The Invisible Spy, by Explorabilis
- 302 Seiten
- 11 Lesestunden
Eliza Haywood war eine produktive englische Schriftstellerin des 18. Jahrhunderts und eine bedeutende Wegbereiterin des englischen Romans. Ihr umfangreiches Werk, das Fiktion, Drama, Poesie und Zeitschriften umfasst, erfährt seit den 1980er Jahren zunehmend Anerkennung und Interesse. Heute wird sie vor allem als Romanautorin studiert und für ihre stilistische Gewandtheit und thematische Tiefe geschätzt. Haywood gilt als Schlüsselfigur der literarischen Entwicklung ihrer Zeit.






Eliza Haywood's novel presents a bold anti-heroine, Syrena Tricksy, who actively navigates her desires and social ambitions through various disguises, challenging traditional notions of feminine sexuality. Unlike the passive Pamela, Syrena's resourcefulness and determination drive her pursuit of wealthy men, though her carelessness often leads to failure. This work serves as a parody of Richardson's moralistic tale, subverting the idea that virtue alone secures success. With its blend of tragedy and comedy, the novel critiques gender and class dynamics while offering a fresh perspective on female agency.
Ambition and desire intertwine in this novel, where young Anadea navigates societal pressures to secure a marriage that could restore her family's fortunes in 18th century Paris. Despite a promising proposal from a wealthy gentleman, her heart leads her to the charming Count Blessure, who grapples with his family's prejudices against the poor. Blending elements of tragedy and comedy, the story highlights the vulnerabilities women face in a patriarchal society, making it a notable work in the genre of amatory fiction.
Exploring themes of identity and desire, the narrative follows Miranda and her sister Althea, who appear to lead a charmed life filled with youth and wealth. Miranda's marriage to the charming yet untrustworthy Clitander, initially fueled by love, quickly reveals his true, darker nature. Eliza Haywood crafts a witty yet tragic tale that delves into the complexities of relationships and the consequences of misplaced trust.
;Or, Love in a Maze
The narrative follows a woman who embarks on an intriguing experiment by engaging in four passionate affairs with the same man while adopting various disguises. What starts as a curious exploration of identity and desire quickly blurs the lines between reality and pretense, leading to both humorous and poignant moments. Eliza Haywood's work delves into themes of love, deception, and the complexities of human relationships, offering a rich commentary on the nature of desire.
Set against the backdrop of Venetian society, the narrative follows Idalia, a young woman navigating courtship after losing her mother. Her father's disapproval of her suitor Florez leads her to Don Ferdinand, but when his friend Henriquez also falls for her, a deadly duel ensues. Left devastated by the loss, Idalia seeks refuge in a convent, hoping to escape male desires. This novel intricately weaves themes of ambition, family, and the struggles women face in a patriarchal world, showcasing the tragic consequences of love and rivalry.
Fantomina, or, Love in a Maze is a novella by Eliza Haywood which charts an unnamed female protagonist’s pursuit of the charming, shallow Beauplaisir. Dealing with major themes such as identity, class and sexual desire, and first published in 1725, Fantomina subverts the popular ‘persecuted maiden’ narrative, and reaches a climax which would have shocked its contemporary readership. Moving to London, a young woman – let’s call her Fantomina – meets a dashing man at the theatre. After a short, but intense, fling, Beauplaisir grows bored of Fantomina, and leaves her. Outraged that she should be so treated, Fantomina discards her disguise in favour of another, and sets off in hot pursuit of her victim, and a game of cat and mouse begins. This edition features an introduction by Dr Sarah R. Creel, Bethany E. Qualls and Dr Anna K. Sagal of the International Eliza Haywood Society. '[It] is right to deplore “Haywood’s invisibility to modern political historians”, but now we see her in focus, she matters for the imaginative power of her writing.' — Thomas Keymer, London Review of Books 'Haywood’s place in literary history is equally remarkable and as neglected, misunderstood and misrepresented as her oeuvre.' — Paula R. Backscheider