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Wanda
The story of an aristocratic, reclusive, idealistic, naive young woman whose world is destroyed by a man who seemed to be, and perhaps was, the best thing ever to happen to her.
The novel was a best-seller in the late nineteenth century and was turned into an acclaimed stage play by Edmund Morse and an opera by Antonín Dvorák.
The novel was a best-seller in the late nineteenth century and was turned into an acclaimed stage play by Edmund Morse and an opera by Antonín Dvorák.
- GenresVictorian
566 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1883
About the author
Ouida
473 books57 followersOuida was the pen name of the English novelist Maria Louise Ramé (although she preferred to be known as Marie Louise de la Ramée).
During her career, she wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. She was an animal rights activist and animal rescuer, and at times owned as many as thirty dogs. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she died.
Ouida's work went through several phases during her career. In her early period, her novels were a hybrid of the sensationalism of the 1860s and the proto-adventure novels dubbed "muscular fiction" that were emerging in part as a romanticization of imperial expansion. Later her work was more along the lines of historical romance, though she never stopped comment on contemporary society. She also wrote several stories for children. One of her most famous novels, Under Two Flags, described the British in Algeria in the most extravagant of terms, while nonetheless also expressing sympathy for the Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, to some extent, the Arabs. This book went on to be staged in plays, and subsequently to be turned into at least three movies, transitioning Ouida in the 20th century.
Jack London cites her novel Signa, which describes an unschooled Italian peasant child who achieves fame as an opera composer, and which he read at age eight, as one of the eight reasons for his literary success.
During her career, she wrote more than 40 novels, children's books and collections of short stories and essays. She was an animal rights activist and animal rescuer, and at times owned as many as thirty dogs. For many years she lived in London, but about 1874 she went to Italy, where she died.
Ouida's work went through several phases during her career. In her early period, her novels were a hybrid of the sensationalism of the 1860s and the proto-adventure novels dubbed "muscular fiction" that were emerging in part as a romanticization of imperial expansion. Later her work was more along the lines of historical romance, though she never stopped comment on contemporary society. She also wrote several stories for children. One of her most famous novels, Under Two Flags, described the British in Algeria in the most extravagant of terms, while nonetheless also expressing sympathy for the Frenchwith whom Ouida deeply identifiedand, to some extent, the Arabs. This book went on to be staged in plays, and subsequently to be turned into at least three movies, transitioning Ouida in the 20th century.
Jack London cites her novel Signa, which describes an unschooled Italian peasant child who achieves fame as an opera composer, and which he read at age eight, as one of the eight reasons for his literary success.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2015
26 NOV 2015 - another recommendation through Bettie and Laura. Thank you, Ladies. How can I resist a book which shares my name? I cannot!
30 DEC 2015 - proofreading completed of Volume I. While this novel is very wordy, I loved it! I have such a weakness and soft spot in my heart for these old stories. Wanda is a stubborn woman who is a bit of a "stick." I can see, however, she is slowly coming around and I hope Sabran will be a man in her future. **Fingers crossed**
30 DEC 2015 - proofreading completed of Volume I. While this novel is very wordy, I loved it! I have such a weakness and soft spot in my heart for these old stories. Wanda is a stubborn woman who is a bit of a "stick." I can see, however, she is slowly coming around and I hope Sabran will be a man in her future. **Fingers crossed**
Want to Read
August 25, 2016Brazilliant has found a link: http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id...
Cheryl has found another link: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL23400...
Cheryl has found another link: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL23400...
July 20, 2011
It was pretty good. Review TK.
January 5, 2026
I have not read this book but just wanted to point out that the information about Dvorak's opera above is incorrect. His 1895 opera is NOT based on Ouida's novel but is instead based on the original Polish legend of Princess Wanda of Krakow.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews