#United Kingdom #The Coquette #Hannah Webster #P-Wave Press #Poole

P-Wave Classics Unveils New Edition of

The Coquette

P-Wave Press has announced an exciting and significant publication: a newly revised edition of The Coquette, originally penned by Hannah Webster Foster. This groundbreaking work, which first appeared anonymously in 1797, is not only a key text in American literature but also a stirring exploration of female autonomy, societal expectations, and moral conduct in early American society.

The Coquette centers on the character of Eliza Wharton, a spirited and intelligent woman ensnared in the rigid conventions of her time. Inspired in part by the actual death of Elizabeth Whitman, whose life became a focal point for public discourse in the nascent American republic, the novel chronicles Eliza's struggles for personal freedom within a confined societal framework. The narrative is uniquely structured as a series of letters, providing a deeply personal and emotionally charged perspective on the constraints placed upon women.

The forthcoming edition of The Coquette aims to re-establish the novel’s relevance as a cultural text—active and engaging—rather than merely a moral artifact of its time. It includes an expertly prepared reading text, which is supplemented by two essential documents from the novel's 19th-century reception:

1. The Historical Preface by Jane E. Locke (1855), which sought to contextualize the moral and biographical implications of both Eliza Wharton and her real-life counterpart.
2. Caroline Wells Healey Dall’s The Romance of the Association (1875), presented here in full. This passionate and insightful commentary critiques the simplistic interpretations of both Foster's work and Whitman's life.

These supplementary texts reflect the passionate debates that surrounded The Coquette long after its first publication, demonstrating how literature, biography, and moral evaluations intertwine in the public consciousness. The new edition of P-Wave Classics endeavors to keep this conversation alive—encouraging readers to engage rather than take a passive stance toward the narrative.

Carefully referencing early printings, this edition preserves the essence and stylistic nuances of Foster’s original text while making minor adjustments to spelling inconsistencies to enhance the reading experience. New editorial notes will serve to aid contemporary audiences, distinguishing them clearly from the original text.

As noted by P-Wave Press, “The Coquette has never solely been a novel; it encourages discourse regarding women’s rights, moral responsibilities, and the dynamics of storytelling. This new edition re-engages with that ongoing conversation.” Its combination of literary beauty, historical significance, and modern-day relevance solidifies The Coquette as an essential read.

Set to launch on April 21, 2026, this edition will be available in both paperback and digital formats, aiming to attract a diverse readership eager to explore and reevaluate one of America’s pivotal narratives. Readers will be invited not only to pass judgment on Eliza Wharton but to truly understand her circumstances while reflecting on the cultural debates that shaped her destiny.

P-Wave Press is committed to bringing literature to life, ensuring that works like The Coquette are continually discussed and understood in the context of their time and significance today.