Lady Audley's Secret Publisher: Wordsworth Editions

by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Excellent Book

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Mystery, Gothic, Victorian, 19th Century, Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1862

About the author

Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a British Victorian era popular novelist. She was an extremely prolific writer, producing some 75 novels with very inventive plots. The most famous one is her first novel, Lady Audley's Secret (1862), which won her recognition and fortune as well. The novel has been in print ever since, and has been dramatised and filmed several times.

Braddon also founded Belgravia Magazine (1866), which presented readers with serialized sensation novels, poems, travel narratives, and biographies, as well as essays on fashion, history, science. She also edited Temple Bar Magazine. Braddon's legacy is tied to the Sensation Fiction of the 1860s.

She is also the mother of novelist W.B. Maxwell.

Reviews

[mark monday · Rating 4 out of 5]

whatever could be Lady Audley's secret? could it be... murder? miscegenation? malfeasance? misdirected malevolence ending in tears, tragedy, and general tawdriness? an assumed identity? flatulence? that not-so-fresh feeling? bigamy? bigotry? child abuse? child abandonment? une affaire de coeur? une affaire de blanchiment d'argent? well, all or some of those things may or may not be a part of this novel - but they are not the secret in question. Lady Audley's terrible, terrible secret is...
ha! did you actually think i was going to tell you? think again, sucker!

this ripping victorian yarn is a tale of deceit and possible death, of class barriers breached, a man gone missing, long-held love and quick infatuation, uptight upper class twits mercilessly skewered and drunken lower class buffoons broadly lampooned. it has brilliant and ambitious Lady Audley and her equally ambitious but rather less brilliant servant. it has one of the more charming protagonists i've come across - the lazy, well-meaning, animal-loving young barrister Robert Audley, whose favored activities are smoking his pipe and napping. it has mystery, intrigue, vengeance, and dark rainy nights where evil deeds are afoot. and hey, guess what, it subverts paradigms! sorta.

Mary Elizabeth Braddon was a popular writer of what appears to be a million potboilers during everyone's favorite english time period, The Victorian Era. nowadays she is practically unknown. that's rather sad because she deserves much better. the novel is stylish and very easy going down. it is the opposite of a torturous experience - it is delightful! and beautifully written as well: a winding but briskly paced narrative with fascinating and often amusing characters, fun twists and turns, overstuffed with lavish description and poetic imagery, and - best of all - an ironically formal and sneakily caustic authorial voice. the wonderful wit in this novel is delicious. delicious! i just used that word to describe a novel! i feel like Oscar Wilde. or Dame Edna.

if you've read this one, then you know the real selling point: LADY AUDLEY ROCKS! the english class system is no barrier to her dreams. i'd hesitate to call her a feminist icon, but she knows how to make things happen and how to take care of business. such a great villainess. and i barely consider her to be villainous.

some spoilers follow ... but i'm still not giving away Lady Audley's secret. mainly because i think it is a rather tedious secret and one of the weaker elements of the novel.

i am confident that Braddon knew exactly what she was doing when she crafted the character of Lady Audley. this wondrous psychopath utterly rejects her so-called 'place in life' as some drudge in a small town. she uses the weapons she has at her disposal to get ahead: her doll-like beauty, her sweet and cheery smile that lights up a room and makes you feel like you are the most important person in that room, her perfect poise and her perfect manners, her truly phenomenal talent at lying, and her quick-thinking ability to promptly push an annoyingly threatening fellow right down a well. throughout the novel, i was 100% on Lady Audley's team. i love seeing class systems scorned by the underclass and i love seeing them mercilessly dismantled - even if it is a brief and inevitably foiled uprising. Spartacus!

so yeah, Lady Audley: i love her. her pride, her machinations, her capacity for violence, her elegant skill at avoiding public confrontations with annoying nobodies like resentful stepdaughters, clingy first husbands, and nosy young barristers. oh, Lady Audley, you are the dreamiest of mercenaries!

[Candi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What do we know of the mysteries that may hang about the houses we enter?"

I was both intrigued and hesitant to read this mid-nineteenth century work. First of all, I just had to know this huge secret that Lady Audley would presumably be keeping from us! Secondly, this is labeled as a sensation novel, which to me goes hand in hand with that dreaded term: melodrama. I don’t necessarily mind a bit of verbosity here and there in my classic fiction, in fact I somewhat expect it. However, melodrama is an element I prefer to steer clear of. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. The taste of melodrama did not turn me off completely. Rather, it only forced me to shave a star from my rating. Otherwise, I quite enjoyed this!

I won’t really get into the plot, as it would be too revealing. The author gives away a bit too much up front. However, there is much more to discover farther along, so don’t set it aside too quickly should you choose to pick this one up someday. I relished the gothic atmosphere and the frequent foreshadowing. Audley Court, home to Sir Michael Audley and his much younger second wife, Lady Audley, is an idyllic sort of home but with an aura of mystery about it (much like its inhabitants.)

"A noble place; inside as well as out, a noble place—a house in which you incontinently lost yourself if ever you were so rash as to attempt to penetrate its mysteries alone…"

The characters too are sharply sketched. Robert Audley, barrister and nephew to Sir Michael, is depicted as an idle fellow. One of those types that we would now call ‘book-smart’, but lacking in the area of common sense perhaps. Educated yet aimless. However, when a person dear to his heart turns up missing, the spark is lit and he is jolted into action. He becomes a man obsessed.

