The Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay
by Fanny Burney
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Born into a musical family as the daughter of Charles Burney, Frances 'Fanny' Burney (1752-1840) opted for a life of letters. Her epistolary novel Evelina generated both sensation and sales upon its appearance early in 1778, and when her identity as the author was soon revealed, it opened the door to intellectual circles frequented by the likes of Samuel Johnson and fellow diarist Hester Thrale. Appearing under her married name of Madame d'Arblay, her witty and candid journals and show more correspondence, from her breakthrough until her final years, were edited by her niece Charlotte Barrett (1786-1870) and first published in seven volumes between 1842 and 1846. Reissued here is the new edition of 1854, including biographical notes. Volume 3 covers the period from July 1786 to December 1787, during which she reluctantly took up an onerous court appointment to Queen Charlotte. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This isn’t, as the title implies, extracts of Madame d’Arblay’s (aka Frances Burney) diary, coupled with selections of her letters.
Instead, it’s something of a mixed bag, written by another author. We get an overview of Burney’s life, plus some opinions of her novels and writing style. None of her letters are featured.
Not what I was expecting, but the book isn’t a bad read.
Instead, it’s something of a mixed bag, written by another author. We get an overview of Burney’s life, plus some opinions of her novels and writing style. None of her letters are featured.
Not what I was expecting, but the book isn’t a bad read.
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Trinity College Booklist (1951): Class Six, Biography
119 works; 4 members
Books Featured in Jane Austen's Bookshelf
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Author Information
97+ Works 5,594 Members
Frances ("Fanny") Burney 1752 - 1840 Frances Burney also known as Fanny Burney and, after her marriage, as Madame d'Arblay, was an English novelist, diarist and playwright. She was born on June 13, 1752 and wrote four novels (Evelina, Cecilia, Camilla and The Wanderer). Her first novel was written anonymously in 1778, without her father¿s show more knowledge or permission. After it became a literary success, she admitted to her father that she was the author. Her novels were read by many, including Jane Austen whose title Pride and Prejudice was formed from reading the last pages of Burney's novel, Cecilia. Burney is more well known for her journals. She kept a diary for 72 years. In these diaries she recounts a first-hand look at English society in the 18th Century. In 1810 when she suffered from breast pain, it was believed that she had breast cancer; she elected to have a mastectomy performed. This procedure is retold in her journals, and as there was no anesthesia at the time and she was conscious throughout, the entries for this mastectomy are very compelling. In 1793 Burney married General Alexandre d'Arblay, a French general to Lafayette. They had one child, Alexander. In her later years, Burney lived in Bath, England. She is buried there in Walcot Cemetery with her husband and son. Burney died on January 6, 1840 at 87 years of age. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Popularity
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- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (4.00)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- ASINs
- 3
