EvelinaEvelina
Score Classic
What it's about
Told in letters, Frances Burney's first novel follows a sheltered young woman's entrance into society and her experience of family.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. Its comedy runs from rough practical jokes to witty repartee that influenced Austen.
You'll love it if you liked
Pride and Prejudice
Sense and Sensibility
CranfordGood to know
It was published in 1778, and it's told in letters.
By the numbers
- Readers24 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller5 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
If you like this, read next
Lonesome Dove
Sophie's Choice
Rebecca
The Brothers Karamazov
The Thorn Birds
From Here to EternityExplore the best-of lists
All 47 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Evelina worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #2,782 of the 3,056 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 57.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Evelina about?
Told in letters, Frances Burney's first novel follows a sheltered young woman's entrance into society and her experience of family.
How long does it take to read Evelina?
About 17 hours (698 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Evelina?
If you liked it, try Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen or Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell.