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Lady Audley's Secret

Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Why we're reading this: Great gothic to rival Wilkie collins
[close] Great gothic to rival Wilkie collins

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Aug 16, 2011 Emma rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this book. As well as being the first sensation novel to really critique the Angel-of-the-House theory, it puts a spin on the Victorian patriarchal view of the 'perfect' woman. Lucy, although having beautiful blonde ringlets and blue eyes, is in fact, a morally unstable woman; a statement usually put upon the 'Other' in Victorian society. Although, arguably, from a feminist perspective, her actions are not wholly 'evil' but instead rebellious, this is possibly the first novel ...more

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Dec 03, 2013 Erin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, mystery, classic, kindle, just-beautiful

This book was wonderful -- a new favorite of mine. It had mystery, intrigue, lovely descriptions, superb plotting, and a bit of humor. Some of the dialogue is stilted (including closely-related characters addressing each other by first and last name over and over -- very strange). And there are a lot of cultural, classical, literary, and artistic references and some French and Latin terms. I read the basic, free Kindle version, but if I re-read it, I'd look for an annotated version.

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Dec 11, 2013 Nicole rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, mystery, purchased

Loved it, devoured it. Found it very gripping and atmospheric with lots of clever and amusing interludes and observations. Will read more of Braddon for sure.

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Sep 23, 2011 Michelle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

So, it was more like 3.5 stars. There were moments where I liked this story, but there were also moments where I just wanted to box the characters ears or punched them in the face out of sheer irritation.

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