Camilla (The ^AWorld's Classics)

Though there may have been a few slight annoyances about this book (Dr. Marchmont, Edgar's suspicious nature), for the most part, it was highly readable and very well-written. The Eugenia subplot was fascinating and the characters were well-rounded and interesting (especially Sir Sedley Clarendel, who I thought showed a lot of potential, and who was much more than the fop he appeared to be). I should warn you (especially everybody new to Burney)that it starts fairly slowly, but the plot really picks up a couple hundred pages in. There were several times that I got so into reading it (especially the last 200 pages) that I ignored homework or other things that I was expected to do. Altogether, I highly recommend Camilla to anyone who wants to read something engaging, entertaining and different.

This is a long novel, but well worth the effort. If you like Jane Austen then you should find this a rewarding book to read.

Although this book may seem intimidating due to its length, it kept me entertained the whole time. I am a huge Jane Austen fan, and I had also read Burney's Evelina. After reading Camilla, I have found an author that I enjoy as much as Jane Austen: Fanny Burney. Burney's works seem neglected by Hollywood; while reading this novel, I kept imagining what a great role some of the characters would provide for a movie. (However, I couldn't think of one scene which I wouldn't be disappointed to have left out in a screenplay of normal length.) Camilla's uncle (Sir Hugh Tyrold), her brother Lionel, and various suitors actually had me laughing out loud. This book is 1000 pages entirely composed of "the good parts" of Jane Austen's novels. I felt like I was there in the world of Camilla. I cringed everytime Camilla did something that Edgar, her love interest, interpreted in the wrong way. It was almost painful, and I could sympathize. It is a great novel which should be a part of the library of any fan of Austen or 18th century literature.

Along with Belinda and The History of Sir Charles Grandison, essential reading for all Jane Austen enthusiasts. In Camilla you will find Austen's inspiration for many different characters and situations. The 17 year old heroine of the novel is Burney's most enchanting. Her adventures are rich and surprising.The color of the 18th century infuses this book. Bring handkerchiefs, for there is pathos aplenty, but in a pure, non-cloying form. Eugenia, the stunted and unlovely but spiritually and intellectually exquisite sister of Camilla provides the soul of the book. This book contains suspense, glamour, romance, great wisdom and greater folly. Anyone who adores 18th C lit. will be sorry to turn the last page, though a thousand preceded it. In many ways this is Burney's happiest and most hopeful book. It was written as she was celebrating her liberation from spinsterhood into the estate of a married woman at age 40. We would be very lucky if anyone ever thought to turn this one into a film.

Although Fanny Burney has somehow managed for a long time to escape the public's eye, I'm pleased to see that she is returning in popularity...or at least her name is known. For any Austen readers out there, Burney is a harder, harsher critic of society, and, in some ways, a wittier one. I do not wish to take anything from Austen, of course, because she is a stunning writer in her own right, and believed to have legitimized the novel. Somehow, though, Burney gets left in the dust, despite Austen's mention of her in several novels, and significantly in _Northanger Abbey_. In other words, I recommend Burney as a great read for those who have the humor to take her and her critical eye of 18th century society.