Case 8
- Pioneer Women Writers
Isabella Aylmer. Distant homes: or, The Graham family in New Zealand. London: Griffith & Farran, 1862.
In 1862, Isabella Aylmer became the first woman to publish a novel about New Zealand. Aylmer, however, never visited New Zealand. Distant Homes is based on letters from relatives in Akaroa, fleshed out with information from emigrants’ handbooks, plus a modicum of imagination.
Modelled on the adventures of the Swiss Family Robinson, Distant Homes is clearly written for a British audience fascinated by faraway lands. It contains many curious inaccuracies in its topographical, natural and cultural descriptions.
Little is known of the author, who was the wife of Captain J.E. Aylmer, a Crimean War veteran. She has historically been confused with her relation and namesake Isabella Aylmer, wife of the Reverend W.J. Aylmer of Akaroa.
Isabella Aylmer. Distant homes: or, The Graham family in New Zealand. London: Griffith & Farran, 1862.
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Charlotte Evans. Over the hills and far away: a story of New Zealand. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low & Searle, 1874.
Charlotte Evans (1841-1882) was the author of two of New Zealand’s earliest romance novels, Over the hills and far away and A strange friendship, both published in 1874 with the same subtitle, A story of New Zealand.
Both novels are set in Canterbury but reminiscent of genteel England. Evans wrote for a chiefly British audience, but unlike Aylmer, was based locally.
Born Charlotte Lees in Oldham, England, she emigrated to New Zealand with her parents in 1864 and married an Irish immigrant Eyre Evans in North Otago in 1868. Her literary output also included poetry and short stories. Charlotte Evans died in Oamaru aged 40 in 1882.
Charlotte Evans. Over the hills and far away: a story of New Zealand. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low & Searle, 1874.
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Charlotte Evans. A strange friendship: a story of New Zealand. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low & Searle, 1874.
Charlotte Evans (1841-1882) was the author of two of New Zealand’s earliest romance novels, Over the hills and far away and A strange friendship, both published in 1874 with the same subtitle, A story of New Zealand.
Both novels are set in Canterbury but reminiscent of genteel England. Evans wrote for a chiefly British audience, but unlike Aylmer, was based locally.
Born Charlotte Lees in Oldham, England, she emigrated to New Zealand with her parents in 1864 and married an Irish immigrant Eyre Evans in North Otago in 1868. Her literary output also included poetry and short stories. Charlotte Evans died in Oamaru aged 40 in 1882.
Charlotte Evans. A strange friendship: a story of New Zealand. London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low & Searle, 1874.
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