Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Boston : Mariner Books, 2009, c2008.
Description
Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML: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..… (more)
Media reviews
In 1864, divorce was still rare in Britain (as elsewhere), and the real one that Emma Donoghue forensically reconstructs in her new novel was a national scandal. The wronged vice-admiral Henry Codrington and his sexually predacious wife were already magnets for the prurient. Add in, as a witness to
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the case, the famous feminist Emily Faithfull and veiled hints of lesbianism, and public horror knew no bounds.
Donoghue recreates grim 19th-century London – relieved by whiffs of exotic Malta – with vividness and authority....What could have been mere Victorian melodrama resonates here with emotional truth. Show Less
As with Donoghue's previous novels "Slammerkin" and "Life Mask," the plot is psychologically informed, fast paced and eminently readable (it compresses the timeline of actual events). Yet some narrative elements borrow too much from the 19th century. Exposition often comes packaged in dialogue,
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where it sounds artificial:....Good lines there are in abundance. And in the end, "The Sealed Letter" provides both the titillating entertainment readers like Helen and Fido crave and the more sober exploration of truth, commitment and betrayal Harry might appreciate. Donoghue's sympathy for all three of her central characters emerges through intimate narration and lifts the novel out of the tabloid muck, despite the public shaming Harry, Helen and Fido experience. There is, as Fido puts it, "so much to say, and little of it speakable." Show Less
Briskly written, deftly plotted and nicely ironic, The Sealed Letter falters only in the absolute gratuitousness of some of its period detail.... Some of the slang, too, looks a touch anachronistic. "Deb" is at least 60 years before its time. And would a well-bred woman of the 1860s talk about
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someone "walking out" of their marriage? None of this in the least detracts from the bounce and sparkle of The Sealed Letter's narrative line. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Twink
I first discovered Donoghue back in 2000 when I read one of her best selling novels, Slammerkin. I was struck then by the richness of her characters, so well written that the reader develops strong emotions towards them. Most impressive however is Donoghue's historical research. The fabric, mores,
So is the case with The Sealed Letter. As in previous novels, the story is based upon actual historical facts and persons. We meet 'Fido" Faithfull, a liberal thinking spinster who runs her own printing press espousing her 'Cause'- Women's Rights. She meets up with an old friend Helen Codrington, who detests her older husband Admiral Codrington, and the restrictions society puts upon 'correct' female behaviour. Fido is drawn into Helen's world, but is naive and trusting. She offers true friendship, but due to Helen's machinations, is instead thrust unwillingly into the public eye in Helen's very messy divorce. This divorce case takes place in 1864, but believe it or not features a stained dress (sound familiar?), accusations of rape and a mysterious sealed letter that could decide the case.
Donoghue captures the language, the emotions and the time period eloquently. The Sealed Letter is the third of a loose trilogy exploring Victorian society and life through the eyes of the different classes. Slammerkin explores the poor, Life Mask the very rich and The Sealed Letter the middle class. All are extremely enjoyable reads.
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culture and so much more of Victorian England are brilliantly and accurately portrayed.So is the case with The Sealed Letter. As in previous novels, the story is based upon actual historical facts and persons. We meet 'Fido" Faithfull, a liberal thinking spinster who runs her own printing press espousing her 'Cause'- Women's Rights. She meets up with an old friend Helen Codrington, who detests her older husband Admiral Codrington, and the restrictions society puts upon 'correct' female behaviour. Fido is drawn into Helen's world, but is naive and trusting. She offers true friendship, but due to Helen's machinations, is instead thrust unwillingly into the public eye in Helen's very messy divorce. This divorce case takes place in 1864, but believe it or not features a stained dress (sound familiar?), accusations of rape and a mysterious sealed letter that could decide the case.
Donoghue captures the language, the emotions and the time period eloquently. The Sealed Letter is the third of a loose trilogy exploring Victorian society and life through the eyes of the different classes. Slammerkin explores the poor, Life Mask the very rich and The Sealed Letter the middle class. All are extremely enjoyable reads.
