Amy Dillwyn Knihy

"Jill is the story of an unconventional heroine - a gentlewoman who disguises herself as a maid and runs away to London in search of adventure after her mother dies and her father is pursued by a Victorian gold-digger. Once in London she uses her position as lady's maid to become close to her mistress. Her life above and below stairs is portrayed with irreverent wit in this fast-paced story, but at the centre of the novel is Jill's unfolding love for the woman she works for. On the surface a feminist manifesto, Jill is a poignant story of same-sex desire and unrequited love. A new introduction tells the autobiographical story on which the novel is based - the author's own passionate attachment to a woman she called her wife, but who she couldn't have.".

Set against the backdrop of the 1830s Welsh riots, the narrative follows Evan Williams, a working-class man driven to rebellion by rising taxes and social inequality. Disguised as a woman, he participates in the destruction of toll gates, but the violence brings dire consequences for him and his beloved. Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn, a pioneering female industrialist and novelist, explores themes of class struggle and societal discontent in this classic tale, now republished with a new biography of the author.

Set in a Welsh town, the plot centers on the burglary of heiress Ethel Carton, with suspicion falling on a local poacher, while the real thief is much closer to her. This Victorian comedy of manners combines charming rural scenes with gripping melodrama and social commentary, making it a delightful read for fans of the era. Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn, a pioneering female industrialist and novelist, brings her unique perspective to the story, which is now available in a new edition featuring a biography of the author.