Classic fiction

A Fair Barbarian

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

148 pages · First published 2007

When spirited American heiress Octavia Bassett arrives unexpectedly in the quiet English village of Slowbridge, her unconventional manners, fashionable clothes, and refreshingly direct opinions cause an immediate sensation. While her timid Aunt Belinda struggles to understand her niece's independent ways, the formidable Lady Theobald is determined to make Octavia conform to proper Victorian society. But Octavia has little patience for pointless rules, and her presence soon begins to unsettle the village's social hierarchy, inspire unexpected confidence in its younger residents, and attract the attention of several eligible gentlemen. As gossip, courtship, and competing expectations complicate her visit, Octavia proves that true refinement has more to do with kindness and character than social convention. Full of gentle satire, romantic misunderstandings, and delightful cultural clashes, this charming Victorian classic is perfect for a leisurely afternoon with tea, a little laughter, and a heroine who refuses to let society define her.