to a musical historian father, Charles Burney, and her strong literary upbringing paved the way for her future success as a writer. Her keen observation, wit, and narrative talent rendered her one of the most significant forerunners to 19th-century English novelists, influencing Jane Austen among others. Burney's early novels, such as 'Evelina' (1778) and 'Cecilia' (1782), portray the lives of English aristocrats and satirize their social pretensions. Her work is characterized by its vivid depictions of society, and it examines the limitations placed on women in the 18th century. Her novels entail a detailed and novelistic approach, combining both comedy and critical commentary. Known for her sharp portrayals of female experience, Burney's writings enabled her to interact with prominent figures of her time, including Dr. Samuel Johnson and Edmund Burke. Throughout her career, she was also an acute observer of the court life, which she chronicled in her diaries. Her collection, often titled 'FANNY BURNEY Ultimate Collection,' includes these diaries, letters, and her oeuvre of novels, providing a comprehensive overview of her literary contributions. In sum, Burney's work is essential for understanding the development of the English novel and the position of women in the literary field of the 18th century.