65 pages • 2 hours read
The Woman of Colour: A Tale
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Book Brief
270
Novel • Fiction
England • 1800s
1808
Broadview Press
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Woman of Colour: A Tale by Anonymous, edited by Lyndon J. Dominique, is an epistolary novel that follows Olivia Fairfield, a biracial heiress, who must travel from Jamaica to England to marry her cousin Augustus Merton according to her father's will. Olivia navigates societal prejudices, complex relationships, and her own identity while experiencing life's highs and lows in 19th-century England. The book includes scenes with outdated and offensive language regarding race.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Inspirational
Reviews & Readership
964 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Woman of Colour, edited by Lyndon J. Dominique, garners praise for bringing to light a rare, early 19th-century novel that addresses race, gender, and class with progressive complexity. Critics commend Dominique's comprehensive introduction and annotations. However, some find the prose archaic and challenging. Overall, it's celebrated for its historical significance and scholarly contribution.
Who Should Read The Woman of Colour?
A reader who would enjoy The Woman of Colour by Ed. Lyndon J. Dominique and Anonymous is likely interested in early 19th-century literature with themes of race, gender, and colonialism. Fans of Belinda by Maria Edgeworth and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë will appreciate its exploration of societal boundaries and personal identity.
964 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Letitia Merton (née Manby)
Letitia Merton (née Manby)
A wealthy woman who becomes Olivia’s adversary, raised to value money and appearances, and uses manipulation to try to get what she wants.
Augustus Merton
Augustus Merton
A sensitive and thoughtful younger son of the Merton family, who is kind to Olivia and struggles with expressing his emotions openly.
Dido
Dido
A Black enslaved woman who accompanies Olivia to England, known for her loyalty and strong sense of duty, and who contrasts with Olivia’s experiences as a free biracial woman.
Colonel Rolando Singleton
Colonel Rolando Singleton
An elder in the Merton social circle, focused on appearing young and flirtatious, and who expresses unwelcome romantic interest in Olivia.
270
Novel • Fiction
England • 1800s
1808
Broadview Press
Adult
18+ years
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