"The one idea of his life had become his master. He was the bonden slave of one gloomy thought—one horrible presentiment."

His wits are pitted against those of Lady Audley, a woman who may not be the childlike, helpless young lady she appears to be. The proud yet neglected stepdaughter, Alicia Audley, may be on to my lady, but isn’t she just being a tad bit jealous of all the attention daddy now gives to the new woman in his life? Maybe not; after all, the instincts of animals usually prove to be correct, don’t they?

"She may bewitch every man in Essex, but she’d never make friends with my dog."

I have to admit, I became rather intrigued as the plot moved along towards the second half of the novel. It was quite thrilling, in fact! I may have guessed a bit here and there, but I didn’t quite figure out as much as I expected I would. The end may have been a bit too neat and tidy; the author even admits this to her audience at the end. I’ll gladly accept her apology, as this was a fun romp despite the pat ending.

"Foul deeds have been done under the most hospitable roofs; terrible crimes have been committed amid the fairest scenes, and have left no trace upon the spot where they were done."

[Piyangie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Audley's Secret is a Victorian "sensational". My love for "sensational" novels began with The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. I read that Lady Audley's Secret is regarded as a rival to The Woman in White and it made me want to read the book.

Told by an unknown narrator, the story is focused on a "secret" of a woman named Lady Audley and the ultimate revelation of what that secret is. When I reflect on the story after reading, it strikes me as pretty simple and straightforward. But the beauty lies in the twists and turns Ms. Braddon so carefully employs to keep the reader guessing on the big secret of Lady Audley. She lays down clues and throws hints here and there without giving away too much and keeping the secret well-guarded until the time is right for a confession by Lady Audley.

I found the writing of Ms. Braddon remarkable. There is so much beauty in her metaphoric prose. The subtle descriptions of a setting, a character, or anything in general, is so colourful that you are instantly transported to the time and setting of the story. Though her writing is a little verbose at times, this was balanced with the use of simple dialogues. The usage of such techniques made the read both interesting and quick.

The set of characters used is unique and intriguing. The main male character, Robert Audley, is a young barrister. He is lazy and purposeless; but by fate, the discovery of Lady Audley's secret is forced on him. The story is both this discovery and Robert's struggle to gather clues and evidence towards this discovery at the risk of his own life. I truly enjoyed reading how Robert's character was developed throughout the story. From an idling and purposeless life, he was slowly but steadily uplifted to a responsible and intellectually mature one. Throughout his journey to unveil the secret, he becomes determined and courageous and he finally understands his duties and responsibilities to his loved ones and the society at large. I was very much impressed with his character development.

While Robert Audley represented the detective, judge and the jury, and the executioner, the culprit was Lady Audley, a wicked and treacherous woman who uses her beauty to appease her mercenary intentions. Lady Audley is undoubtedly the most dangerous female villain I have come across. She is resourceful and has a surpassing strength of mind and she can only be compared to a demon in the guise of an angel. The battle between these two main characters that were on opposite ends was truly intriguing. Throughout the read, I was in the middle of a waging war waiting impatiently for the truth and justice to triumph. All the other characters were well placed and developed in the course of the story. They provided a well-structured backdrop for the story.

Having read both The Woman in White and Lady Audley's Secret, I now understand why it is said that they rival each other. While The Woman in White touches on the male villainy against innocent and unprotected females, in Lady Audley's Secret the gender role is switched; here we find female villainy against the males. It is said that Ms. Braddon had admired The Woman in White but was not happy with Collin's heroine. And as The Woman in White served as an inspiration for Ms. Braddon to pen Lady Audley's Secret, it is quite natural that Ms. Braddon purposefully used a character who has an incredible strength of mind and who is resourceful as the female lead, though she represented evil.

Overall, it was a great "sensational" story and a great reading experience. I loved every minute of reading it. To those who have an appetite for "sensational" stories, I highly recommend Lady Audley's Secret.

More of my reviews can be found athttp://piyangiejay.com/

[Pia G. · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

mysterious events at audley court | october 1862 | special edition

the extraordinary events that have taken place around audley court in recent weeks have forced this newspaper to dip its pen into the ink again and again. a missing gentleman, unexpected fortunes, suspicions passed around in whispers and at the centre of it all, a lady who seems almost to have stepped out of a fairy tale.

at first glance, this case appeared to be little more than a sensational news story. however, as the case files grew, statements multiplied, and names from the past, thought to have been forgotten, came to light once more, our reporter realised that something far stranger was at hand.

this matter has taken a far stranger turn than our readers might imagine. for our investigations show that the dazzling lady of audley court hasn't merely built a new life, but has also tried to leave her old one behind. yet the real question troubling our reporter is another: how far can a person walk away from their own past? our findings indicate that lady audley has placed a new name, a new circle of acquaintances and a new story between herself and her former life. still, some traces, however carefully concealed, have no intention of disappearing.

a new name in the case file

lucy graham has long been admired by those around her. known for her grace, beauty, and the opportunities fortune has granted her, this young woman appears at first glance to be the heroine of a perfect story of social advancement. however, information that has reached our pages suggests that another name may be hiding between the lines of this story.