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LibraryThing member Kasthu
The Sealed Letter is another one of those books I just couldn't put down--and then felt bereft when I finally finished it. Set in London in 1864, the novel is loosely based on a scandalous divorce case, and features facts stranger than fiction: a stained dress (sound familiar?), fabricated
Helen Codrington is a wife and mother, born and bred abroad, who craves some excitement in her life. Never thinking of what might happen, she embarks on an affair with Captain David Anderson. Late in the summer of 1864, Helen runs into her old friend Emily "Fido" Faithfull, a crusader for women's rights, who's surprisingly... conventional, all things considered. When Harry Codrington finds out about Helen's affair, however, the lives of these three characters change drastically. The novel's point of view vacillates between Helen, Fido, and Harry.
It's a stunning, well-written book, which explores the way in which lies affect the lives of each of these characters. It's also a fair representation of mid-Victorian mores; although it's tough for us today to understand, divorce was much, much more scandalous and socially crippling in an era that placed a focus on the family and the woman's role in that family. It's strange, too, to a modern reader, the laws that governed divorce in 19th century England (for example, the two primaries were prohibited from testifying). Each of the characters is well-written, and Donoghue gets into the minds of each of the main characters with ease. She never tries to infuse this book with a modern sensibility. It's a compelling book that I couldn't stop thinking about between sittings and after I'd finished.
My only problem with this otherwise superb novel is the fact that the letters are all written in a cursive script that's hard to read. But that's only a technicality.
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evidence, and scandal more scandalous than the sensationalist novels of the period. It's a novel in which supposed friends turn against one another, in which servants even turn against those they serve. Helen Codrington is a wife and mother, born and bred abroad, who craves some excitement in her life. Never thinking of what might happen, she embarks on an affair with Captain David Anderson. Late in the summer of 1864, Helen runs into her old friend Emily "Fido" Faithfull, a crusader for women's rights, who's surprisingly... conventional, all things considered. When Harry Codrington finds out about Helen's affair, however, the lives of these three characters change drastically. The novel's point of view vacillates between Helen, Fido, and Harry.
It's a stunning, well-written book, which explores the way in which lies affect the lives of each of these characters. It's also a fair representation of mid-Victorian mores; although it's tough for us today to understand, divorce was much, much more scandalous and socially crippling in an era that placed a focus on the family and the woman's role in that family. It's strange, too, to a modern reader, the laws that governed divorce in 19th century England (for example, the two primaries were prohibited from testifying). Each of the characters is well-written, and Donoghue gets into the minds of each of the main characters with ease. She never tries to infuse this book with a modern sensibility. It's a compelling book that I couldn't stop thinking about between sittings and after I'd finished.
My only problem with this otherwise superb novel is the fact that the letters are all written in a cursive script that's hard to read. But that's only a technicality.
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LibraryThing member mrstreme
Based on the real-life divorce scandal that rocked Victorian England, The Sealed Letter is an action-packed look into the plight of women's rights and the scandals of terminating a marriage. If you ever wondered how difficult it was to obtain a divorce during the Victorian era, The Sealed Letter
The story opens with a chance meeting between two old friends - Emily "Fido" Faithfull, a women's rights activist, and Helen Codrington, a naval wife. As the two become reacquainted, Fido realizes Helen is miserable in her marriage and has wandering eyes. Helen tells Fido about how neglectful her husband, Harry, is to her, and as the story progresses, the inevitable happens: Helen and Harry separate, and Harry wants a divorce.
Most Victorian couples who wanted to part ways didn't typically pursue divorces. Instead, they made civil and financial arrangements that kept them in separate households. While this is the avenue Helen would have preferred, Harry was out for revenge and willing to risk his reputation for a courtroom drama that would keep London hanging on to its every movement. For me, the courtroom scenes of The Sealed Letter were brilliantly done - a true page-turning saga that epitomized the imbalance of justice between husband and wife. Because Helen was accused of adultery, the lawyers got their chance to talk about sex in discreet terms. It was like listening to 7th graders banter in the boys' locker room. Parts of it were immature; other parts, were hilarious.
