Self-Control: A Novel

Self-Control is a novel by Scottish author Mary Brunton, first published in 1811. The story follows Laura Montreville as she navigates personal loss, family struggles, and complex relationships, particularly with her mother and Colonel Hargrave. Notable for being one of the first novels set against a Scottish backdrop, it explores themes of self-denial and moral integrity, influencing later writers like Jane Austen. Brunton aimed to illustrate the importance of religious principles in achieving self-control and challenged contemporary notions of romance and marriage.