Tales and Novels — Volume 4
Apr 2018 · CLASSICS TO GO · Otbebookpublishing
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "PREFACE The prevailing taste of the public for anecdote has been censured and ridiculed by critics who aspire to the character of superior wisdom; but if we consider it in a proper point of view, this taste is an incontestable proof of the good sense and profoundly philosophic temper of the present times. Of the numbers who study, or at least who read history, how few derive any advantage from their labours! The heroes of history are so decked out by the fine fancy of the professed historian; they talk in such measured prose, and act from such sublime or such diabolical motives, that few have sufficient taste, wickedness, or heroism, to sympathize in their fate. Besides, there is much uncertainty even in the best authenticated ancient or modern histories; and that love of truth, which in some minds is innate and immutable, necessarily leads to a love of secret memoirs and private anecdotes..."
About the author
Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) was a pioneering Anglo-Irish writer whose works bridged the gap between 18th-century Enlightenment ideals and 19th-century Romanticism. Born in Oxfordshire, England, and later moving to Ireland, Edgeworth was deeply influenced by her father, Richard Lovell Edgeworth, an inventor and educational reformer. Her upbringing in a progressive household imbued her with a keen interest in social issues, education, and gender equality, themes that permeate her extensive body of work.Edgeworth's novels and stories are celebrated for their vivid characterizations and incisive social commentary. She was a trailblazer in children's literature, with works like "The Parent's Assistant" setting new standards for the genre. Her adult fiction, including "Castle Rackrent" and "Belinda," tackled complex issues such as class disparity, colonialism, and women's rights, making her one of the first novelists to address these topics with nuance and empathy.Her influence extended to contemporaries and later writers, including Sir Walter Scott, who credited her with inspiring his own historical novels. Despite her acclaim, Edgeworth was not without controversy; her depictions of Irish life and characters were sometimes criticized for perpetuating stereotypes, reflecting the complexities of her Anglo-Irish identity.Maria Edgeworth's legacy endures as a writer who not only entertained but also provoked thought and debate, challenging her readers to reconsider their views on society and morality. Her innovative spirit and commitment to social progress continue to resonate, making her a figure of enduring relevance in literary history.
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