What wasn't funny, though, was the misery inflicted upon many characters, including Harry and Fido, as this personal matter became a very public affair. Divorce was nasty business then - and for many couples, it remains tumultuous to this day. Thankfully, women's rights as wives have improved since then, but the fact remains that dissolving a marriage is hard on everyone involved. The Sealed Letter hits the head on this nail - repeatedly and effectively.
I liked The Sealed Letter for its historical look on women's rights, marriage and divorce during Victorian England. Truth be told, I wasn't thrilled with the characters, especially Helen, who was manipulative and cruel. I don't have to like the characters, though, to appreciate a good story, and that's certainly the case with The Sealed Letter. Emma Donoghue is an excellent storyteller, and I think most fans of literary fiction will find value in this moving story.
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will answer your questions.The story opens with a chance meeting between two old friends - Emily "Fido" Faithfull, a women's rights activist, and Helen Codrington, a naval wife. As the two become reacquainted, Fido realizes Helen is miserable in her marriage and has wandering eyes. Helen tells Fido about how neglectful her husband, Harry, is to her, and as the story progresses, the inevitable happens: Helen and Harry separate, and Harry wants a divorce.
Most Victorian couples who wanted to part ways didn't typically pursue divorces. Instead, they made civil and financial arrangements that kept them in separate households. While this is the avenue Helen would have preferred, Harry was out for revenge and willing to risk his reputation for a courtroom drama that would keep London hanging on to its every movement. For me, the courtroom scenes of The Sealed Letter were brilliantly done - a true page-turning saga that epitomized the imbalance of justice between husband and wife. Because Helen was accused of adultery, the lawyers got their chance to talk about sex in discreet terms. It was like listening to 7th graders banter in the boys' locker room. Parts of it were immature; other parts, were hilarious.
What wasn't funny, though, was the misery inflicted upon many characters, including Harry and Fido, as this personal matter became a very public affair. Divorce was nasty business then - and for many couples, it remains tumultuous to this day. Thankfully, women's rights as wives have improved since then, but the fact remains that dissolving a marriage is hard on everyone involved. The Sealed Letter hits the head on this nail - repeatedly and effectively.
I liked The Sealed Letter for its historical look on women's rights, marriage and divorce during Victorian England. Truth be told, I wasn't thrilled with the characters, especially Helen, who was manipulative and cruel. I don't have to like the characters, though, to appreciate a good story, and that's certainly the case with The Sealed Letter. Emma Donoghue is an excellent storyteller, and I think most fans of literary fiction will find value in this moving story.
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LibraryThing member CasualFriday
Donoghue's riveting historical novel is based on a actual English divorce case. Passionate, flighty Helen Codrington is unfaithful to her conventional husband with at least two men. She uses her close friend, feminist Emily "Fido" Faithfull, both to facilitate her affair and later to bolster her
The book is an engrossing page-turner. The legal aspects are illuminating, but what really shines are the characters. This is my second Donoghue novel, and she really makes her characters breathe. Now I need to read her most popular book, Slammerkin.
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case when her husband sues for divorce. Nobody tells the truth during the trial, and the arguments and outcome are based more on the pieties of the time than on facts and fairness (that could never happen today, of course).The book is an engrossing page-turner. The legal aspects are illuminating, but what really shines are the characters. This is my second Donoghue novel, and she really makes her characters breathe. Now I need to read her most popular book, Slammerkin.
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LibraryThing member THEPRINCESS
I wanted to read Room by the same author but it was unavailable so I "settled" for this one. I am so glad I did. Based in fact and set in the mid 1800s in Victorian England, it is the story of an unfaithful wife, her paramours and her friend "Fido". Full of secrecy, lies and manipulations it held
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my attention from the first page. This won't be my last read of this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member wandering_star
This novel is based on the true story of a scandalous Victorian divorce - which featured in its cast of characters a stuffy naval officer, his much younger and flirtatious wife, a series of handsome junior officers, and - oddly - an early feminist pioneer, who had been a close friend of the family,
The trial itself takes up perhaps the last third of the book. It is gripping and exciting, and allows Donoghue to pull together all the threads of her themes - about how the same story can be narrated differently by the people who were involved in it, and the contrast between truth and justice (brilliantly highlighted in the chapter titles, which are all legal terminology, with both the 'normal' and the technical definition).
