Mary Davys, Miscellaneous Works

Martha F. Bowden (Kennesaw State University)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.05: English Writing and Culture from the Glorious Revolution to the French Revolution, 1689-1789.
Vol. editors: Paul Baines (University of Liverpool), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Pat Rogers (University of South Florida), Nicholas Seager (University of Keele)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1725

Places

Ireland, Republic of (Eire) (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Prose Fiction Narrative

Resources

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The two brief novels by Mary Davys are her minor work. They are interesting chiefly for their links to similar fiction written in the period by popular writers such as Eliza Haywood and Penelope Aubin. While they show flashes of the ability that produced

The Reform'd Coquet

and

The Accomplish'd Rake

The Lady's Tale

lacks those texts' tight construction and focus, and characters in

The Cousins

are not as psychologically developed as those in her other work.

The Lady's Tale is the story of Abaliza, a much beset heroine in the romance mode. Oppressed by incredible beauty and incompetent parents—the usual twin ills of such ladies—she goes through a series of tribulations before she can be united with the love of her life. Her frail mother, believing her last day is near, exhorts

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1461 words

Citation: Bowden, Martha F.. "Miscellaneous Works". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 21 October 2006 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=20620, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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