Evelina by Frances Burney

This novel was both humorous and engaging as it traces the story of a naive, young girl's gradual exposure to 18th century society. Although Evelina's extreme innocence is at times infuriating, she slowly, if erringly, corrects her ways and finds her virtue rewarded in the end. The end itself is a bit troubling; the central absence of the book seems a bit contrived, and while the ending has Evelina rushing home to correct it, this haste seems inappropriate for her changed circumstances. Great fun--keep an eye out for the monkey, especially.