Behind a Mask: The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott (Hesperus Classics)

by Louisa May Alcott and Madeleine B Stern

Behind A Mask; or, A Woman's Power (1866) by L. M. Alcott, written under her pseudonym, A. M. Barnard, is the story of a woman, struggling to survive in a world dominated by men. Jean Muir, the central character of the story, performs various roles, as a governess, an actress, and an engaged woman, and is ready to lose some, or even all her integrity and identity, in order to achieve her goals. A tale of romance and betrayal, it also brings out the women's issues in the patriarchal and deceptive society.

• ISBN10: 0688151329
• ISBN13: 9780688151324
• Publish Date: 14 February 1997 (first published 5 April 1976)
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Publish Country: AU
• Imprint: William Morrow & Company
• Edition: Quill ed
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 281
• Language: English

Reviews

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Behind a Mask is an excellent way to become acquainted with Alcott's racier side. With a hidden identity used for publication (A.M. Barnard) it all fits together nicely in this unique thriller.

Jean Muir is hired to be the Governess to the Coventry house but upon her arrival realize that something is amiss and that Miss Muir is nothing like Nanny Fine. She is very syrupy but yet seduces everyone in the family with her charm. With calculated moves, "introducing" herself as a sweet innocent girl down on her luck, quickly wins the hearts of the gentlemen of the house making all the right connections and begins to weave her web. Can we say welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly?

From the beginning I knew that there was something fishy going on, and was pretty sure I knew the motive; my suspicions were confirmed in the shape of a letter. There really is something to be said about disclosing a plot in the form of a letter, I think it adds to the dramatic flare, especially here with the ending drawing so near. While Behind a Mask was a pageturner all in its self, I couldn't press my Kindle's "Next Page" button fast enough when reaching the conclusion.