Lady Audley's Secret

Name: Lady Audley's Secret
Author: Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Lady Audley's Secret is a gripping tale of secrets and deception, where a young woman marries a wealthy baronet, only to have her hidden past threaten their lives as a mysterious disappearance casts a shadow over their seemingly perfect existence. The story explores themes of identity and the complexities of familial relationships amidst the tension of concealed truths.

By Mary Elizabeth Braddon · First published 1862 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Victorian Literature, Mystery · 41 chapters · 178,262 words

First lines

It lay down in a hollow, rich with fine old timber and luxuriant pastures; and you came upon it through an avenue of limes, bordered on either side by meadows, over the high hedges of which the cattle looked inquisitively at you as you passed, wondering, perhaps, what you wanted; for there was no thoroughfare, and unless you were going to the Court you had no business there at all.

At the end of this avenue there was an old arch and a clock tower, with a stupid, bewildering clock, which had only one hand -- and which jumped straight from one hour to the next -- and was therefore always in extremes. Through this arch you walked straight into the gardens of Audley Court.

What this Textopian page supports

Lady Audley's Secret is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, dated 1862 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Date: 1862 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Victorian Literature, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Romantic Fiction
Length: 178,262 words
Structure: 41 chapters, 3,208 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Mary Elizabeth Braddon fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Gothic Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Gothic Fiction — The novel features dark themes, mystery, and elements of the supernatural, characteristic of Gothic literature.
Victorian Literature — Set in the Victorian era, it explores social issues, gender roles, and class distinctions prevalent during that time.
Mystery — The plot revolves around a central mystery concerning Lady Audley's past and the secrets she harbors.
Psychological Thriller — The novel delves into the psychological motivations and complexities of its characters, particularly Lady Audley.