Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon is lauded for its gripping narrative and rich character development, particularly the complex protagonist, Lady Audley. Reviewers praise its blend of mystery and Victorian melodrama. However, some critique the novel's pacing and occasional predictability. Overall, it's a compelling read, especially for fans of Gothic fiction.

Readers who enjoy sensation novels, Victorian literature, and intricate plots with themes of deception and social intrigue will appreciate Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Fans of Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre are likely to find this novel engaging and satisfying.

Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon follows Lucy Graham, a governess who marries Sir Michael Audley, moves to Audley Court, and charms everyone except her stepdaughter Alicia. Concurrently, George Talboys returns to England to find his wife Helen dead. His friend Robert Audley brings him to Audley Court, where he mysteriously disappears, leading Robert to investigate and uncover Lady Audley's hidden past.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Emotional / Melancholic

- Lady Audley's Secret was first published as a serial in 1861 in the magazine Robin Goodfellow, catering to the Victorian era's fascination with sensation novels.
- Mary Elizabeth Braddon, the author of Lady Audley's Secret, was one of the most prolific writers of her time and wrote more than 80 novels throughout her career.
- The novel's sensational success cemented Braddon as a leading writer of "sensation fiction," contributing to the genre's popularity in the 19th century.

Mary Elizabeth Braddon

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Lady Audley's Secret Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Volume 1, Chapters 1-5

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1, Chapters 6-10

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 1, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1, Chapters 11-15

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 1, Chapters 11-15 Summary & Analysis

Volume 1, Chapters 16-19

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 1, Chapters 16-19 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2, Chapters 1-5

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 2, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2, Chapters 6-10

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 2, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

Volume 2, Chapters 11-13

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 2, Chapters 11-13 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3, Chapters 1-5

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 3, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Volume 3, Chapters 6-10

Lady Audley's Secret Volume 3, Chapters 6-10 Summary & Analysis

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Lady Audley's Secret Character Analysis

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Lady Audley's Secret Themes

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Lady Audley's Secret Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Lady Audley's Secret Important Quotes

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Lady Audley's Secret

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