East Lynne

Name: East Lynne
Author: Mrs. Henry Wood

By Mrs. Henry Wood

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British Literature Novels

About This Book

A Victorian domestic melodrama follows a woman who abandons a comfortable marriage for passion, endures scandal and exile, loses custody of her children, and later returns incognito as a governess to watch over them; events of deception, mistaken identity, and remorse lead toward suffering and eventual moral reckoning. The narrative alternates intimate family scenes with courtroom and social encounters, examining themes of social reputation, maternal love, guilt, forgiveness, and the era's moral strictures while unspooling suspense through reversals and emotional revelations.

About the Author

Mrs. Henry Wood

Mrs. Henry Wood, born Ellen Wood, was a prominent English novelist of the 19th century, best known for her sensational and romantic fiction. Her most famous work, "East Lynne," published in 1861, became a bestseller and is often credited with shaping the genre of domestic fiction. Wood's novels frequently explore themes of morality, social issues, and the complexities of human relationships, reflecting the Victorian era's values and concerns. Over her prolific career, she authored numerous novels, including "A Life's Secret" and "Johnny Ludlow," which further established her reputation as a significant figure in Victorian literature.