Books are not eternal, contrary to what we might claim or wish. They seldom survive beyond the lifetime of their creators and their initial readers, and often their existence is even shorter. The soul of books lies in the very thoughts and interpretations of readers, who breathe life into the pages once an author releases them. Various circumstances can lead readers to stop engaging with certain works. When that occurs, those books are forgotten and gradually fade into obscurity. So, in the spirit of discovery and remembrance, I embarked on a mission to revive three names of women who have slipped into the shadows, whose lives and literary contributions have been neglected and overlooked.
If you enjoyed Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, you should definitely check out The Marriage, Susan Ferrier’s debut work. She was born in Edinburgh in 1772 and became known for her best-selling novels that delve into themes of domestic life and romance, characterized by satirical elements, rich details, intricate family secrets, and eccentric characters, all while critiquing high society through the lens of women’s experiences.
Elisabeth Hamilton, born in 1756 and lived on a farm near Stirling with her aunt and uncle, pays tribute to her homeland in her work The Cottagers of Glenburnie, which tells the story of a woman residing in the Highlands.
Mary Brunton was born in 1778 amidst the winds of the Orkney Islands. She married a man of whom her mother disapproved and believed that women should have studied ancient languages and mathematics. Brunton redefines femininity through the portrayal of a fierce, solitary strength. Self Control tells the story of a woman living in a Scottish village who embarks on a journey of self-reliance. It achieved remarkable success in its first year of publication. Another work, Discipline, explores the determination of women striving for independence. The character Elle is said to have inspired Jane Austen in the creation of her Emma Woodhouse.
They each provided a marvelous and valuable social commentary of the times in which they lived, giving us a glimpse of what life in Scotland might have been through their own eyes of women. We tend to associate books more with their authors than with their readers, yet no successful author can carry their legacy alone; it is upheld by readers, critics, supporters, and publishers. Without this collective effort, the beloved authors we cherish would inevitably fade away.
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