Kathleen in VA Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Ds19 just asked me this and I wasn't quite sure how to answer him. I read somewhere, can't remember where now, that she read some epistolary novels by someone, can't remember who now, and she must have read a gothic novel or two. Anyone have any specific titles? I'd love to know, too. When I google this question, all I get are Jane Austen's novels:001_huh:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 You might find some info here: Republic of Pemberley Literary Companion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Epistolary novels were very popular, and Clarissa is the original. Go ahead and read an abridged version; you'll never know the difference. Pamela is another famous one. The classic Gothic novels would include Mrs. Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho ("the horrid black veil!") and The Italian, and Walpole's Castle of Otranto. You'd also want to read Fanny Burney's Evelina and Cecilia, and perhaps Fielding's comedy classic Tom Jones, which is a little less refined. Those are all famous titles which you can get at the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Fanny Burney, Samuel Johnson and Henry Fielding most certainly were major influences among others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 I have no clue, but what a great question. Thanks to everyone who answered - I can sleep soundly now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yeah - wasn't Austen's first work (Northanger Abby - written first and published last...if i am wrong i know ya'all will set e stratight!) a spoof of those 'gothic" novels girls like her were reading? (Pamela - the "Twilight" of its day! ;)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Hee, yes, Northanger Abbey poked fun at the Gothic novels, esp. Udolpho, which was a smash hit of the time. Very Twilight. Pamela is a novel about a young girl preserving her virtue in the face of difficulty (in the form of an insistent master in the house she serves in). Very topical for its day! Oh yeah, and Samuel Johnson definitely goes on the list. Try some of his magazine articles, like the Rambler/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Readsalot Posted August 12, 2008 Share Posted August 12, 2008 Several of her characters names come from this book. As it is said that she and Tom Lefoy discussed Tom Jones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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