Unfortunately, the story that leads up to the trial is not so well-told - it's rather clunky, with too much telling and not enough showing (especially in the conversations where the two women are talking at cross-purposes), and it's a little bit too predictable.
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but who was called as a witness in the trial. The details of the trial are on the historical record, but not the details of the tangled personalities which led up to it; and it's these that Donoghue re-imagines for this book. The trial itself takes up perhaps the last third of the book. It is gripping and exciting, and allows Donoghue to pull together all the threads of her themes - about how the same story can be narrated differently by the people who were involved in it, and the contrast between truth and justice (brilliantly highlighted in the chapter titles, which are all legal terminology, with both the 'normal' and the technical definition).
Unfortunately, the story that leads up to the trial is not so well-told - it's rather clunky, with too much telling and not enough showing (especially in the conversations where the two women are talking at cross-purposes), and it's a little bit too predictable.
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LibraryThing member noveltea
Donoghue certainly did her research! And she certainly could have left some of it out! (We really don't need to know the name of any ship the Admiral ever served on, let alone every single one of them.) I never had the feeling of being there in that place and time. But I often had the feeling I was
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looking over Donoghue's shoulder as she combed the historical record for interesting (and alas, not so interesting) tidbits. Still, this is by no means a bad novel. In fact, I quite enjoyed it. This story of a true Victorian divorce scandal is interesting and picks up momentum as it goes. The three main characters are each almost unbelievably stupid (and/or naive) at times, but I suppose that's a prerequisite for most scandals, and some revelations near the end showed me that I'd been stupid and naive right along with them. Show Less
LibraryThing member riida
brilliant! i loved every moment of reading it, more than i expected i would. made an instant fido faithful fan out of me :) and of emma donoghue.
LibraryThing member ladydymondz
the Sealed Letter wraps in reader in one of the most scandalous divorce stories in history. It draws the reader in. Self absorbed Helene an unfaithful housewife has the nerve to blame for naive husband for her adulterous behavior and in the process brings her faithful and naive friend in the pit of
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her divorce trial..A wonderful read Show Less
LibraryThing member ACQwoods
Most historical novels show the reader the contrast between the past and the present. The Sealed Letter managed to both highlight the differences but also remind us that some things never change. It's the story of two friends, Emily "Fido" Faithfull and Helen Codrington and how they weather the
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storm of Helen's divorce from her husband. Just as it is now, the public is fascinated by the gruesome details of Helen's affairs and the couples' personal lives. Although it was slow at points, I enjoyed the twist on a traditional tale. Show Less
LibraryThing member WoodsieGirl
The novel is based on actual newspaper reports of the 1864 Codrington divorce: at a time when divorces were becoming more common, but were still rare enough to cause a scandal, a high-profile case like this was exhaustively reported.The Sealed Letter is obviously very well researched, and the
Overall, I enjoyed this book. After a slightly slow start, it becomes quite a gripping page-turner: the gradual revelations through the trial and Helen’s increasingly ruthless machinations made it a genuinely suspenseful read. I also rather enjoyed learning more about the legal position of women in marriage and divorce at the time. I was actually quite shocked to find just how unfair it was: I knew of course that women at the time were considered in law to be essentially the property of their husbands, but hadn’t realised, for example, that a divorced woman had literally no right to see her children ever again (this was the case until 1925); or that a man could apply for divorce on the basis of his wife’s adultery, but the reverse was not true for women.
My only gripe, however, is that the two female main characters didn’t really ring true for me (unlike Vice-Admiral Codrington, who I thought was well and sympathetically drawn). Helen Codrington seemed like a caricature of a spoiled, bored socialite; and Emily Faithfull was just infuriating. She was naive to the point of stupidity, and the explanations for why she is so easily manipulated by Helen struck me as rather contrived. I thought her portrayal was a bit insulting to the real Emily Faithfull, to be honest, who by all accounts was an intelligent, accomplished business woman.
