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Lovers All Untrue
To the outside world the Drapers seemed to be a perfectly normal small-town family. But they were not. Not at all. Especially one of them! LOVERS ALL UNTRUE - a macabre tale of vengeance ... of love, hate, and silent terror. Once again Norah Lofts proves herself a mistress of suspense as she weave the chilling story to its suspenseful climax.
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First published January 1, 1970
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About the author
Norah Lofts
106 books310 followersNorah Ethel Robinson Lofts Jorisch (27 August 1904–10 September 1983) was a 20th century best-selling British author. She wrote over fifty books specialising in historical fiction, but she also wrote non-fiction and short stories. Many of her novels, including her Suffolk Trilogy, follow the history of a specific house and the residents that lived in it.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
Lofts was born in Shipdham, Norfolk in England. She also published using the pseudonyms Juliet Astley and Peter Curtis. Norah Lofts chose to release her murder-mystery novels under the pen name Peter Curtis because she did not want the readers of her historic fiction to pick up a murder-mystery novel and expect classic Norah Lofts historical fiction. However, the murders still show characteristic Norah Lofts elements. Most of her historical novels fall into two general categories: biographical novels about queens, among them Anne Boleyn, Isabella of Castile, and Catherine of Aragon; and novels set in East Anglia centered around the fictitious town of Baildon (patterned largely on Bury St. Edmunds). Her creation of this fictitious area of England is reminiscent of Thomas Hardy's creation of "Wessex"; and her use of recurring characters such that the protagonist of one novel appears as a secondary character in others is even more reminiscent of William Faulkner's work set in "Yoknapatawpha County," Mississippi. Norah Lofts' work set in East Anglia in the 1930s and 1940s shows great concern with the very poor in society and their inability to change their conditions. Her approach suggests an interest in the social reformism that became a feature of British post-war society.
Several of her novels were turned into films. Jassy was filmed as Jassy (1947) starring Margaret Lockwood and Dennis Price. You're Best Alone was filmed as Guilt is My Shadow (1950). The Devil's Own (also known as The Little Wax Doll and Catch As Catch Can) was filmed as The Witches (1966). The film 7 Women was directed by John Ford and based on the story Chinese Finale by Norah Lofts.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 18, 2024
The title owes much to Dryden it seems:
"Thy wars brought nothing about,
Thy lovers were all untrue".
This book has been on the bookshelf for much of my life. I was deterred by the title and the cover into thinking it would be a soppy period piece of a love story. Wrong, yet again!
Yes, it’s set in Victorian England, in a provincial Norfolk town but that’s as far as my illusion goes. Central to the story is the Draper family, headed by a thoroughly unpleasant piece of work. He is brilliantly drawn by the author. What an asset this character is to the feminist cause. Excellent story line, a real page turner.
I can't stop thinking of slow, very painful modes of suffering to be inflicted on the odious Mr D, a true bastion/bastard of Victorian society.
"Thy wars brought nothing about,
Thy lovers were all untrue".
This book has been on the bookshelf for much of my life. I was deterred by the title and the cover into thinking it would be a soppy period piece of a love story. Wrong, yet again!
Yes, it’s set in Victorian England, in a provincial Norfolk town but that’s as far as my illusion goes. Central to the story is the Draper family, headed by a thoroughly unpleasant piece of work. He is brilliantly drawn by the author. What an asset this character is to the feminist cause. Excellent story line, a real page turner.
I can't stop thinking of slow, very painful modes of suffering to be inflicted on the odious Mr D, a true bastion/bastard of Victorian society.
July 30, 2008
A very creepy story about a Victorian family with a nasty, domineering father. I love the way the author combines everyday domestic images with the horror developing in the background.
April 8, 2012
Norah Lofts had a long career as a historical novelist, during which she diversified with novels of mystery/suspense/occult under the pseudonym Peter Curtis such as THE DEVIL'S OWN (1960) which was published in 1960 and was nominated for an Edgar Award - it was filmed by Hammer Films in 1966 as THE WITCHES starring Joan Fontaine (in her last theatrical film) and was republished under Lofts' name as THE LITTLE WAX DOLL in 1970, the same year that LOVERS ALL UNTRUE was published.
