Ready Reference Treatise: Evelina

“Evelina” is an epistolary novel, in three volumes. Evelina the title character happens to be the daughter of a dissipated English aristocrat, but she is not acknowledged as the legitimate daughter.

Evelina lives in a rural area until her 17th year, almost in seclusion. The story presents a number of humorous events which take place in London and the resort town of Hotwells, near Bristol. Evelina happens to have experienced these events, and as a result she learns to move along the 18th century complex English society.

Evelina finally enables herself to win the love of a distinguished nobleman. The story of the novel is highly sentimental.