Written by Unca Eliza Winkfield (likely a pseudonym; the real of name of the author is still not known), The Female American (originally published in 1767) tells the story of a half-Native American, half-English woman who is marooned on an island - at first seemingly alone - after a devastating shipwreck.
The woman, however, quickly learns that she is, in fact, not alone. There are indigenous people on the island who she teaches Christianity so that she can survive in the event that rescue comes for her. This book covers topics like feminism, survival, religion, gender, and imperialism. It is book of suffering, self-acceptance, history, social science, and profound importance.
To that end, The Female American received positive reviews at its release and continues to receive positive reviews to this day (though it is, at present, considered a mostly forgotten novel). One reviewer compared the book favorably to Robin Crusoe, remarking that The Female American is "better" than the Robin Crusoe "in many ways" not least because of Crusoe's length.
