Policy and Passion (ePub)

Rosa Caroline Praed, née Murray-Prior, was an Australian novelist born on March 27, 1851, in Bromelton, Queensland. Her work reflects her heritage; she was among the earliest Australian women writers to achieve significant literary recognition internationally. Praed moved to England in 1876 where she would spend the majority of her life, and where her literary career flourished. A prolific writer, she published over 40 novels, incorporating themes that ranged from feminism and social criticism to spiritualism and the supernatural, often drawing on her own experiences and observations of colonial life and the position of women in society.

Her novel 'Policy and Passion' highlights her characteristic blend of romance with political and social commentary, exploring the complexities of love, power, and societal expectations within the framework of Australian settler society. Praed's literary style often involved a subtle critique of the gender inequalities and cultural conflicts of her time, using the novel as a vehicle to express her views on marriage, women's autonomy, and the intersections between personal and political realms. Her work remains an important part of 19th-century Australian literature and provides valuable insight into the early cultural and social fabric of Australia. Praed passed away on April 10, 1935, in London, but her contribution to literature continues to be studied and appreciated for its historic and cultural significance.