The Complete Works (eBook)

Gathered in 'The Complete Works' are the manifold narratives crafted by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, with a broad assemblage that includes not only her gripping novels but also a collection of short stories and a children's book. This collection is a testament to Braddon's place in the literary canon, amongst the vanguard of Victorian sensation fiction—a genre characterized by its focus on scandal, crime, and intrigue. Braddon's literary style is vivid, deploying a mosaic of mystery and domestic drama, which deftly mirrors and critiques the social anxieties of her time. The work spans from her most renowned narratives like 'Lady Audley's Secret,' with its mesmerizing exploration of Victorian femininity and madness, to the lesser-known but equally compelling works such as 'The Christmas Hirelings,' catering to younger readers with its charming tale of holiday spirit and redemption.

Mary Elizabeth Braddon, a prolific novelist of the Victorian era, was a key figure in the development of sensation fiction, a precursor to modern-day suspense and mystery genres. Writing in an era when female authors were often sidelined, she broke barriers with her strong female protagonists and intricate plots revolving around issues of identity, inheritance, and deception. The diversity of her work demonstrates Braddon's keen observation of the complexities of her society and an understanding of human psychology which might have stemmed from her own experiences navigating the literary world as a woman and as a writer who challenged the norms of her time.

For readers looking to immerse themselves in the pulse of Victorian narrative craft, Braddon's collection is indispensable. It leans into the melodramatic at times to savor the poignant dilemmas and moral conundrums of the period. This omnibus would suit scholars of 19th-century literature and enthusiasts of Gothic fiction and crime novels. Her writing, which echoes the works of Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens, provides a rich exploration of the era's literature. Readers are invited to delve into the shadowy corners of Victorian society, wrapped in the lush prose, intricate plotting, and keen social commentary that only Braddon can offer.