The History of Emily Montague opens three years after the conclusion of the Seven Years' War, with letters spanning from April 1766 to November 1767. This epistolary novel, primarily written from the perspectives of Colonel Edward Rivers, a British officer seeking a future in the newly acquired Canadian colony, and Arabella Fermor, the witty friend of Emily Montague, offers readers a unique blend of romance, historical context, and intellectual trends. While the love story follows traditional themes - financial struggles, marital misunderstandings, and eventual resolutions - Brooke's novel stands out for its incorporation of various literary movements from the 18th century.

Brooke's blending of realism, sentimentalism, and the picturesque within a colonial setting, along with her commentary on British imperialism and identity, offers readers a fresh perspective on both 18th-century fiction and early Canadian literature. With its unique mix of romance, political and social commentary, and picturesque aesthetics, The History of Emily Montague continues to captivate readers interested in the literary and cultural trends of the time.

The History of Emily Montague is considered the first Canadian novel. Written by a British colonist, Frances Brooke, in an epistolary form, the novel is remarkable for its observations of the lives and traditions of Quebecers and Natives, as well as the manners of the upper-British classes. This is a scholarly edition that brings to light new information about the times and the context of the novel.

Frances Brooke was born in England in 1724. She moved to Quebec with her husband, where she chronicled her life as a first-generation English colonist.