rumours circulating around audley court are growing by the day. although the name at the centre of the case appears to remain unchanged, the whispers now revolve around a single question: who is lady audley, really?

sparks and ashes

according to our latest reports, tensions between robert audley, who has been digging into this secret and the lady of audley court are rising by the day. as those following the case closely will know, some secrets refuse to be buried quietly. as the possibility of the past coming to light again grows, the thought that even the smallest spark could turn into a great fire casts a shadow over the entire case.

the reporter's opinion

as this case file is closed, our reporter has come to the following conclusion: lady audley's secret is finally coming to light, but what makes this case interesting isn't so much the secret itself as the fear that gave rise to it. unfortunately, as this case also shows, the past is sometimes one of the most stubborn witnesses.

now we ask you, dear readers; when justice finds this woman, which name will it call? lucy or helen? or a third name, caught between the life she left behind and the one she's built?

we leave the question of the lady's identity to our readers.

as for the missing gentleman, the following notice may prove of some interest.

missing gentleman notice: a gentleman who disappeared after returning from australia is being sought. he was last reportedly seen in the vicinity of audley court. anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is kindly requested to contact the relevant authorities without delay.

note: it is believed that if the gentleman is found, certain old secrets may be seriously disturbed.

●

audley court'ta esrarengiz gelişmeler | ekim 1862 | özel baskı

son haftalarda audley court çevresinde yaşanan olağanüstü hadiseler, bu gazeteyi kalemini mürekkebe yeniden ve yeniden batırmaya mecbur bırakmıştır. kayıp bir beyefendi, beklenmedik servetler, fısıltılarla dolaşan şüpheler ve bütün bu hikâyenin merkezinde duran neredeyse bir peri masalından çıkmış izlenimi veren bir hanımefendi.

ilk bakışta bu vaka, sıradan bir sansasyon haberinden ibaret görünüyordu. ne var ki dosyalar büyüdükçe, ifadeler çoğaldıkça ve geçmişe ait unutulduğu sanılan isimler yeniden gün ışığına çıktıkça, muhabirimiz çok daha tuhaf bir meseleyle karşı karşıya olduğunu fark etti.

bu mesele, okuyucularımızın tahmin ettiğinden çok daha tuhaf bir hâl almıştır. zira araştırmalarımız göstermektedir ki audley court'un göz kamaştırıcı hanımefendisi yalnızca yeni bir hayat kurmamış, eski hayatını da geride bırakmaya çalışmıştır. fakat muhabirimizin zihnini meşgul eden asıl soru başkadır: insan kendi geçmişinden ne kadar uzağa yürüyebilir? ulaştığımız bulgular göstermektedir ki lady audley, eski hayatıyla arasına yeni bir isim, yeni bir çevre ve yeni bir hikâye koymuştur. yine de bazı izler, üzerleri ne kadar dikkatle örtülürse örtülsün, kaybolmaya niyetli değildir.

dosyada yeni bir isim

lucy graham uzun süredir çevresindekilerin hayranlığını toplamaktadır. zarafeti, güzelliği ve talihin ona sunduğu imkânlarla adından söz ettiren bu genç kadın, ilk bakışta kusursuz bir yükseliş hikâyesinin kahramanı gibi görünmektedir. gelgelelim sayfalarımıza ulaşan bilgiler, bu hikâyenin satır aralarında başka bir ismin de dolaştığını düşündürmektedir.

audley court çevresinde dolaşan söylentiler her geçen gün artmaktadır. vakanın merkezindeki isim değişmemiş görünse de, çevredeki fısıltılar artık tek bir sorunun etrafında toplanmaktadır: lady audley gerçekten kimdir?

kıvılcımlar ve küller

aldığımız son duyumlara göre, bu sırrı kurcalayan robert audley ile audley court'un hanımefendisi arasındaki gerilim her geçen gün artmaktadır. olayların seyrini yakından takip edenler için bazı sırlar sessizce gömülmeye razı olmaz. geçmişin yeniden gün yüzüne çıkma ihtimali belirdikçe, küçük bir kıvılcımın bile büyük bir yangına dönüşebileceği ihtimali, bütün dosyanın üzerine gölge düşürmektedir.

muhabirin kanaati

​bu dosya kapatılırken muhabirimizin vardığı kanaat şudur: lady audley'nin sırrı sonunda ortaya çıkmaktadır ancak bu vakayı ilgi çekici kılan şey sırrın kendisinden ziyade onu doğuran korkudur. maalesef ki bu dosyanın da gösterdiği üzere, geçmiş bazen en inatçı şahitlerden biridir.

şimdi size soruyoruz sevgili okuyucularımız; adalet bu kadını bulduğunda hangi adını çağıracaktır? lucy mi, helen mi? yoksa geride bıraktığı hayatla yeni kurduğu hayat arasında sıkışıp kalmış üçüncü bir ismi mi?

hanımefendinin kimliği meselesini okuyucularımıza bırakıyoruz.

kayıp beyefendiye gelince, aşağıdaki ilan biraz ilgi çekebilir.

kayıp beyefendi ilanı: avustralya'dan dönmesinin ardından ortadan kaybolan bir beyefendi aranmaktadır. son olarak audley court civarında görüldüğü bildirilmektedir. kendisini görenlerin veya akıbeti hakkında bilgi sahibi olanların vakit kaybetmeden ilgili makamlara müracaat etmeleri rica olunur.

not: beyefendinin bulunması hâlinde bazı eski sırların ciddi şekilde rahatsız olabileceği düşünülmektedir.

