The History of Jemmy and Jenny Jessamy [3 volumes]

by Eliza Fowler Haywood

The author of over eighty novels, plays, and volumes of poetry, Eliza Haywood is one of the most prolific and high-profile female authors of the eighteenth century. Her last novel, The History of Jemmy and Jenny Jessamy, is original for its unsentimental realism in its depiction of marriage and courtship among the leisure classes of the mid-eighteenth century. In his new introduction, editor John Richetti examines how Haywood’s amusing and engaging prose explores the subtleties of eighteenth-century courtship.

Out of print since the early nineteenth century, The History of Jemmy and Jenny Jessamy is now available in an edited and fully annotated modern edition.

Genres: 18th Century, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1753

About the author

Eliza Haywood (1693 – 1756), born Elizabeth Fowler, was an English writer, actress and publisher. Since the 1980s, Eliza Haywood’s literary works have been gaining in recognition and interest. Described as “prolific even by the standards of a prolific age” (Blouch, intro 7), Haywood wrote and published over seventy works during her lifetime including fiction, drama, translations, poetry, conduct literature and periodicals. Haywood is a significant figure of the 18th century as one of the important founders of the novel in English. Today she is studied primarily as a novelist.

Reviews

[Jim Chevallier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will not be for every modern reader, not least because it is eighteenth century fiction. This means the prose tends to be more windy than we like today, with long discursions on various moral issues, frequent citations of poets, etc. Still, the story is entertaining and even suspenseful at times. The basic premise is that the two protagonists have been engaged by their parents and in fact do love each other, but decide to delay the event until they have seen more of life. For Jemmy, this includes some affairs which not only the author (a woman) but Jenny herself seems to take in stride. It's pretty much accepted that even a decent young man will have his flings (even ruin other women), which is fine so long as he doesn't woo another woman of quality. When a villain (Haywood likes villains under the color of friends) tries to break them up, questions arise. This is much of the intrique of the novel, as the two lovers, geographically separated, hear different accounts of each other's behavior. Meanwhile, others have their own affairs and intrigues. Early on, the book is so episodic that I thought at first this would turn out to be about Jenny watching other couples and learning from their problems. These are sometimes fun, but ultimately the book settles into solid plotting. Jenny herself is adorable - maybe dangerously so, for a modern reader -, Jemmy is charming but a bit more believable in his misbehavior. Along the way, we get some good glimpses of period life and more than one reflection on how people act, or should. Haywood is not at Jane Austen level of fame, but from what I've read she's getting more attention these days. If you want a taste of her (prolific) work, this is a good place to start.

[Fira · Rating 4 out of 5]

drama