The Novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett

Frances Hodgson Burnett, known for her children's classic The Secret Garden, had a diverse literary career. This work explores her novels within the evolving literary landscape of England and the U.S.

The Novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett explores the extensive literary contributions of Frances Hodgson Burnett, best known for her beloved children's classic, The Secret Garden. However, her career encompassed much more, as she was a prolific novelist, dramatist, and writer of children's stories. Burnett's works, characterized by their high literary quality, spanned various genres, including industrial novels, social commentaries on American life, historical narratives, and post-World War I reflections.

This book situates Burnett's novels within the evolving literary landscape of England and the United States from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, specifically from the death of George Eliot in 1880 to the aftermath of the Great War. By examining her works alongside those of contemporaries such as Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James, and T. S. Eliot, the text highlights how Burnett's writing reflects and contributes to the broader themes of literary realism, historical fiction, and sensation novels of her time.

Through this contextual analysis, The Novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett reveals her significant role in chronicling the shifting contexts and forms of English and American literature. It underscores how her novels not only entertain but also provide insight into the social and cultural dynamics of her era, making her an essential figure in the literary canon from the end of the Victorian period to the Jazz Age of the 1920s.