[Sean Barrs · Rating 3 out of 5]

After around fifty pages or so of reading this I was incredibly disappointed. I’d found out what Lady Audley’s secret was. I didn’t really want to read any further. But, that’s what I was meant to think. Her actual secret isn’t revealed to the very end. And, I must say, I was rather surprised. I didn't see it coming.

It was quite a shocking discovery. I’d spent the rest of the novel is a state of absolute certainty regarding the secret. I thought it was quite a crap secret to be honest. Well, not entirely crap, but revealed too early within the narrative. It disrupted the narrative drive, I felt like I had nothing new to discover. But, again, that’s because it wasn’t the real secret. It was a red herring meant to throw the reader off. The result of this was a pleasant surprise towards the end, though it also meant that the first third of the novel were incredibly slow, whereas the last parts were intense and utterly gripping. Overall, it was a fairly enjoyable book, but I could not get over my lack of engagement with it in the beginning. Its purposeful obviousness made me want to stop reading, but it did make up for it in the end.

"My intellect is a little way upon the wrong side of that narrow boundary-line between sanity and insanity."

This is a sensational novel, so it was written with two purposes. The first was to shock its readership and the second was to make money. It has the obvious shock factor. The fact of what Lady Audley has done is incredibly shocking, and her true secret is even more surprising. To a Victorian audience this would have been scandalous. But, I don’t feel that there’s much beyond that. Yes, the plot had its moments, but literature like this needs more than an exciting plot. When I read a book like this I want to have emotions beyond a simple shocking; I want to see and feel the characters. But, I just couldn’t. There was an element of emotional depth missing in this.

I did like the detective aspects. They became quite thrilling. The exploration of the meaning of sanity was the most memorable thing of the novel. It follows the idea that it can be internalised and self-created. In the circumstance this was quite horrendous, but it was also an appropriate reaction. The Victorians didn’t understand what could, and what could not, be inherited from our parents; thus, this character has practically devised their own fate through their pitiful ignorance.

The stand offs between Robert Audley and Lady Audley were very tense. I was expecting to see something explosive happen after them:

“You seem to have quite a taste for discussing these horrible subjects," she said, rather scornfully; "you ought to have been a detective police officer."

"I sometimes think I should have been a good one."

"Why?"

"Because I am patient.”

Well he has good reason to be..........(I'm saying no more)

There was also the separate issue that my university insisted that we read it in periodical segments. We were to read a few chapters each week. I found this quite difficult. I read a lot of different books. So, to have a massive break like that between chapters meant that I’d actually forgotten most of what happened the week before. I had to rely on plot summaries to remind myself of what actually had happened in the book. I seriously recommend avoiding this. Whilst it may be quaint to read it in the same manner of the Victorians, I know for a fact that it hindered my appreciation of the novel.

I’ve tried to be deliberately cryptic in my review. This book relies on its shock factor, and I didn’t want to give anything away with a plot summary; it would spoil it. This was a thrilling read, the detective elements and the shock factors made it quite exciting, but I think this was mainly the case in the second volume. The third volume was very tense; however, the first volume felt very, very, flat. I did enjoy this, but I have no interest in reading anything else by this author.

[Justin Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Audley's Secret is a gorgeous example of the Victorian 'Sensation Novel' which dominated Great Britain during the 1860's and '70s. It includes a unique female mastermind of evil, while also presenting enough evidence for a lively counter argument over who the real villain is. The prose is top-notch and very modern. At times it reads more like the latest literary prize-winner and not something that was published over a hundred and fifty years ago. There’s plenty of mystery and suspense to keep the pages turning, but intriguing characters are what really keep you glued. It’s a shame that this classic no longer enjoys the massive popularity it once carried well into the early 20th century. It holds up extremely well.

Sensation Novels in general have been largely forgotten. The genre often consisted of over-the-top murder ploys, crime rings, fake identities, extreme domestic conflict and generally some mystery to sleuth. The premises were often pulled straight from the newspapers, where 'sensation journalists' hyped up the latest high-profile murder trial, marriage squabble, or some back alley mayhem happening throughout London.

This novel was no different. Braddon draws heavily from the headline-worthy Yelverton Case, where a man was accused of bigamy after marrying his lover while still married to his first wife. He argued that the first marriage was invalid because it was officiated under the Catholic religion (his wife’s faith) when he was an Irish Protestant. This bizarre argument resulted in one of the juiciest cross-examinations of the era, but the law ultimately sided with the man (of course). His first wife was left to ruin while he enjoyed no consequence.

Readers of Braddon will no doubt see a veiled resemblance between the plot of her novel and the real life Yelverton Case. Except Braddon flips the script and makes the woman the bigamist. There’s plenty of room for cross-examination as to the fairness of her outcome and who is ultimately responsible for putting the misdeeds into motion. Nobody comes out clean and it all makes for a great discussion. Check it out :)

[Dem · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely reading experience and quite a surprise too

I was given a fabulous gift of a reading subscription last year. I completed a very detailed questionnaire on my reading habits, and I now receive one surprise book every month. Each month's book has been picked with my reading taste in mind and I have read books that I would never have come across and am really enjoying the experience . Lady Audley's Secret was a pure gem of a novel that was chosen for me.

