Lady Audley's Secret
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Author Description
When beautiful young Lucy Graham accepts the hand of Sir Michael Audley, her fortune and her future look secure. But Lady Audley's past is shrouded in mystery, and Sir Michael's nephew Robert has vague forebodings. When Robert's good friend George Talboys suddenly disappears, he is determined to find him, and to unearth the truth. His quest reveals a tangled story of lies and deception, crime and intrigue, whose sensational twists turn the conventional picture of Victorian womanhood on its head. Can Robert's darkest suspicions really be true?A publishing sensation in its day, Lady Audley's Secret is a thrilling novel of deception and villainy in which the golden-haired heroine is not at all what she seems. But it is not just a pot-boiler. Indeed, Mary Elizabeth Braddon's terrific plot touches on many contemporary social concerns, including class, madness, and the separate roles of men and women. Lyn Pykett's introduction illuminates Braddon's fascinating tale of bigamy, murder, impersonation, and blackmail in the context of the nineteenth-century sensation novel and Braddon's immensely successful career. Throughout the book, thorough notes elucidate literary and historical allusions and shed light on the social mores of the day. In addition, the book includes an up-to-date bibliography and a full chronology of Braddon's life and work.Lady Audley's Secret was an immediate bestseller, and readers have enjoyed its thrilling plot ever since its first publication in 1862. This marvelous new edition introduces Braddon's portrait of her scheming heroine to a new generation of readers.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
When the beautiful and seemingly innocent Lucy Graham marries the wealthy Sir Michael Audley, she triggers a chain of events that exposes a dark, hidden past. Robert Audley, the nephew of Sir Michael, becomes suspicious of his new aunt after his friend George Talboys mysteriously vanishes. As Robert investigates the disappearance, he uncovers a web of secrets, bigamy, and criminal intent that threatens the stability of the Audley estate. The narrative unfolds through a series of revelations that challenge the rigid social expectations placed upon Victorian women, forcing the characters to confront the reality behind the facade of domestic bliss.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Use of the sensation novel genre to critique Victorian social mores.
- Exploration of the duality between public appearance and private reality.
- Incorporation of themes such as bigamy, madness, and social class mobility.
- A central mystery driven by the disappearance of a key character.
- Characterization of the 'angel in the house' trope subverted through the protagonist.
- Pacing characterized by suspenseful plot twists and dramatic revelations.
- Detailed examination of the legal and social constraints facing women in the 19th century.
- Atmospheric setting that contrasts the comfort of the English countryside with hidden corruption.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently highlight the novel as a definitive example of the 19th-century sensation genre, praising its ability to blend domestic drama with high-stakes suspense. Discussion often centers on the complexity of Lady Audley herself, as she remains one of the most debated figures in Victorian literature due to her calculated actions and ambiguous motivations. Critics often note that while the plot is fast-paced and filled with intrigue, it also serves as a sharp commentary on the gender roles and class anxieties of the era. The balance between the traditional mystery elements and the psychological depth of the characters ensures that the work remains a frequent subject of academic study and popular interest. Readers appreciate how the narrative maintains tension while providing a window into the social pressures of the time.
Page Count:
496
Publication Date:
2012-01-13
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
019957703X
ISBN-13:
9780199577033
Crime
Mystery
Gothic
English & College Success
English
Victorian
Married People
Fiction psychological
England
classic
