Lady Audley's Secret
Reviews
My first venture into English classic literature was certainly an endeavor filled with challenges. The initial chapters of Lady Audley’s Secret were tough, and there were moments when I nearly gave up—spending two weeks on a book that usually takes me half the time to finish felt frustrating. Yet, looking back, I’m glad I stuck with it. As I made it through the slow start, the narrative eventually picked up around the 60% mark, propelling me into an unexpected whirlwind of twists and revelations.
The mystery surrounding Lady Audley unraveled with such intensity, sparking a mix of emotions ranging from deep despair to frustration. Robert Audley’s journey, one of grief and destruction, led me to reflect on how unpredictable life can be, especially when faced with hidden truths. Through Lady Audley’s Secret, I realized how literature can unlock parts of ourselves we hadn’t yet understood. This book has made me more committed to broadening my reading horizons, not just for pleasure but for personal growth and self-discovery. It’s been an eye-opening experience.
Listen, when I found out I had to read this book for class, I didn't think I would genuienly enjoy it. Sure, it had some slow sections, and the descriptions were long-winded, out-dated and sometimes out right offensive, but then again, it's a Victorian book.
Then again, considering it's about a mystery that needs to be solved, it's not surprising that it was right up my alley. I did have my suspicions from the beginning and was hooked trying to find out if they were right or not. The ending wrapped up everything so nicely, that even the slightest comments were picked up on.
All in all, an amazing book. Not quite in my favourites, but it absolutely exeeded my expectations!
A bit of a mystery, a bit of a thriller with a Victorian flavor. I think the first half is stronger than the second half. I couldn't stop reading till the big climax. Unfortunately, there were about 8 more chapters after that, and my interest dropped. I was listening to an audio version concurrently, and, especially toward the end, it would have additional paragraphs of text that this version didn't have. I don't know if this text was edited at some point, but it kinda seemed like it. But nothing important was omitted, as far as I could tell. Just some wordier passages. (view spoiler)[Lady Audley could have been an amazing villain, but (IMHO) the author lost her nerve toward the end and had to give her an "out" so she could have a (relatively) happy ending. (hide spoiler)]
*3.5
I couldn’t put this book down! Just when you think you have it all figured out, the author throws another twist your way. The beautiful Lady Audley, who is the center of her husband’s world, has a secret life. It isn’t until the nephew’s friend disappears, then her secrets are unraveled all the way to the end of the book. There’s deception, Murder, betrayal, bribery, and a host of other “sins.” A must read!
This book was great! If you liked Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier you would probably like this too!
Highlights
I was also a witness to the blow which struck him to the very heart—which changed him from the man he had been to a creature as unlike that former self as one human being can be unlike another.
He knew he was about to shatter the daydream of his uncle’s life; and he knew that our dreams are none the less terrible to lose, because they have never been the realities for which we have mistaken them.
The Eastern potentate who declared that women were at the bottom of all mischief should have gone a little further and seen ywhy it is so. It is because women are never lazy. They don't know what it is to be quiet. [...] to call them the weaker sex is to utter a hideous mockery. They are the stronger sex, the noisier, the more persevering, the most self-assertive sex. They want freedom of opinion, variety of occupation, do they? Let them have it. let them be lawyers, doctors, preachers, teachers, soldiers, legislators - anything they like - but let them be quiet - if they can.
"God knows I was prepared for the worst, and the worst has come. I can understand all now. My next visit must be to Southampton. I must place the boy in better hands."
His first thought being of his bestie's child is absolutely adorable <3
"Justice for the dead first," he said. "mercy to the living afterwards."
His pretty g...y-faced cousin migh've been head over ears in love with him ...
i can't deal with this any longer
"Fishing is much better than shooting; you've only to lie on a bank and stare at your line; I don't find that you often catch anything, but it's very pleasant."
This book appears on the shelf own-voices
This book appears on the shelf 5 star fiction
This book appears on the shelf ya-contemporary