Every January I try to read a classic Novel and while I received this book in Sept I held out until January to read it. Serialised in Sixpenny magazine and the London Journal 1863, this novel really has stood the test of time and is still a page turner today.

"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 to Sir Michael's nephew Robert, she is not all that she seems. When his good friend George Talboys suddenly disappears, Robert 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?"

This was the perfect gothic fiction novel to lose yourself by a log fire and sweep away the January blues. From the first chapter I was drawn in by the writing, and the sense of time and place. One would imagine that the writing would be stilted and laborious in 2023 but I found it refreshing and easy to read. An atmospheric and suspenseful novel that keeps the reader guessing. Great characterization and a wonderful sense of time and place. I would love to have read this as a book club read as there are so many elements of the novel to explore as a group.


Another lovely novel for my real-life bookshelf and a book I can highly recommend if you have enjoyed books like The Woman in White and Rebecca

A Classis Fiction / Gothic Novel is like time travel, the reader is gifted with a portal to the past.

[She's So Novel! ꧁꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was recommended to me as a cross between Austen & Heyer but other than the abundance of grey eyes (Heyer) this book didn't remind me of either author - more like Conan Doyle or Poe.

Fortunately I love Conan Doyle & Poe.

Fast paced at the start, the book slowed down about three quarters of the way through with a lot of exposition and a lot of melodramatic angst. & for modern tastes, The Hero telling The Villainess his plan of action (& not just once!) was inexplicable. So, as usual I think the book would have been improved with a little pruning.

I don't think mental illness works quite the way Braddon writes it. However, although Lucy is one of fiction's great evildoers,

I've had to knock half a star off for an ending that really wimped out!

Edit: Sorry to bump, but I'm cleaning out my Photobucket account & I found the jpg I intended to use for this review (see above) It really is perfect!

[JimZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this read. I liked it so much I read it in two days...it was really hard to put down!

I, like many people when reading this in installments back in 1861 and 1862, was wondering in chapter after chapter what would happen next, and above all in chapter after chapter what was Lady Audrey’s secret. In those days the complete book was not available, but rather the chapters would come out on a periodic basis (from Wikipedia: Lady Audley's Secret was partly serialized in Robin Goodfellow magazine July–September 1861, then entirely serialized in Sixpenny Magazine January–December 1862 and once again serialized in London Journal March–August 1863).

The book that I had was a used one, and unfortunately for me, one of the past owners of the book on p. 144 of the 437-page book wrote in pen what Lady Audley’s secret was. Gee, thanks so much! Grrrr.... 😠 I soothed myself by reasoning that whoever wrote that was only guessing and didn’t really know the secret. 🤨 😐

I have two minor quibbles about this novel, but they do not detract from my overall enthusiasm for this book. One, the author revealed the secret well before the final chapter so reading book after the secret was revealed was less thrilling than reading it before the secret was revealed. Second, and perhaps this was done because the book was in serial form and I think she was paid by the chapter (or by the word?), she would get carried away in a description of some thing or event or a thought of some character — she might turn such things/events/thoughts into a page of text (where a paragraph or two would have sufficed), so that by the last third of the book when she would go off into a long description, I would tend to skim it rather than peruse each word. But lots of authors tended to do that...

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[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another fortuitous find from Virago Modern Classics. You never quite know what you might find with some of the lesser known works. I picked this up in a job lot. Braddon herself was a prolific writer of sensationalist novels, over eighty in all.
This was published in 1862 and is what was known as a sensationalist novel and there was plenty of sensation. It was actually loosely based on a real life case. There is bigamy, arson, child desertion, attempted murder (more than once) and lots of deception and wickedness. There are also questions about sanity and the reader is left to make up their own minds about that. It shatters the Victorian conception of domestic bliss. There are questions about gender and class. There was apparently a TV version in 2000 which seems to have passed me by entirely.
The questions about class and social mobility are relevant, especially in relation to Lady Audley who was born in poverty:
““Poverty—poverty, trials, vexations, humiliations, deprivations. You cannot tell; you, who are among those for whom life is so smooth and easy, you can never guess what is endured by such as we. Do not ask too much of me, then. I cannot be disinterested; I cannot be blind to the advantages of such an alliance. I cannot, I cannot!”
Beyond her agitation and her passionate vehemence, there is an undefined something in her manner which fills the baronet with a vague alarm. She is still on the ground at his feet, crouching rather than kneeling, her thin white dress clinging about her, her pale hair streaming over her shoulders, her great blue eyes glittering in the dusk, and her hands clutching at the black ribbon about her throat, as if it had been strangling her. “Don’t ask too much of me,” she kept repeating; “I have been selfish from my babyhood.””
This is a page turner with a touch of the gothic about it. Lady Audley makes a good villain, unfortunately the hero is pretty irritating and I was beginning to hope something nasty would happen to him. There are questions about the male gaze too as most of the males in the book seem to fall in love with Lady Audley because of her looks. It’s a bit over sentimental times, but I enjoyed it and it’s quite fun to watch out for the plot twists, you’ll trip over them!

