Marmaduke Herbert; Or, the Fatal Error

by Marguerite Power Gardiner, Ross Gilbert Arthur (Editor)

The "fatal error" to which the title refers is Marmaduke Herbert's inadvertently occasioning the death of his wife's sister by causing her to fall off a cliff. This accident leads to misery, setting in motion a chain of events that will result in the deaths of nearly everyone Herbert loves, as well as an elaborate blackmail scheme and a trial for murder! A bizarre novel, by turns sensational, psychological, and campy, Marmaduke Herbert; or, The Fatal Error (1847) is one of the best of the prolific Marguerite, Countess of Blessington's novels. This new edition features an introduction by Ross G. Arthur and a chronology of the Countess of Blessington's works. About the Author Marguerite, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849) is described by John Sutherland as "the most fashionable of fashionable novelists." Born into poverty in Ireland, she was forced into marriage with a brutal army officer at age fifteen. After fleeing from this marriage, Marguerite read widely and educated herself, and married the Earl of Blessington in 1818. She became a leading London hostess and consorted with Lord Byron. After her husband's death in 1829, she turned to writing, becoming one of the most important of the "silver fork" novelists.

Genres: Victorian, Classics, Fiction

412 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1847

About the author

Marguerite Gardiner (née Power), Countess of Blessington, 1 September 1789-4 June 1849, was an Irish novelist, journalist, and literary hostess.

Reviews

[Joseph Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valancourt Books has uncovered yet another gem. Unpredictable, psychological, and peppered with black humor, Marmaduke Herbert is a thrilling read containing elements of the Gothic as well. Highly enjoyable and unequivocally recommended!