Although I've encountered Lofts' books many times over the years, and even, I think, perhaps read one or two back in the 1970s, only recently did I discover that LOVERS ALL UNTRUE was inspired by the notorious "Not Proven" case of Madeleine Smith - I recently re-watched David Lean's 1950 film about the case, MADELEINE, which is considered 'minor' Lean but is actually quite underrated, and this reawakened my interest in the Smith case - of course I couldn't find a copy anywhere (Lofts died in 1983, few of her books are left in print in the US and have pretty much disappeared from the shelves of used bookstores as well) but found that it's still in my public library's system (I must drive the librarians at other branches crazy with my on-line requests for books to be sent to my local branch, making them head off into the stacks for vintage books and authors that they've probably never heard of!).
4/07: Lofts follows the basic Madeleine Smith story up to a point, and then diverges from history to provide her own (and very different) fate for her Smith character, herein called "Marion Draper." The setting of the story is England rather than Scotland, and the time period, though never specified, is almost certainly late-Victorian (water-closets did not appear in England until after 1870 and are mentioned several times), and the novel provides some interesting glimpses into the social customs and mores of the time.
Although I've encountered Lofts' books many times over the years, and even, I think, perhaps read one or two back in the 1970s, only recently did I discover that LOVERS ALL UNTRUE was inspired by the notorious "Not Proven" case of Madeleine Smith - I recently re-watched David Lean's 1950 film about the case, MADELEINE, which is considered 'minor' Lean but is actually quite underrated, and this reawakened my interest in the Smith case - of course I couldn't find a copy anywhere (Lofts died in 1983, few of her books are left in print in the US and have pretty much disappeared from the shelves of used bookstores as well) but found that it's still in my public library's system (I must drive the librarians at other branches crazy with my on-line requests for books to be sent to my local branch, making them head off into the stacks for vintage books and authors that they've probably never heard of!).
4/07: Lofts follows the basic Madeleine Smith story up to a point, and then diverges from history to provide her own (and very different) fate for her Smith character, herein called "Marion Draper." The setting of the story is England rather than Scotland, and the time period, though never specified, is almost certainly late-Victorian (water-closets did not appear in England until after 1870 and are mentioned several times), and the novel provides some interesting glimpses into the social customs and mores of the time.
September 3, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 actually. One thing I find particularly interesting is that there is no real hint of storyline on the back cover or teaser page of this book. And a cursory look through other reviews show no one has discussed the outcome or ending.
As I mentioned in the last update, this story has shades of Shirley Jackson hidden within it, be it intentional or not. Also, I believe I now understand the difference between mystery and suspense.
As I mentioned in the last update, this story has shades of Shirley Jackson hidden within it, be it intentional or not. Also, I believe I now understand the difference between mystery and suspense.
June 16, 2017
I've read this many, many times. Enjoyable and disturbing at the same time. Def a fave.
February 14, 2017
A carefully detailed portrait of Victorian England serves as the background for this ultimately tragic story of two young women taking their first eager and awkward steps towards adulthood. For the Draper sisters; headstrong Marion and her more docile-natured sister Ellen, living under their father's thumb has reached nearly intolerable levels. Their father is a strict disciplinarian, a controlling, domineering man who seeks only to stifle his daughters youthful exuberance and incipient passions.
From the inevitable conflict that is created by such strong personalities living under the same roof, arises feelings of frustration and bitterness. The struggles of a young woman who is trying to escape an impossible situation by finding love, quickly deteriorate to the point of no return. What should be easy and natural in the life of a young, passionate girl, however, is not, and her circumstances go from bad to worse.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found myself completely swept away by this story. In my opinion, this is typical Norah Lofts fare - a superbly-crafted plot and intriguing story; filled with well-developed and believable characters, and realistically suspenseful gothic atmosphere. I give this book an A+!
From the inevitable conflict that is created by such strong personalities living under the same roof, arises feelings of frustration and bitterness. The struggles of a young woman who is trying to escape an impossible situation by finding love, quickly deteriorate to the point of no return. What should be easy and natural in the life of a young, passionate girl, however, is not, and her circumstances go from bad to worse.