[Ellie Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like The Woman In White I'd definitely read this x I just love this type of Victorian mystery and will be getting more by Braddon x

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logically, this is not a book that should appeal to me. What makes Lady Audley's Secret the special book that it is? Why do I like it as much as I do?

The book belongs to the genre of Gothic fiction. Here follows a definition:

“Gothic fiction refers to a style of writing that is characterized by elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom, as well as romantic elements, such as nature, individuality, and very high emotion.”

This fits the book to a T.

When I rate the book, I view it as one of its genre. As such, I deem it wrong to use other criteria when I judge it. The writing style is sentimental, sensational, wordy and over-the-top, but this fits the feel of the tale. It is what it is, and what it does it does well. It exudes atmosphere. It is not supposed to read as a presentation of clear, logical, unbiased fact. The ending is too rosy to be true, but it fits here. I say, if one writes a book of Gothic fiction, lay it on thick, don’t do it halfway.

Taste the writing style here:

"A glorious old place–a place that visitors fell into raptures with; finding a yearning wish to have done with life and stay there forever, staring into the cool fish-ponds, and counting the bubbles as the roach and carp rose to the surface of the water–a spot in which peace seemed to have taken up her abode, setting her soothing hand on every tree and flower; on the still ponds and quiet alleys."

It is in this lovely, idyllic setting that horrible crimes will take place. The contrast increases tension. Readers are shown that appearances are deceptive.

“He forgot that love, which is a madness, and a scourge, and a fever, and a delusion, and a snare, is also a mystery, and very imperfectly understood by everyone except the individual sufferer who writhes under its tortures.”

With these lines, I hope you sense the tone of the writing.

The plot of the story, there being murder and fires, bigamy, child abandonment and insanity, places the story into the genre of sensation novels too. Sensation fiction was a popular literary genre in Britain in the 1860s, which is when it first came out in serial format. The two genres overlap.

Thirdly, the author adds an element of psychological intrigue—in relation to both characters and themes. Themes are hinted at, rather than being actually pinned down. For example, feminism and homosexuality are alluded to.

“It is because women are never lazy. They don't know what it is to be quiet. They are Semiramides, and Cleopatras, and Joans of Arc, Queen Elizabeths, and Catharines the Second, and they riot in battle, and murder, and clamor in desperation.”

In reference to homosexuality, one is kept wondering about the relationship between the barrister Robert Audley and his Eton school friend, George Talboys. Relationships are not explicitly clarified; readers are kept thinking. We are left to analyze the hints given. For example, Robert ends up marrying Clara Talboys, who is George’s sister, and who, coincidentally, has an appearance similar to her brother’s .

The characters pique a reader’s interest. You come to see why and how they have come to be who they are. Each is different and each believable. What each one must deal with is opened up to the reader. The book has good character portrayals.

There is subtle humor written into the lines. Capturing an author’s prose style is difficult. I have tried to explain why I like it. In summary, the prose fits the tale, has humor and keeps you thinking. Even when wordy, it is not unclear.

Look at the title. We are to figure out Lady Audley’s secret. After I had read a mere fifteen percent of the novel, I was pretty darn sure who Lady Audley actually was and thus also her secret! Don’t stop reading; she has more secrets than one and other characters are keeping secrets too.

I recommend Lady Audley's Secret for the month of Halloween. It Is not a simplistic tale of horror. It is very, very good Gothic tale. It is sensational, but it keeps you thinking.

Olivia Poulet narrates the audiobook. She reads very quickly. Not always, but often. She also acts the parts rather than simply reading the story. It is, however, not hard to distinguish the words. I have given the narration two stars; I would have preferred a slower tempo.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this...great fun. 4.5-stars, rounded down.

As I read Lady Audley's Secret, I kept thinking of Poe, Conan Doyle and Anne Bronte. A nice combination, if I must say so myself. Braddon has created an interesting story line and a creepy environment in which to plunk down her motley set of characters. I loved the conflicting ideas that are present within Lady Audley herself and especially enjoyed the myriad ways she is viewed by the other characters in the story. Her secret did surprise me, and I confess I thought it would not.

Braddon does a wonderful job of creating atmosphere and her descriptive passages are delightful and vivid. She plants red herrings and takes the mind into many dead-end suppositions. She made me laugh a little, but at the same time cringe. In the end, I loved both her story and the way it was delivered. While many things progressed in the novel exactly as I assumed they would, there were a few moments of complete surprise and that is always nice in this genre. I will not hesitate to read more of Braddon's work when I can fit it into my schedule.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sadly forgotten but great 19th century sensation novel that rivals some of Wilkie Collins' best books such as The Woman in White and the Moonstone. Its also one of the first to feature a female villain which wasn't typical of early literature. Nevertheless, this dynamic creates an interesting character study which discusses female motives and what they are capable of despite their beauty and grace. This is a great book and it definitely needs to move closer to the top on your to-read list.

