
In this lively epistolary tale we follow Olinda, a precocious fourteen‑year‑old, as she pours her thoughts onto paper, sharing the joys, anxieties, and flirtations of a young woman navigating love and society in late‑seventeenth‑century England. The letters unfold with a candid, almost conversational tone, letting listeners hear the rustle of ink and the hush of secret confidences. Through her eyes we glimpse the fashions, courtly rituals, and everyday dilemmas that shaped a lady’s world, all rendered with a freshness that feels both historic and surprisingly modern.
Beyond the personal romance, the work offers a rare glimpse into the early evolution of the English novel. Its modest length and intimate format make it an accessible entry point to the period’s literary experiments, while the youthful perspective adds a spirited edge that foreshadows later classics. Listeners will be drawn into Olinda’s spirited correspondence, appreciating both the charm of her voice and the broader cultural portrait it paints.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (136K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Chris Curnow, Eleni Christofaki, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2011-08-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1679–1749
A gifted English playwright, novelist, and philosopher, she was publishing in her teens and went on to build a reputation as one of the most thoughtful women writers of her time. Her work moves between the stage and serious philosophy, showing both wit and intellectual force.
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