Anyone read "Evelina" by Fanny Burney?

[MsAmerica]

I been wanting to read this for about two years now, finally got a copy (which looked to be untouched) via an inter-library loan. But I'm so disappointed! Being a huge admirer of Jane Austen, I was really looking forward to this. But the heroine is such a dithering ninny that it's hard to get past that.

Yes, but I think it reminded me more of the 'sensation' novels like Lady Audley and East Lynne more than anything by Jane Austen. I personally enjoy those sort of novels, and they're my guilty pleasure, even if they are a load of guff

I had to read this in third year uni. I believe in my final report I said that the heroine had annoyed me so much I threw the book across the room. My professor was impressed.

I read it and parts of it several times for my dissertation. It had such a profound effect on me that I just had to look it up!

I read it years ago. I enjoyed it, but it's not a patch on Jane Austen - and it makes you appreciate how radically she altered the course of the novel.

I enjoyed it, but no, it's not as good as Austen (but nothing is, is it?). :)

If you want good novels with some great female characters, Wilkie Collins is your man.

Thanks to all! Nandocushion, I felt the same way, but since this was a pristine copy entrusted to me from a library a thousand miles away, I couldn't callously throw it across the room!
Yes, I agree that it's not a patch of Austen, more's the pity. But even though the heroine was an unendurable ninny, I did enjoy some of the bits that reflected the times - such as the dilemma of being stranded in a place, with the conventions neither permitting her to stay there alone, nor to accept a ride from a gentleman acquaintance. And I just liked the idea of it becoming an immediate bestseller of its day.

Is it interesting? Because you have intrigued me.

This is free on Kindle right now.