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Top Ten Secrets of Lady Audley

10. is a dude
9. is husband's mom
8. killed somebody
7. used to be hooker
6. is screwing the gardener
5. escaped from mental hospital
4. baby is not husband's baby
3. is slowly poisoning husband
2. is dead; husband just having creepy imaginary conversations with ghost
1. Sortof likes Coldplay

The mid 1800s saw the rise of the sensation novel, which brought the spooky atmosphere of the Gothic into normal peoples' homes. Now the spouse (or other family member) was the danger. Anthony Trollope suggested that they should be "at the same time realistic and sensational...and both in the highest degree." The most famous example is The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins; the other two pioneers are East Lynne by Ellen Wood and this book right here. The genre was immediately successful, and remains so today: if you liked Gone Girl, here is its grandmother.

And sensational it is, chock full of intrigue and reversals and madness. (Victorian madness, with its gleeful disregard for the DSM.) Foreshadowing oozes out its sides like an overstuffed sandwich. Braddon addresses us directly, chatty, sarcastic, sometimes catty, often with what feels a little like misogyny. We're repeatedly reminded of "the horrible things that have been done by women since that day upon which eve was created," and the "feminine prevarication - [the] womanly trickery" ladies are capable of. Hints of sympathy emerge: Lady Audley, she of the secret, knows what "Every school-girl learns sooner or later - I learned that my ultimate fate in life depended upon my marriage." She has no way to better her situation except by marriage, and so she's forced to pursue it by any means necessary. But Braddon is no feminist.

The characters are terrific. Phlegmatic Robert Audley drifts his way through the mystery, sighing about all the effort. He will learn seriousness, but not without trial: he'll be forced to smoke innumerable shitty cigars. Bratty Alice Audley (not Lady - her stepdaughter) - "Such a nice girl, too, if she didn't bounce!" - runs away with every scene she's in. Lady Audley herself is a mighty femme fatale. Braddon has a knack for great characters: there are memorable ones in her early detective novel Blood of the Serpent too. She shows an affinity for detective stories in both books.

Braddon was very popular in her time, but she's faded now. You wonder why, right? This is a fun book, engaging and well-designed. It lacks something - an authority, a certainty, maybe? And it's not like there's a ton of doubt about how the mystery's going to be resolved. I can't make a super forceful case for re-elevating her. She's good, not great, for me. But I had a good time reading this book.

[Lesle · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Whatever secrets you may have will be secrets forever"

The story starts by describing the Audley manor's garden lush and beautiful. Lady Audley is Lucy who marries an older man, Sir Michael upon his request. Lucy hides and defends her secrets with charm and brutality, she is far from a victim, but unknown to her, another secret exist.

Robert does his best to find clues to what are Lucy's secrets. His sleuthing is to his advantage of what really took place. Fearing her secret is about to be found out, Lucy burns down an Inn with the hope of another outcome. In the end the true secret is revealed. A real diagnosis is found and your left on the edge.

Such riveting tale that was actually based on a true incident. The book was hard to put down as there are few dull moments. Braddon's characters are very realistic for the period and has crafted the story well, with what a good read should have: romance, murder, suspense, and wow what a surprising end...oh wait...was it surprising? or forseen?

(see comment below)

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like with Agnes Grey, this is one I'd recommend for those looking to get into classics. An approachable sensationalist Victorian novel, this book does raise some interesting questions about the lengths to which we will go to escape poverty. It has intriguing characters and will provide good set up for other classics with a mystery angle (I have Wilkie Collins in mind here). But, as someone with some experience reading Victorian literature, this one failed to intrigue as much as I had hoped.

[BAM IS BACK! · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”-Sir Walter Scott

“She’s crafty, and she’s just my type.”-Beastie Boys

[Sergio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo romanzo racconta le vicende di due amici che si sono persi di vista dopo l’adolescenza e tornano a incontrarsi adulti: Robert Audley è un giovane avvocato, poco attratto dalla professione, mentre George Talboys, è stato toccato duramente dalla sorte perché, appena tornato in patria dopo una lunga assenza in Australia dove si é arricchito con l’oro, scopre dai giornali che la giovane e avvenente moglie rimasta in Inghilterra è morta solo pochi giorni prima del suo arrivo. Michael cerca di risollevare in qualche modo l’amico affranto dalla insuperabile perdita, convincendolo ad andare insieme a trascorrere alcuni giorni presso il maturo zio Michael Audley che da poco tempo ha sposato una giovane e bellissima donna…ma poco tempo dopo l’arrivo dei due giovani nella tenuta di sir Michael, improvvisamente George Talboys risulta inspiegabilmente introvabile, letteralmente volatilizzato. A questo punto toccherà a Robert Audley farsi punto d’onore di ritrovare l’amico scomparso o di trovare le prove del suo misterioso allontanamento.
Romanzo di piacevole e spedita lettura, mostra i suoi limiti in un’eccessiva lunghezza e lentezza del racconto associate a una prosa leggera, priva di introspezione psicologica dei protagonisti che mi impedisce di collocarlo qualitativamente alla pari con i lavori contemporanei di Elizabeth Gaskell e George Eliot che hanno saputo scrivere pagine di autentica letteratura.

[Katie Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slight mix for me. Definitely an interesting novel, gripping, engaging with some wonderful characters and interesting insights into Victorian society - a 5-star until the last quarter, but I'm not sure how I felt about the ending. Nonetheless, definitely one that I need to think about more and that I'd love to study!

