In this unit we look at an example of an “amatory” prose work, Eliza Haywood’s Fantomina. In its story focused on the love life of a female protagonist, it is among the precursors of both romance fiction (the thematic content) and a novel (the long-form of prose storytelling).

The resource readings talk more about both of these.

Alternative Versions of Text

UPenn Digital Library’s ebook of Fantomina

Online e-text available from University of Pennsylvania Digital Library

UC Santa Barbara’s ebook of Fantomina

A PDF imaged version of a print text is available from the Early Modern Center of the English Department at the University of California at Santa Barbara (warning: this is imaged from an old book and the style of printing may be hard to read).

Background and Interpretation

CUNY Brooklyn’s article on “The Novel”

Brief overview of the development of the novel from the Brooklyn College English Department.