Reading with the Burneys: Patronage, Paratext, Performance

The Element explores reading practice and sibling rivalry in late eighteenth-century Britain through the case study of Charles Burney's treatment of his sister Frances Burney's debut novel, Evelina (1778). It uses manuscript poetry, letters, and marginalia, along with illustrative prints and circulating library archives, to tell the story of how Charles attempted to control Evelina's reception to bolster his own socio-literary status.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Element presents a comprehensive exploration of reading practices and sibling rivalry in late eighteenth-century Britain through a case study of Charles Burney's treatment of his sister Frances Burney's debut novel, Evelina (1778). Drawing on Charles Burney's manuscript poetry, letters, and marginalia, as well as illustrative prints and circulating library archives, Coulombeau narrates how Charles Burney sought to influence Evelina's reception to enhance his own socio-literary status. By integrating literary studies, biography, bibliography, and the history of the book, the Element significantly enriches our understanding of the reception of Frances Burney's fiction, with broader implications for gender, class, kinship, and reading in this period. Additionally, this title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core, making it accessible to a wider audience.

ISBN-13: 9781009439510