I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found myself completely swept away by this story. In my opinion, this is typical Norah Lofts fare - a superbly-crafted plot and intriguing story; filled with well-developed and believable characters, and realistically suspenseful gothic atmosphere. I give this book an A+!
August 5, 2020
This was a five star book for me. Norah Lofts writing always keeps me coming back for more.
This is the story of the dysfunctional Draper family. It takes place in England around the turn of the century.
Mr. Draper has control issues like no other. He believes that his two daughters (and his wife) only exist to keep him company. He doesn't allow the two girls to go out of the house unchaperoned, but as all teenagers do, they break the rules.
Marion, the eldest, falls in love with a boy who works as an assistant shopkeeper. Not only has he had a dalliance with one of her close friends, he gets the girl into trouble and her family sends her away. Marion, I think, finds this fascinating, and begins a tryst with him anyway.
Norah Lofts deserves credit for her twists and turns and refreshingly original storylines. This is not your typical star-crossed lovers book. No way! The story never goes stale, and there is something happening every minute. It is dark with a touch of gothic, so if you like that sort of thing, you will enjoy this read!!
This is the story of the dysfunctional Draper family. It takes place in England around the turn of the century.
Mr. Draper has control issues like no other. He believes that his two daughters (and his wife) only exist to keep him company. He doesn't allow the two girls to go out of the house unchaperoned, but as all teenagers do, they break the rules.
Marion, the eldest, falls in love with a boy who works as an assistant shopkeeper. Not only has he had a dalliance with one of her close friends, he gets the girl into trouble and her family sends her away. Marion, I think, finds this fascinating, and begins a tryst with him anyway.
Norah Lofts deserves credit for her twists and turns and refreshingly original storylines. This is not your typical star-crossed lovers book. No way! The story never goes stale, and there is something happening every minute. It is dark with a touch of gothic, so if you like that sort of thing, you will enjoy this read!!
September 2, 2013
Have much preferred other Norah Lofts books. Didn't get very involved in this and prefer her books on earlier periods
March 19, 2018
Based in part on the trial of Madeleine Smith, Lovers All Untrue is a moody page-turner, with a rather abrupt ending that is (pick one) unsettling, ambiguous, surprising. A quick read.
July 31, 2019
I have read many of Norah Lofts books and this was not one of my favorites. The characters seemed superficial and stereotypical, the controlling, domineering father, the weak and ineffectual
mother, the smart ambitious sister and the quiet, timid sister.
Marian and Ellen are under the tyranny of their dictatorial father. He tells them when they
can go out, where they are allowed to shop, and even forbids them from joining a musical
society at the church.
His controlling ways finally push Marian into a foolish love affair which ends disastrously.
When there seems to be an improvement to her situation, she tries to remedy the past
mistakes with tragic results.
All in all a rather disturbing and disappointing story.
mother, the smart ambitious sister and the quiet, timid sister.
Marian and Ellen are under the tyranny of their dictatorial father. He tells them when they
can go out, where they are allowed to shop, and even forbids them from joining a musical
society at the church.
His controlling ways finally push Marian into a foolish love affair which ends disastrously.
When there seems to be an improvement to her situation, she tries to remedy the past
mistakes with tragic results.
All in all a rather disturbing and disappointing story.
April 2, 2021
Lovers All Untrue is a sordid tale of the appalling control men held over women in Victorian England. Mr. Draper, a prosperous merchant, is a horrid, despicable man who selfishly intends to keep both his daughters at home forever to serve his needs in his old age, but he wasn't prepared for his eldest daughter's strong will. While his wife and younger daughter, Ellen, both bow to his will, Marion—who realizes early on she cannot live under her father's oppressive rule—is equally determined to outsmart her father but is soon caught up in a web of tangled lies that turns deadly. I found the story slow at first, but halfway through, I couldn't wait to find out how their fates unfolded, only to be disappointed by an abrupt and disturbing end.
Read
April 1, 2020Unsatisfactory ending.
