Set in a city as lively and absorbing as the novel's writing, The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset is a comic historical epic with a memorable heroine. The novel, while parodying the style of eighteenth-century novelists such as Henry Fielding and William Thackeray, charts the growth of the beautiful Jenny Dorset as she matures from a headstrong child into a tenacious freedom fighter and leader of the Daughters of Liberty as the Revolutionary War approaches. Henry Hawthorne, an astute and witty family servant, narrates this adventure that follows the rise of and humorous feud between two eccentric low-country plantation families. The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset is an exciting and often hilarious novel that is entertaining reading for anyone who loves a good adventure and alluring characters.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Fielding meets Williams in this story of a plantation family in the Carolinas in the second half of the eighteenth century, narrated by Henry Hawthorne, the family's loyal servant. Mr. Dorset, the patriarch, is one of those larger-than-life creations, alternately a profligate drunk, a religious fanatic, and a hilariously bad poet. His youngest child, Jenny, inherits his iconoclastic character and grows from a high-spirited young girl to a warrior against the British in the Revolutionary War. Williams borrows stylistically from the eighteenth century but delivers a book that is smartly updated: the number of characters is more contained, adventures are less sprawling, chapters are more quickly paced. If there is failure in the book, it is in the comic touches; Williams' stock characters can tire quickly. And while Jenny Dorset may be the focus of the book, she isn't the hero. That honor must go to our droll and knowing narrator, Mr. Henry Hawthorne, a sort of picaresque version of the butler in Ishiguro's Remains of the Day. Brian Kenney
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"This raucous burlesque is great fun. . . . Capturing a vivid image of the bustling, historic seaport before and during the British occupation, this sweeping saga weaves a tapestry of the Colonial South. It's graced with bawdy hilarity and its characters' frequent contretemps."--Publishers Weekly
"Part family saga, part historical novel, part picaresque adventure and all grand burlesque, Jenny Dorset comically mirrors the exuberant, brash spirit of the fledgling America in which it is set."--Orlando Sentinel
“Williams' impressive loveable tale . . . is a more enjoyable and descriptive read than it's lengthy title. A refreshing medley of life in the 18th century Charleston, it is seasoned copiously with charming wit, sprightly comedy, and intriguing memorable characters. A truly captivating read, this pleasing narrative is written with a sincere heartfelt timbre and comes alive with animated anecdotes that will evoke chuckling, and searing wit that will leave its mark. . . . Indeed, Williams' noel is a great story-tellers' delight! The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset manifests very engaging humor with every flip of the page. A classic of our day, it will quickly ascend as one of your favorites. Highly recommended."--Bookpleasures.com
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More About the Author
Philip Lee Williams is the author of 16 published books, including 11 novels, three works of non-fiction, and two volumes of poetry. His books have been published by such presses as St. Martin's, W. W. Norton, Random House, Grove Press, Ballantine, Dell, Viking/Penguin, and Mercer University Press, as well a number of other smaller and university presses.
His 1000-page novel, The Divine Comics, was published in November 2011 by Mercer University Press. This book is a modern re-imagining and updating of Dante's fabled Divine Comedy. Another novel, Emerson's Brother, will come out in May 2012.
The University of Georgia Press republished his Michael Shaara Prize-winning novel A Distant Flame on April 1, 2011.
Williams's The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram, came out on Sept. 1, 2010. It was named Book of the Year by Books & Culture Magazine. His most recent novel is The Campfire Boys, fiction about entertainers during the American Civil War. A collection of poetry called Elegies for the Water (Mercer University Press) came out on March 1, 2009.
In May 2007, he received the Governor's Award in the Humanities from the State of Georgia during ceremonies in Atlanta, and in June of that year he was for the second time named Georgia Author of the Year, this time in the essay category in a program at Kennesaw State University. He has since been named Georgia Author of the Year twice more.
His most recent nonfiction book, nature essays called In the Morning: Reflections Toward First Light, came out in the fall of 2006 from Mercer University Press. He is a featured author in a textbook about Georgia authors for the state's eighth graders that was released in the fall of 2008.
His novel A Distant Flame was published by St. Martin's Press in September 2004. In April 2005, it was named winner of the Michael Shaara Award as the best Civil War novel published in the United States in 2004. Williams received the award in Boston in June 2005. The book was also named, by The Georgia Center for the Book, one of 25 books that "All Georgians Should Read." It came out in a trade paperback edition in November 2005.
His first novel, The Heart of a Distant Forest, was reprinted in September 2005 by the University of Georgia Press.
His books have been translated into Swedish, German, French, and Japanese and have appeared in large-print editions as well. A number of his books have been optioned for film by such people as producer Richard Zanuck, director Ron Howard, and actress Meg Ryan. He was hired by M-G-M to write the screenplay of his own book, All the Western Stars, though the movie has not yet been made.
Two of Williams's unpublished manuscripts have also been optioned by producers in Hollywood.
