Haywood's novel is the story of the beautiful Princess Eovaai. Groomed for the throne by her father, who teaches her Lockean notions of liberty, she is overthrown, enmeshed in civil war, and then magically transported to a foreign land by an evil man. Part magician, part politician, he plots to marry her for political reasons. The fascinating reflexive structure of The Adventures of Eovaai incorporates argumentative intrusions (by the Translator, an Historian, etc.), interweaves political and amatory storylines, and blends a wild mix of genres.

Comments: 

"The Adventures of Eovaai is the most important prose satire of English politics and the administration of Sir Robert Walpole between Gulliver’s Travels and Jonathan Wild. It is more, too—an intriguing narrative experiment, a provocative exploration of the power relations between genders, and a terrific story full of fantasy and suspense. Earla Wilputte has provided just what is needed to make this neglected but appealing work fully accessible to modern readers: an authoritative historical and critical introduction, helpful explanatory notes to the text, and appendices that add essential contextual background. This is a fine new edition, and as the first since 1741 it is certain to be welcomed enthusiastically by the growing circle of Haywood’s admirers." - Jerry C. Beasley, University of Delaware

"What a delight to see Eliza Haywood's satiric fantasy Adventures of Eovaai—one of my own favorite eighteenth-century fictions—at last in an edited and accessible paperback! Earla Wilputte supplies a useful Introduction and notes clarifying literary background and political allusions. The fresh appearance of Haywood's Pre Adamitical History' is sure to generate renewed interest in this remarkable and daring work." - Margaret Anne Doody, Vanderbilt University

Earla Wilputte is a professor in the Department of English at Saint Francis Xavier University and a specialist in eighteenth-century literature; she has written widely on Haywood's works.

Academics please note that this is a title classified as having a restricted allocation of complimentary copies. While the availability of bound complimentary copies is restricted to desk copies only, electronic complimentary copies are readily available for those professors wishing to consider this title for possible course adoption. Should you choose to adopt the book after viewing an electronic copy we will be happy to provide a bound desk copy.

Table of Contents: [Back to Top]

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Eliza Haywood: A Brief Chronology

A Note on the Text

Adventures of Eovaai, Princess of Ijaveo

Dedication to The Dutchess Dowager of Marlborough
Preface, by the Translator
Adventures of Eovaai, Princess of Ijaveo
The History of Ochihatou, Prime Minister of Hypotofa
The History of Yximilla
The Harangue of Alhahuza
The History of Atmadoul
The History of Adelhu, only Son of Oeros

Appendix A: Selected Literary Portraits by Eliza Haywood

1. From Memoirs of a Certain Island Adjacent to the Kingdom of Utopia
2. From The Secret History of the Present Intrigues of the Court of Caramania
3. Dedication to Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh. A Tragedy

Appendix B: Selections from The Country Gentleman or, The Craftsman by Caleb D’Anvers, of Gray’s Inn, Esq.

1. “The Vision of Camilick” (27 January, 1727). No. 16.
2. “Eloquence and Rhetorick” (9 September, 1727). No. 62.
3. “The Robinocracy” (18 October, 1729). No. 170.

Appendix C: Anonymous. The Secret History of Mama Oello, Princess Royal of Peru

Appendix D: Selections from George Lyttelton Letters from a Persian in England, to his Friend at Ispahan

Select Bibliography