Charlotte Lennox Books

Charlotte Lennox's epistolary novel "Euphemia" details the 12 year friendship of two separated friends; Euphemia Neville and Maria Harley. Separated by the Atlantic Ocean, each young heroine must learn to deal with her individual situation by trusting her own prudence, which is additionally supported by an endearing female friendship as revealed in the poignant letters exchanged between them. Typical 18th century novels end with a restoration of name, fortune, family, and ultimately in a marriage; symbolic of God's divine plan for humankind. The idea comes from the book of Revelation in which St John writes that the end of time will culiminate with a marriage between Christ and the earthly church. In Lennox's novel; however, the "marriage" or "restoration" is a restoration between two friends. The novel is different from other 18th century novels in that the conclusion validates the close bond between two women rather than a marriage between a man and a woman. This "novel" approach to ending a piece of fiction would allow for an expansion of literary ideas and motifs that would only complement and expand the vast writings of great 18th century writers like Lennox