Love in Excess (1719-1720) is a novel by Eliza Haywood. Published in
three parts by printer William Chetwood, the novel marked Haywood' debut
on the London literary scene. It was an immediate bestseller, going
through several reprintings in Haywood's lifetime. Love in Excess is
considered a prime example of the popular genre of amatory fiction,
which often used love triangles to expose the imbalance between male and
female desire in a patriarchal society. Like all young aristocratic
women of their time, Alovisa and Amena are expected to wait for a
marriage proposal to fall into their laps. Forbidden from expressing her
desires, Alovisa decides to send an anonymous letter to the handsome,
rakish D'Elmont. When he receives it, however, he thinks it has been
sent by Amena, whom her promptly begins to pursue. Disappointed, Alovisa
conspires with Amena's father--who disapproves of D'Elmont--to have her
rival sent to a convent. Although Alovisa ends up with her beau of
choice, she soon realizes that desire has a funny way of concealing a
lover's true nature. With a beautifully designed cover and
professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Eliza Haywood's Love
in Excess is a classic of English literature reimagined for modern
readers.