Mary Wortley Montagu was an English writer renowned for her engaging letters and essays. She gained fame with her travel letters, notably collected in Turkish Embassy Letters, offering vivid insights into Ottoman society.
If you enjoy reading books by Mary Wortley Montagu then you might also like the following authors:
Lady Anne Blunt was an adventurous traveler and talented writer who vividly documented her experiences abroad. If you enjoy reading about different cultures and travels from a thoughtful and observant perspective like Montagu's, you'll appreciate Blunt's writing.
Her book, Bedouin Tribes of the Euphrates, portrays her journeys through the Middle East, giving readers fascinating insights into the region's landscape, society, traditions, and daily life.
Alexander Pope was known for his sharp wit and clever satire. Readers who appreciate Mary Wortley Montagu's sharp observations about society will similarly enjoy Pope's poetry. His style is polished, precise, and witty, often targeting hypocrisy and vanity in society.
His poem The Rape of the Lock satirizes the trivial concerns of the upper classes in a humorous and entertaining way.
Jonathan Swift is famous for his sharp social satire and dark humor, exploring themes of human folly, greed, and arrogance. Fans of Montagu's critical observations on society and human behavior might enjoy Swift's approach to these themes.
His notable work, Gulliver's Travels, cleverly critiques politics, philosophy, and society through imaginative and humorous storytelling.
Joseph Addison's essays are known for their clarity, elegance, and thoughtfulness. Like Montagu, Addison skillfully analyzes social customs and human nature.
His notable work, The Spectator, offers readers thoughtful commentary and gentle satire on the moral, cultural, and social issues of his time.
Richard Steele collaborated closely with Addison, writing essays that are engaging, lighthearted, and perceptive. Steele, much like Montagu, offers keen observations on society and human character with a warm and approachable style.
In his contributions to The Tatler, Steele explores the daily life, manners, and morals of his contemporaries through entertaining and insightful essays.
Madame de Sévigné is celebrated for her letters, famous for their wit, warmth, and insightful views on French society. Much like Mary Wortley Montagu, Sévigné’s letters capture the feeling and flow of everyday life, filled with sharp observations.
A notable collection is Selected Letters of Madame de Sévigné, which offers glimpses into 17th-century France, showcasing her ability to mix humor, gossip, and social commentary effortlessly.
Dorothy Osborne’s correspondence is engaging, intimate, and full of genuine warmth. Like Montagu, Osborne uses letters to express thoughts on society, love, and politics, crafting them with wit and clarity.
Her collection Letters to Sir William Temple gives a lively view of life and love in 17th-century England, marked by Osborne’s straightforwardness and distinct charm.
Aphra Behn broke literary boundaries in her time, blending drama, fiction, and sharp social critique. Readers who enjoy Montagu's wit and fearless perspective will appreciate Behn’s steady willingness to explore controversial topics.
Her novel Oroonoko vividly portrays the realities of slavery and colonialism, using compelling storytelling to challenge perceptions and provoke thought.
Eliza Haywood’s fiction offers a sharp portrait of 18th-century society, particularly the lives and emotions of women. Like Montagu, Haywood combines vibrant narrative styles with thoughtful reflection and keen insight into human nature.
Her notable work, Love in Excess, explores the complexities of love, desire, and ambition, making it a highly readable depiction of romantic and social dynamics.
Samuel Richardson gained fame for novels featuring detailed character portrayals, emotional depth, and a strong sense of realism. Fans of Montagu’s perceptive views, especially on women’s experiences, will find resonance in Richardson’s approach.
His novel Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded focuses on a young woman navigating power and morality, providing an engrossing exploration of societal constraints and personal strength.
Henry Fielding is an author readers of Mary Wortley Montagu may enjoy for his witty, satirical style and sharp commentary on society. His writing highlights human flaws and social absurdities with humor and insight.
A great starting point is his novel Tom Jones, which follows the adventures and misadventures of its lively and often reckless hero. Fielding blends narrative humor with sharp observations on human nature and morality.
Fanny Burney provides appealing characters, social observation, and gentle satire, suited well to fans of Mary Wortley Montagu's lucid and sharp-eyed prose. Burney's novel Evelina portrays the experiences of a young woman navigating high-society London.
Her writing humorously explores etiquette, reputation, and the difficulties women faced in establishing independence and identity within restrictive social expectations.
Hester Thrale Piozzi was a contemporary observer whose vivid, perceptive writing style would appeal to readers who enjoy Montagu's witty correspondence and astute commentary on daily life.
In her work Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson, Piozzi offers personal and insightful glimpses into the famous lexicographer's character and everyday experiences, displaying her keen sense of observation and refined humor.
Elizabeth Inchbald writes clearly and concisely about social norms and the everyday experiences of women confronting societal constraints, similar to Montagu's straightforward yet thoughtful approach.
Her novel A Simple Story explores complex relationships, class distinctions, and the struggles of women to assert their agency. Inchbald's sharp observations and emotional depth make her accessible to readers drawn to intelligent, socially-engaged writing.
Catherine the Great provides an intriguing perspective as a writer whose style is direct, insightful, and filled with interest in culture, politics, and human nature—qualities Montagu readers would likely appreciate.
Her memoir, Memoirs of Catherine the Great, offers a frank and detailed narration of her early life, her ambition, and her experiences as a powerful woman in a male-dominated society.
Catherine's writing is both engaging and perceptive, reflecting her sharp intelligence and strength of character.