Lady Audley's Secret (eBook)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835–1915), commonly known as M. E. Braddon, was a prolific English novelist in the Victorian era, best remembered for her 1862 sensational novel 'Lady Audley's Secret'. Braddon's literary career began in the backdrop of financial difficulty, prompting her to support her family through acting and later writing. Her first novel 'The Trail of the Serpent' laid the foundation of her writing career, yet it was 'Lady Audley's Secret' that catapulted her to fame, becoming one of the bestsellers of the 19th century. The novel, with its themes of bigamy, murder, and female madness, was at the vanguard of the sensation novel genre, which combined the intrigue of gothic novels with the modern anxieties of urban life and the changing social landscape of Victorian England. Braddon's knack for creating fast-paced, plot-driven narratives with a strong element of suspense and mystery appealed to a wide readership. Over her lifetime, Braddon wrote more than 80 novels, as well as numerous short stories, plays, and articles. Her works often challenged the traditional domestic roles of women, analysing the limited opportunities afforded to them and occasionally portraying her female characters in positions of power. While 'Lady Audley's Secret' remains her most recognised work, Braddon's contribution to the literary world extends far beyond a single book, influencing the development of the detective and crime fiction genres. Her influence was recognized by her contemporaries and continues to be an area of academic interest today.