Set in Ireland prior to its achieving legislative independence from Britain in 1782, Castle Rackrent tells the story of three generations of an estate--owning family as seen through the eyesand as told in the voiceof their longtime servant, Thady Quirk, recorded and commented on by an anonymous Editor. This edition of Maria Edgeworth's first novel is based on the 1832 edition, the last revised by her, and includes Susan Kubica Howard's foot-of-the-page notes on the text of the memoir as well as on the notes and glosses the Editor offers "for the information of the ignorant English reader." Howards Introduction situates the novel in its political and historical context and suggests a reading of the novel as Edgeworths contribution to the discussion of the controversial Act of Union between Ireland and Britain that went into effect immediately after the novels publication in London in 1800.