The History of Ophelia

by Sarah Fielding

In the mid-eighteenth century, Sarah Fielding (1710-68) was the second most popular English woman novelist, rivaled only by Eliza Haywood. The History of Ophelia , the last of her seven novels, is an often comic epistolary fiction, narrated by the heroine to an unnamed female correspondent in the form of a single protracted letter. This Broadview edition includes a critical introduction and valuable appendices that contain contemporary reviews of the novel, Richard Corbould’s illustrations to the Novelist’s Magazine edition, and excerpts from Sarah Fielding’s Remarks on Clarissa .

Genres: 18th Century, Fiction, Classics

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1760

About the author

Sarah Fielding was a British author and sister of the novelist Henry Fielding. She was the author of The Governess, or The Little Female Academy (1749), which was the first novel in English written especially for children (children's literature), and had earlier achieved success with her novel The Adventures of David Simple (1744).

Reviews

[Jes Battis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fielding's last novel focuses on an unnamed protagonist, who is kidnapped from her beloved Welsh cottage and thrust into London society. Her abductor--Lord Dorchester--is attracted by her "awful purity." He manipulates her at every turn, while trying to fashion her into the perfect mistress. He vibrates with insecurity, first commanding her to attend parties, then accusing her of being too friendly (when she is mostly terrified of human contact). At one point, he tries to sever their attachment because she hasn't greeted him with the proper enthusiasm (this after leaving her alone for an entire day). Fielding's narrator spends most of her time critically observing what she considers to be the folly of London. Her descriptions of masquerades, "drums," card tables, and the Tunbridge Walks are lovely to read, even if she finds it all to be horrifying. Fielding adds many touches of psychological depth to her characters, and her narrator's observations are often sharp and entertaining. There's a wonderfully picaresque moment involving a glass-fronted closet, a bawd, and an old man with a sword, as well as other moments of subtle humor.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, Broadview offers a well-annotated edition with excellent appendices. If I were just rating Peter Sabor's work as editor, it would be 4.5 to 5 stars.

I bought this one because I'm coming to the growing realization I will probably never teach it (and thereby deserve an exam copy). It's like a missing link between _Pamela_ and _Evelina_. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Is it as absorbing as some of Sarah Fielding's other works (David Simple, The Governess, etc)? Not really.

To quote the 1760 Review from _The British Magazine_ (in Appendix A): "Delicate, natural, and tolerably entertaining."

It is a fast, light read - a weirdly PG Clarissa.