An enjoyable read, and one that left me wanting to know more about both the development of English divorce law and the character of Emily Faithfull (the author’s note is very interesting on both these points!); but marred slightly by underdeveloped characterisation and a slightly contrived “revelation” at the end.
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knowledge that the courtroom dialogue is accurate as reported prevents some details from seeming overly contrived. For example, in the author’s note at the end Donoghue notes that one witness’ testimony, hinting at adultery with a reference to a “stained dress”, may seem like “anachronistic allusions to the Bill Clinton impeachment”; but is actually taken directly from the records of the trial.Overall, I enjoyed this book. After a slightly slow start, it becomes quite a gripping page-turner: the gradual revelations through the trial and Helen’s increasingly ruthless machinations made it a genuinely suspenseful read. I also rather enjoyed learning more about the legal position of women in marriage and divorce at the time. I was actually quite shocked to find just how unfair it was: I knew of course that women at the time were considered in law to be essentially the property of their husbands, but hadn’t realised, for example, that a divorced woman had literally no right to see her children ever again (this was the case until 1925); or that a man could apply for divorce on the basis of his wife’s adultery, but the reverse was not true for women.
My only gripe, however, is that the two female main characters didn’t really ring true for me (unlike Vice-Admiral Codrington, who I thought was well and sympathetically drawn). Helen Codrington seemed like a caricature of a spoiled, bored socialite; and Emily Faithfull was just infuriating. She was naive to the point of stupidity, and the explanations for why she is so easily manipulated by Helen struck me as rather contrived. I thought her portrayal was a bit insulting to the real Emily Faithfull, to be honest, who by all accounts was an intelligent, accomplished business woman.
An enjoyable read, and one that left me wanting to know more about both the development of English divorce law and the character of Emily Faithfull (the author’s note is very interesting on both these points!); but marred slightly by underdeveloped characterisation and a slightly contrived “revelation” at the end.
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LibraryThing member jessicariddoch
Intregue and polotics. The main character is a femal who is of a strange position in victorian like. she beleves in womens rights. the main one being a womans right to work. You tend not to think of those women whos life depended on being supported by someone as they had no way to support
Through this maincharacter we see the views of those
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themselves, they had to find a protector or starve.Through this maincharacter we see the views of those
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LibraryThing member reader68
historical fiction based on a real divorce trial in mid-l860's in Victorian England. This book takes a long time to get going. But when it does, it is absorbing. Read as an ebook.
LibraryThing member PaulaCheg
Second half is better than the first half. Based on a real historical situation, so interesting to learn about the development of feminism.
Emma Donoghue also wrote Room, which I read and liked. This is very different.
Worth a read, but not life changing.
Emma Donoghue also wrote Room, which I read and liked. This is very different.
Worth a read, but not life changing.
LibraryThing member sianpr
A Victorian melodrama based on the real case of the Codrington divorce that focuses on how Emily (Fido) Faithfull, a leading women's right campaigner, gets embroiled in the Codrington's divorce. An easy read that captures the double standards and intrigues of The Victorian era.
LibraryThing member Carolinejyoung
I enjoyed this book but had difficulty relating or empathising with any of the characters apart from towards the end when I felt some empathy towards Helen's husband. Not as addictive as Room. This could well have been due to the era that it's set in and the language used.
LibraryThing member sarahzilkastarke
For all the hype it's really kind of mediocre. Clinton era divorce in victorian england. It's a historical novel with all the dirty words left in. Really there wasn't much to it. Wife is a whore. Husband doesn't like it and divorces her. She enlists a spinster friend to help her out. Spinster
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friend isn't happy to be dragged into some sordid affair. There was a small twist at the end which no matter how frequently denied I knew was coming from about 20 pages in. Nothing was earth shattering. No character stood out as better developed. This book being based in fact just made it all the more disappointing that the characters were so 1 dimensional and uninvolved. It was like they were acting in a play instead of living their lives. I wouldn't recommend it. Leave true life to the biographers and fiction to the novelists. I don't know why I even try to read Emma Donoghue I never like her work. Show Less
LibraryThing member sturlington
Emily Faithfull, a leader in the early feminist movement in Victorian England, is drawn back into the life of an old friend and then becomes embroiled in her divorce case.