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This premise sounded way to intriguing to pass up and I decided to give it ago and it was a very interesting read coming from a classic. I don't think I have read any story quite like it and I'm definitely interested in reading something more by Mary Elizabeth Braddon in the future but not sure if she wrote any more. But that's is easy to look up

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Lady Audley's Secret is a pretty entertaining sensation novel. The story is centred around Lady Audley who, surprise surprise, has a secret. Like most other sensation novels, Lady Audley's Secret combines melodrama with an investigation of sorts. Robert Audley, the nephew of Sir Michael, is suspicious of his uncle's new wife, the beautiful and young Lady Audley who, by all accounts, seems to be the embodiment of femininity. After the sudden disappearance of his best friend, Robert begins to suspect that Lady Audley's 'delicate flower' front is an act. Throughout the course of the novel he attempts to find evidence to reveal Lady Audley's true nature and identity.
There were many amusing passages and the character themselves often struck me as parodies of sorts. Sadly, after Robert realises who Lady Audley is my interest waned. What follows is a series of anticlimactic confrontations. Moreover, Lady Audley was not the 'villainess' I was hoping for. While the way in which she uses her femininity to manipulate others is certainly subversive, ultimately she seems to give up quite easily. Robert's 'hunt' for the truth was far more satisfying that the actual confrontation.
Also, I think that the story would have benefited from some more 'vitality' (through humour for example). Maybe readers who haven't read novels by Wilkie Collins will be able to find Lady Audley's Secret to be more absorbing than I did.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to believe this book was written in 1862 as it felt quite modern. When this book came out, it was considered a "sensation" novel. Sensation novels were novels of crime and mystery- novels with an underlying secret. Though this book is titled " Lady Audley's Secret", she is not the only one with a secret.
We meet Lucy Graham, young and beautiful and child-like, who marries Sir Michael Audley, a much older man of good fortune. Sir Michael's nephew, Robert, comes for a visit with his dear friend George Tallboys, who subsequently disappears. Where is George? What is Lady Audley hiding?
This novel is intricately plotted; it kept me interested throughout and the author sprang a most surprising twist as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a solid classic mystery.

[Carolien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like reading a Georgette Heyer Regency mystery as written by Jane Austen from a male perspective.

[Duane Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining Victorian Era novel that is similar to The Woman in White. They both were part of the short lived "Sensation" genre of novels from mid 19th century England, although Lady Audley's Secret doesn't quite measure up to The Woman in White. The beautiful but devious Lady Audley was far and away the most interesting character in the novel. Her nemesis, Robert Audley, nephew to her husband, was so condescending and snobish, that I found myself pulling for the narcissistic, murderous, bigamist, Lady Audley.

[Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Victober 2017.

Before this month I had never heard of Ms Braddon or her book. Before this year I had never heard the term "sensation novel". What a treat it was to discover! This book didn't really surprise me with the plot twists but it didn't matter because the writing style was very entertaining. The characters were well-developed and intriguing and it was a book that I enjoyed from the first page until the last.

[Natalie Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this historical novel. The secret is discovered early on by the reader, but the suspense is built while you wait for everyone else to find out. Very cleverly done.

[Britta Böhler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but also a little boring at times.

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET's title would suggest that the book holds in its pages something that would deeply scandalize the reader. I suppose, the fact that it didn't surprise me, when the ominous secret was finally revealed, says something about what our society has grown accustomed to, as well as the fact that I read too many crime novels;-)
That being said, I did rather enjoy reading this book. The story flowed well, and the style of Braddon's writing is very accessible. I read this for a lit course, and thus think of it, for the moment at least, in terms of motifs and symbols and feminism and the gothic, but it is actually quite entertaining, too.
Despite this, Braddon is far from as famous as her Victorian contemporaries, the Bronte sisters and George Eliot. This is the only book by her that I am familiar with, so I cannot judge what qualities her work may have lacked, which the others possessed. Maybe it was because LADY AUDLEY'S SECRET was considered a sensational novel, and thus not deemed as literary and worthwhile as the other ladies work? Then again, the previously mentioned writers also had one book which was far more famous than their others, so maybe, at the time, Braddon held her own with them... Just thinking. I suppose I'll be reading up on her Wikipedia page;-) Anyway...
I have to admit, I do prefer the Brontes, but I think Braddon's novel is far more than a scandalous little volume. It brings up the limited rights of women at the time, and, in a way, gives the reader a dubious answer to what may happen when women are 'forced' to take care of their own best interests. It also highlights facets of Victorian life and traditions, fascinating not simply on a scholarly level.
I would recommend reading this, especially if you enjoy other Victorian literature.

Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com

[Bookish Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOLD on what they called during the day “sensation novels”. What a remarkably well crafted story! The characters are so well conceived! Not only am I now interested in other books written during this (Victorian) time period but especially THIS author, what a fan I’ve become!

I could liken the unfolding of the “secret” to be a bit like a buffet - we are given so much, in fact, in terms of clues and hints, that I began to feel concerned that perhaps they were spilling all the beans and I, being very alert, was putting 2 and 2 together in a way that would spoil the fun of the story. Clearly I overestimated my own intellect and the author’s prowess. We solve one mystery and there’s another, and another, and another.

Highly recommend 4.5 stars for a book that definitely created an admirer of me!