Set against the backdrop of the 1830s Welsh riots, the narrative follows Evan Williams, a working-class man driven to rebellion by rising taxes and social inequality. Disguised as a woman, he participates in the destruction of toll gates, but the violence brings dire consequences for him and his beloved. Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn, a pioneering female industrialist and novelist, explores themes of class struggle and societal discontent in this classic tale, now republished with a new biography of the author.
Amy Dillwyn Book order (chronological)
Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn was a novelist from South Wales whose works were written in English. Beyond her literary pursuits, she was also a pioneering businesswoman and social benefactor, recognized as one of Britain's early female industrialists. Her writing offered insightful explorations of human nature and societal concerns of her era. Dillwyn's legacy extends to both her impactful contributions to literature and her significant role in British industry and philanthropy.
A Burglary - or, Unconscious Influence
- 724 pages
- 26 hours of reading
Set in a Welsh town, the plot centers on the burglary of heiress Ethel Carton, with suspicion falling on a local poacher, while the real thief is much closer to her. This Victorian comedy of manners combines charming rural scenes with gripping melodrama and social commentary, making it a delightful read for fans of the era. Elizabeth Amy Dillwyn, a pioneering female industrialist and novelist, brings her unique perspective to the story, which is now available in a new edition featuring a biography of the author.
Jill
- 326 pages
- 12 hours of reading
"Jill is the story of an unconventional heroine - a gentlewoman who disguises herself as a maid and runs away to London in search of adventure after her mother dies and her father is pursued by a Victorian gold-digger. Once in London she uses her position as lady's maid to become close to her mistress. Her life above and below stairs is portrayed with irreverent wit in this fast-paced story, but at the centre of the novel is Jill's unfolding love for the woman she works for. On the surface a feminist manifesto, Jill is a poignant story of same-sex desire and unrequited love. A new introduction tells the autobiographical story on which the novel is based - the author's own passionate attachment to a woman she called her wife, but who she couldn't have.".
The Rebecca Rioter
- 178 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Country men disguised as women, the Rebecca Rioters rose up against the oppressive imposition of steep taxes at the toll gates of rural Wales in the late 1830s. This story, first published in 1880, tells the tale of Evan Williams, a young working class man struggling to come to terms with the injustice and social inequalities of the world he lives in. His rebellious actions have dramatic consequences not only for himself, but inadvertently, for the woman he loves.