I didn't realize until I got to the afterword that The Sealed Letter was a historical novel about actual people and events.
Because of the shifting points of view, we get to know and sympathize with all three characters, who seem caught up in a scandal that becomes much larger than themselves. While Helen is the least sympathetic, as she is clearly cheating on her husband, she is still trapped in a loveless marriage formed when she was too young to know any better, and her husband takes away her children without even allowing her a final goodbye, underscoring how few legal rights women had during this period. Fido, despite her independence and self-reliance, comes across as too naive and trusting, as well as too much in love, something she won't even admit to herself. And Henry, the husband, is ultimately a man of principle, despite his cruel actions toward his wife. There are no winners here, but the playing out of the scandal and the legal machinations are fascinating.
My main complaint is that the story takes a bit too long to get rolling, and it seems to get bogged down at several points. It took me a while to actually get involved with the characters. There is a twist at the end, but it's one that perceptive readers will see coming. I appreciated the great amount of research Donoghue must have done to bring these historical characters to life, and I enjoyed learning about a part of British history and the feminist movement that I wasn't familiar with. I will be sure to seek out more books by Donoghue.
Read in 2014.
I didn't realize until I got to the afterword that The Sealed Letter was a historical novel about actual people and events.
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Learning that made the book much more interesting to me. The story is told from the points of view of the three members of a triangle, of sorts. Fido (Emily Faitfull) is an independent woman working for the Cause (women's rights) when she encounters--by chance, it seems--her old friend Helen Codrington, whom she thought cut her out of her life long ago. Fido is drawn back into friendship with Helen when she becomes an unwilling participant in the divorce case brought by her husband against her, a reluctant witness for both sides. Because of the shifting points of view, we get to know and sympathize with all three characters, who seem caught up in a scandal that becomes much larger than themselves. While Helen is the least sympathetic, as she is clearly cheating on her husband, she is still trapped in a loveless marriage formed when she was too young to know any better, and her husband takes away her children without even allowing her a final goodbye, underscoring how few legal rights women had during this period. Fido, despite her independence and self-reliance, comes across as too naive and trusting, as well as too much in love, something she won't even admit to herself. And Henry, the husband, is ultimately a man of principle, despite his cruel actions toward his wife. There are no winners here, but the playing out of the scandal and the legal machinations are fascinating.
My main complaint is that the story takes a bit too long to get rolling, and it seems to get bogged down at several points. It took me a while to actually get involved with the characters. There is a twist at the end, but it's one that perceptive readers will see coming. I appreciated the great amount of research Donoghue must have done to bring these historical characters to life, and I enjoyed learning about a part of British history and the feminist movement that I wasn't familiar with. I will be sure to seek out more books by Donoghue.
Read in 2014.
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LibraryThing member jayne_charles
Telling the story of a Victorian divorce, this novel underlines just how far we have come in terms of women’s liberation since those times. Though slow at the start, it comes into its own as the court case begins and the prose becomes almost playful – making the most of prudish Victorian
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sensibilities about (whisper it) sex – and it felt as though it had been as much fun to write as it was to read. All the time the reader knows that the accusations aimed at the wife in the case are true, and yet the ingrained sexism of Victorian society – laid bare here – mean she has our sympathy. There’s nothing like a book like this to concentrate the mind on the hard-won progress that women have made, and the fact that that progress was obstructed not just by the self-interest of men but also by the attitudes of other women. Show Less
LibraryThing member jan.fleming
Synopsis
After a separation of many years, Emily 'Fido' Faithfull bumps into her old friend Helen Codrington on the streets of Victorian London. Much has changed: Helen is more and more unhappy in her marriage to the older Vice-Admiral Codrington, while Fido has become a successful woman of business
The Sealed Letter is based on a true story, a 1864 divorce trial that scandalised Victorian England with it's titillating details of sordid trysts, stained clothing, accusations of adultery, counterclaims of rape, and a mysterious letter that could destroy more than one life. The trial, and tribulations, of the wronged vice-admiral Henry Codrington and his sexually rapacious wife is the stuff that even today tabloid editors dream of.
