A Beginner

by Rhoda Broughton

In A Beginner, Broughton devices a young writer who has her work secretly published and then later torn apart by unknowing people right in front of her face. The novel deals with the moral issues of writing and whether it is appropriate for a young woman to write romantic or even erotic fiction.

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

Rhoda Broughton was a popular British (Welsh) novelist and short story writer.

Reviews

[Lucy Powrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Beginner" is the story of Miss Emma Jocelyn, who at the opening of the novel eagerly anticipates the arrival of the three-volume novel that she has written and published. In her early twenties, she soon learns that her novel may not receive the reception she wants for it: much of the book centres around Emma's perceived innocence and naïveté, especially as other characters are quick to point out the "coarseness" and unladylike themes in her novel, "Miching Mallecho".

There are insinuations of romantic - perhaps even bordering on erotic - scenes (one involving a canoe!), and many of the male characters, as well as Emma's matronly aunt, are of the view that as a young woman, Emma cannot be aware of her double entendres and allusions to sex and romance.

"A Beginner" explores what it means to be a female writer in the 19th century, from anonymous authorship to writing such "coarse" topics as romance. The big question, though, is: is Emma as naïve as she is perceived to be, or is this a way of preserving her reputation, and denying her right to an authorly voice?

Rhoda Broughton is an underrated Victorian author to modern audiences, although was one of the top circulating library novelists at the time. Her novels were often not taken seriously, downplayed as "sensation" novels, when really they raise important discussions on womanhood and the rights of women.

"A Beginner" has a humorous, conversational tone, yet isn't afraid to shy away from a world that was unfriendly to women and their voices. It's worth a read! I really enjoyed it.

[Fran]

DNF 24%. Oh Rhoda! I never thought you'd disappoint me. It's interesting from an autobiographical standpoint but the issues around women in this are so much more overt that it's lost a lot of what made her earlier work so revolutionary. And it's very stiff. Broughton is at her best when she's scandalizing, not trying to be serious.

[Susie Gerow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of predictable, an authoress, a critic, a romance ...