June 12, 2025
It pains me to give a book by one of my favorite authors less than four stars, but Norah Lofts' habit of pulling the rug out from her long-suffering characters is just too much in this heartbreaking work to warrant a higher rating.
As always, it is skillfully written; I flew through it in two days. At first I thought the story line was based on the famous true case of Elizabeth Barrett whose domineering father forced her elopement with Robert Browning. However, this novel goes FAR beyond that sad real-life situation, into the dark realms of suicide, murder, mind control, and other behaviors not acknowledged by Victorians. In fact, it goes too far. Reading it is much like looking at a hologram, held one way, it is a reflection of respectable, if tedious, life within a very restricted society--but if turned at an angle, an ugly underside of repressed emotions and desperate measures is revealed in an unsuspected and horrifying way!
I couldn't forgive the grotesque ending, hence the tepid three star rating.
As always, it is skillfully written; I flew through it in two days. At first I thought the story line was based on the famous true case of Elizabeth Barrett whose domineering father forced her elopement with Robert Browning. However, this novel goes FAR beyond that sad real-life situation, into the dark realms of suicide, murder, mind control, and other behaviors not acknowledged by Victorians. In fact, it goes too far. Reading it is much like looking at a hologram, held one way, it is a reflection of respectable, if tedious, life within a very restricted society--but if turned at an angle, an ugly underside of repressed emotions and desperate measures is revealed in an unsuspected and horrifying way!
I couldn't forgive the grotesque ending, hence the tepid three star rating.
July 15, 2022
Wow, esta novela me encantó, todos los giros que ha dado desde el inicio son inesperados. Lo que le sucede a la protagonista al final es confuso pero, al mismo tiempo, elocuente.
SPOILERS
Ah, y es que tengo algunas dudas, la primera es si ella suministró arsénico al coñac de Johnny para quitarlo del camino y poder casarse con el señor Horridge, su aparente vehículo a la "libertad", pero, de ser así, ¿cómo es que a su papá no le sucede ni un cólico cuando en la siguiente escena se sirve coñac? La otra inquietud es, ¿cómo es que nadie se dio cuenta de que Marion estaba catatónica? ¿O es que ella estaba fingiendo su estado para poder librarse del yugo paternal? ¿La señorita Rose había comenzado a enamorarse de Marion? Me gustaría que alguien que la hubiera leído me responda a qué conclusiones llegó.
Amantes, todos infieles es una novela impecable. No me esperaba lo que iba a encontrar en este fascinante libro.
SPOILERS
Ah, y es que tengo algunas dudas, la primera es si ella suministró arsénico al coñac de Johnny para quitarlo del camino y poder casarse con el señor Horridge, su aparente vehículo a la "libertad", pero, de ser así, ¿cómo es que a su papá no le sucede ni un cólico cuando en la siguiente escena se sirve coñac? La otra inquietud es, ¿cómo es que nadie se dio cuenta de que Marion estaba catatónica? ¿O es que ella estaba fingiendo su estado para poder librarse del yugo paternal? ¿La señorita Rose había comenzado a enamorarse de Marion? Me gustaría que alguien que la hubiera leído me responda a qué conclusiones llegó.
Amantes, todos infieles es una novela impecable. No me esperaba lo que iba a encontrar en este fascinante libro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2024
Loved this book about a domineering father.
July 18, 2012
This is one of those British Victorian era books that has a little romance and suspense. I only picked this one up because I needed a quick read, and it was. It was about a domineering father, who you loved to hate, and his daughters. It was a little slow to get going, but picked up towards the middle. I didn't like the ending at all - I thought it was weird. I just barely give this one three stars -- 2.5 would be more like it. Off it goes into my discard pile.
March 2, 2010
When I reached the end, I had to go back and search for other parts, because I'm convinced that I missed something!
August 31, 2010
A tyrannical father stifles his daughters' romances.
May 18, 2011
Got confused a few times and very disappointed with the blunt tragic ending.
Want to read
March 30, 2016Look into giving this as Christmas gift
July 3, 2010
Really good story but a really inconclusive cop out ending.
October 27, 2013
madness after consistent betrayal
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews