Hermsprong; or, Man as He is Not

A radical outsider, a fearless heroine and a society laid bare

First published in 1796, Robert Bage’s Hermsprong; or, Man as He is Not is a daring novel of social satire and progressive thought. Hermsprong, an American-raised gentleman untouched by Britain’s rigid class system, confronts the corruption, pretension and hypocrisy of the English elite.

At the centre of the story is Maria Fluart, one of the most striking heroines of the age. Witty, outspoken and unafraid to challenge the men around her—even brandishing a pistol when pressed—she embodies a spirited independence rarely seen in fiction of the period.

Bage himself was admired by Sir Walter Scott, yet Hermsprong has long been overlooked. Satirical and humane, it offers a fearless defence of equality, sincerity and freedom of thought.

This new three-volume P-Wave Classics edition features an original introduction and extensive notes, situating Bage’s remarkable novel in the ferment of the late Enlightenment and the early Romantic age.

Edited with notes and an introduction by L.A. Davenport.

This volume contains the Biographical Introduction, Editorial Note and the opening volume of the novel.

Our classics are produced as comfortable reading editions, with compact A-format paperbacks, readable type, standard paperback paper and, where appropriate, the original volume structure restored. They are designed to make classic literature feel fresh, accessible and a pleasure to read.

Explore the themes, ideas and historical context behind Robert Bage’s Hermsprong in this series of essays from P-Wave Press:

• Why Hermsprong Walks Everywhere: How walking on foot became a subtle challenge to class, status and social hierarchy in late eighteenth-century Britain.
• A Novel Written Outside London, and Against It: Why Robert Bage sets Hermsprong far from the capital, and how the novel resists London’s cultural dominance.
• Maria Fluart: A Problem for Polite Society: On wit, power and one of the boldest heroines of the eighteenth-century novel.
• Women, Education and Equality in the 1790s: How Hermsprong engages with debates over female education, marriage and women’s autonomy that continue to resonate today.

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"…a masterful blend of sharp social satire and progressive ideals. With its fearless heroine, Maria Fluart, and its critique of societal hypocrisy, this novel is both thought-provoking and entertaining. A timeless gem that champions equality and freedom!" Bookseller 2007231, NetGalley.

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"Written in 1796 and every bit as sharp today, this is a witty and sardonic look at English society, poking fun at inherited rank, religious hypocrisy and the treatment of women with equal relish."

"If you enjoy dry, ironic wit with genuine moral bite, this is well worth your time."

"Congrats to the editor Davenport, who deserves credit for making this so accessible. The footnotes explain everything from classical references to 18th-century legal terms and social customs, so nothing gets lost in translation." Richard L, Educator, NetGalley.

Robert Bage (1728–1801) was an English novelist, paper manufacturer and thinker aligned with Enlightenment and radical ideas. Born in Derbyshire, he combined business with wide intellectual interests, moving in dissenting and reformist circles that included Erasmus Darwin and members of the Lunar Society. Between 1781 and 1796 he published six novels, culminating in his most celebrated work, Hermsprong; or, Man as He is Not. Noted for its satire of privilege and its proto-feminist heroine Maria Fluart, the novel challenged religious orthodoxy, social hierarchy and gender roles. Admired by contemporaries such as Sir Walter Scott, Bage’s fiction remains distinctive for its wit, candour and commitment to equality, even as his works have been neglected in modern times.

L. A. Davenport, born in Cork, Ireland, in 1973, is a novelist and short story writer whose works include The Nucleus of Reality, Escape, and No Way Home. A graduate of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, he brings extensive experience in medical journalism to his insightful and engaging fiction and non-fiction.

Learn more about L. A. Davenport and his writing at Pushing the Wave.