Published anonymously in 1894, “A Superfluous Woman” quickly emerged as one of the most celebrated “New Woman” novels of the late 19th century. The story opens with Jessamine Halliday, a privileged young aristocrat, who appears to be on the brink of death. Her desperate family enlists the help of an unconventional doctor who recognizes that her ailment stems from the ennui and stagnation often faced by upper-class English women. His prescription? A shift in perspective and a journey toward self-discovery. As he guides Jessamine to critically examine her identity and the value of meaningful work, she takes the bold step of fleeing London and a looming high-society marriage to pursue humble farm work in Scotland. However, shedding the constraints of her upbringing proves to be a far more daunting task than she anticipated. (Summary by Bruce Pirie)