Williams has also published poetry in more than 40 magazines, including Poetry, Press, Karamu, the Cumberland Poetry Review and many others. He has published essays and short stories, and one story, "An Early Snow," published in 2000, was nominated by The Chattahoochee Review for a Pushcart Prize.
An essay of Williams's appeared in the fall 2010 issue of The Georgia Review.
His 1000-page novel, The Divine Comics, was published in November 2011 by Mercer University Press. This book is a modern re-imagining and updating of Dante's fabled Divine Comedy. Another novel, Emerson's Brother, will come out in May 2012.
The University of Georgia Press republished his Michael Shaara Prize-winning novel A Distant Flame on April 1, 2011.
Williams's The Flower Seeker: An Epic Poem of William Bartram, came out on Sept. 1, 2010. It was named Book of the Year by Books & Culture Magazine. His most recent novel is The Campfire Boys, fiction about entertainers during the American Civil War. A collection of poetry called Elegies for the Water (Mercer University Press) came out on March 1, 2009.
In May 2007, he received the Governor's Award in the Humanities from the State of Georgia during ceremonies in Atlanta, and in June of that year he was for the second time named Georgia Author of the Year, this time in the essay category in a program at Kennesaw State University. He has since been named Georgia Author of the Year twice more.
His most recent nonfiction book, nature essays called In the Morning: Reflections Toward First Light, came out in the fall of 2006 from Mercer University Press. He is a featured author in a textbook about Georgia authors for the state's eighth graders that was released in the fall of 2008.
His novel A Distant Flame was published by St. Martin's Press in September 2004. In April 2005, it was named winner of the Michael Shaara Award as the best Civil War novel published in the United States in 2004. Williams received the award in Boston in June 2005. The book was also named, by The Georgia Center for the Book, one of 25 books that "All Georgians Should Read." It came out in a trade paperback edition in November 2005.
His first novel, The Heart of a Distant Forest, was reprinted in September 2005 by the University of Georgia Press.
His books have been translated into Swedish, German, French, and Japanese and have appeared in large-print editions as well. A number of his books have been optioned for film by such people as producer Richard Zanuck, director Ron Howard, and actress Meg Ryan. He was hired by M-G-M to write the screenplay of his own book, All the Western Stars, though the movie has not yet been made.
Two of Williams's unpublished manuscripts have also been optioned by producers in Hollywood.
Williams has also published poetry in more than 40 magazines, including Poetry, Press, Karamu, the Cumberland Poetry Review and many others. He has published essays and short stories, and one story, "An Early Snow," published in 2000, was nominated by The Chattahoochee Review for a Pushcart Prize.
An essay of Williams's appeared in the fall 2010 issue of The Georgia Review.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History coupled with charming wit,
By book yeti "book yeti" (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset: A Novel (Hardcover)
Williams' ambitious novel The True & Authentic History of Jenny Dorset is a refreshing medley of life in Charleston's 18th century, seasoned tastily with charming wit and intriguing characters. A truly enjoyable read, the tale is written with a sincere flare and comes alive to the reader. More notably is the method in which Williams characterizes each member of the families involved in the story's plot - from the dueling heads, Mr. Dorset and Mr. Smythe, to Old Bob in his amusing stages of senility, and the ostentatious Jenny Dorset herself. The reader will undoubtedly find the rich story line is highly entertaining, and written in a very lively manner. The tale is penned from the perspective of Henry Hawthorne, the Dorset's discerning and subdued family man servant. Hawthorne patiently abides by the family's somewhat eccentric and unruly lifestyle, and writes about his experiences first-hand, in memoir-like style. Indeed, this novel is a great story-tellers' delight! The True & Authentic History of Jenny Dorset manifests very engaging humour with every flip of a page - more than once have I been in the throws of violent chuckles over it's whimsical comments and situations. It has quickly grown to be one of my favorites. I highly recommend it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Humor and Wisdom of a by gone era,
By
This review is from: The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset: A Novel (Hardcover)
Mr. Williams' story is filled with rollicking humor, wit, and wisdom. Vividly written, the reader is drawn into 18th century Charleston, and into the lives of two families, the Dorsets and the Symthes. Each and every character is memorable. You will laugh and cry reading this book. It has a permament place in my personal library. I loved it so much, I rushed out and bought several copies to give to friends and family. Mr. Williams deserves far more credit for his writing genius!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A comic, epic, historical, adventure story?! Huh?! IT WORKS!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The True and Authentic History of Jenny Dorset: A Novel (Hardcover)
This is a great, great book. Highly recommended to
anyone interested in a funny-historical-adventure
story. Philip Lee Williams is a great author. Memorable characters, a funny and engaging storyline, and history in pre-revolutionary Charleston are just some of the things I find to recommend about this book. The book is also one of the most attractively designed books I have ever seen. Do yourself a favor and check it out... you won't be sorry.
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