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18th Century London. Two young women, Cleomira and Belinda are desperate to find love. But so far, the path to true love hasn't run smooth. As they befriend each other over their past disappointments, they realise they have both been in very similar situations. Each seduced by a man pretending to be someone he isn't, both have been left abandoned and alone. But could there be something deeper that connects these two women ...' THE BRITISH RECLUSE is a classic eighteenth century novella, written by witty and satirical author, Eliza Haywood.. Eliza Haywood (c. 1693 - 25 February 1756), born Elizabeth Fowler, was an English writer, actress and publisher. An increase in interest and recognition of Haywood's literary works began in the 1980s. Described as "prolific even by the standards of a prolific age", Haywood wrote and published over seventy works during her lifetime including fiction, drama, translations, poetry, conduct literature and periodicals (Blouch 7). Haywood is a significant figure of the 18th century as one of the important founders of the novel in English. Today she is studied primarily as a novelist. OROONOKO PRESS is committed to making classic texts by pre-nineteenth century authors available for a contemporary audience.