BROADCASTS.com

The Wanderer

by Fanny BURNEY (1752 - 1840)

chapter 57

This is the fourth and final novel by Fanny Burney, the author of Evelina, Cecilia, and Camilla. "Who is "Miss Ellis?" Why did she board a ship from France to England at the beginning of the French revolution? Anyway, the loss of her purse made this strange "wanderer" dependent upon the charity of some good people and, of course, bad ones. But she always comforts herself by reminding herself that it's better than "what might have been..." This is not only a mystery, not at all. It's also a romance which reminds readers of novels by Jane Austen. Published in 1814, the same year as Mansfield Park, it shares some themes with it. It is also very modern, speaking freely of independent women (like Elinor), weak male characters, and unrequited love. Yes, a love triangle is lurking behind the scenes, and, in this case, it is not clear if the happy ending is suitable. At the time when it was published, critics did not like this political novel, and said that the difficulties which "Ellis" faced while trying to support herself were clearly fictional. However, don't let this deter you. It's a wonderful and mature novel, ahead of it's time by about 100 years. Happy reading! (Summary by Stav Nisser)This project was proof listened by Elaine Webb and TriciaG.

---

Listen next episodes of The Wanderer:
chapter 58 , chapter 59 , chapter 60 , chapter 61 , chapter 62 , chapter 63 , chapter 64 , chapter 65 , chapter 66 , chapter 67 , chapter 68 , chapter 69 , chapter 70 , chapter 71 , chapter 72 , chapter 73 , chapter 74 , chapter 75 , chapter 76 , chapter 77 , chapter 78 , chapter 79 , chapter 80 , chapter 81 , chapter 82 , chapter 83 , chapter 84 , chapter 85 , chapter 86 , chapter 87 , chapter 88 , chapter 89 , chapter 90 , chapter 91 , chapter 92