The Sealed Letter by Professor Emma Donoghue

The Sealed Letter

by Professor Emma Donoghue

Miss Emily Fido Faithfull is a woman of business and a spinster pioneer in the British women's movement, independent of mind but naively trusting of heart. Distracted from her cause by the sudden return of a once-dear friend, the unhappily wed Helen Codrington, Fido is swept up in the intimate details of Helen's failing marriage and obsessive affair with a young army officer. What begins as a loyal effort to help a friend explodes into an intriguing courtroom drama complete with accusations of adultery, counterclaims of rape, and a mysterious letter that could destroy more than one life.

Based on a scandalous divorce case that gripped England in 1864, The Sealed Letter is a riveting, provocative drama of friends, lovers, and divorce, Victorian-style.

Reviewed by clementine on

5 of 5 stars

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A delightfully-written, juicy novel about a scandalous 1860s divorce case. Every character is equal parts sympathetic and just plain pathetic; there is no one party at fault here. Donoghue beautifully explores the juxtaposition between famously repressive Victorian society and the passionate, messy sides of love, marriage, and friendship.

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  • Started reading
  • 18 July, 2019: Finished reading
  • 18 July, 2019: Reviewed