logo

26 pages 52 minutes read

Eliza Haywood

Fantomina

Eliza HaywoodFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1725

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Eliza Haywood

Fantomina

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1725
Book Details
Pages

30

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 18th century

Theme
Publication Year

1725

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In "Fantomina: or, Love in a Maze," a young, aristocratic woman, driven by curiosity about the power of allure, repeatedly disguises herself to seduce and maintain the attention of Beauplaisir, leading to a series of deceptive and intimate encounters under various personas. As her ruse progresses, managing these identities becomes increasingly complex, culminating in significant personal consequences. This novella explores themes of female agency and societal norms in 18th century England. The book contains themes related to sexual encounters and social deception.

Mysterious

Romantic

Playful

Emotional

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

3.8

2,455 ratings

54%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Eliza Haywood's Fantomina is praised for its complex exploration of female identity and desire, with critics lauding Haywood's bold narrative and social commentary. However, some find the plot implausible and the main character’s actions morally ambiguous. Overall, the novella remains a fascinating study of gender and class dynamics in 18th-century literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fantomina?

Ideal for readers who relish adventurous tales of female empowerment and complex identity, Fantomina by Eliza Haywood appeals to fans of Pamela and Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. Those intrigued by social disguise and 18th-century gender politics will find this narrative particularly captivating. Works Cited Haywood, Eliza. Fantomina. Richardson, Samuel. Pamela. Richardson, Samuel. Clarissa.

3.8

2,455 ratings

54%

Loved it

35%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

30

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London • 18th century

Theme
Publication Year

1725

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.