Reading with the Burneys

Focusing on sibling rivalry and reading practices in late eighteenth-century Britain, this study examines Charles Burney's influence on the reception of his sister Frances Burney's debut novel, Evelina. Utilizing Charles's manuscripts, letters, and library archives, the author reveals his attempts to manipulate Evelina's reception to enhance his own literary standing. By integrating literary studies, biography, and the history of the book, this work offers deeper insights into gender, class, kinship, and reading during this era.