Emily “Fido” Faithful hasn’t seen or heard from her best friend Helen Codrington in years and then they bump into each other on a London street. Helen is accompanied by an attractive young man. Before she knows it, Fido is swept along as a reluctant accomplish in Helen’s obsessive extramarital affair.
Poor decent Fido is horrified by her friend's adultery but fascinated at the same time. When she hears Helen and her lover going at it on her sofa — the tortured springs emitting a “frantic squeak” — she’s both fascinated and repulsed.
I found it hard to get into at first and for one reason alone...I hated, hated with a passion, Emily’s nickname, it really put me off. Luckily I got over this... I loved it, the pace,the writing and you experience this delicious sensation of being sympathetic to the characters and the situation they find themselves in and at the same time cringing at everything they do and say.
The author says 'I see The Sealed Letter as completing a sort of trilogy of investigations of the British class system, from the desperation of poverty in Slammerkin, though the complexities of the genteel in Life Mask, to the bourgeois embarrassments of The Sealed Letter.'
A word of warning... “every friend one makes in life is a liability: . . . one must keep her as a friend forever or she’ll become an enemy.”
After a separation of many years, Emily 'Fido' Faithfull bumps into her old friend Helen Codrington on the streets of Victorian London. Much has changed: Helen is more and more unhappy in her marriage to the older Vice-Admiral Codrington, while Fido has become a successful woman of business
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and a pioneer in the British Women's Movement. But, for all her independence of mind, Fido is too trusting of her once-dear companion and finds herself drawn into aiding Helen's obsessive affair with a young army officer. Then, when the Vice-Admiral seizes the children and sues for divorce, the women's friendship unravels amid accusations of adultery and counter-accusations of cruelty and attempted rape, as well as a mysterious 'sealed letter' that could destroy more than one life ...The Sealed Letter is based on a true story, a 1864 divorce trial that scandalised Victorian England with it's titillating details of sordid trysts, stained clothing, accusations of adultery, counterclaims of rape, and a mysterious letter that could destroy more than one life. The trial, and tribulations, of the wronged vice-admiral Henry Codrington and his sexually rapacious wife is the stuff that even today tabloid editors dream of.
Emily “Fido” Faithful hasn’t seen or heard from her best friend Helen Codrington in years and then they bump into each other on a London street. Helen is accompanied by an attractive young man. Before she knows it, Fido is swept along as a reluctant accomplish in Helen’s obsessive extramarital affair.
Poor decent Fido is horrified by her friend's adultery but fascinated at the same time. When she hears Helen and her lover going at it on her sofa — the tortured springs emitting a “frantic squeak” — she’s both fascinated and repulsed.
I found it hard to get into at first and for one reason alone...I hated, hated with a passion, Emily’s nickname, it really put me off. Luckily I got over this... I loved it, the pace,the writing and you experience this delicious sensation of being sympathetic to the characters and the situation they find themselves in and at the same time cringing at everything they do and say.
The author says 'I see The Sealed Letter as completing a sort of trilogy of investigations of the British class system, from the desperation of poverty in Slammerkin, though the complexities of the genteel in Life Mask, to the bourgeois embarrassments of The Sealed Letter.'
A word of warning... “every friend one makes in life is a liability: . . . one must keep her as a friend forever or she’ll become an enemy.”
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LibraryThing member gayla.bassham
My expectations were low, but I ended up really enjoying this book. I liked it far more than I liked Room, in fact. The characters were well-drawn, and the milieu felt right. It's not a brilliant book, but it is a very solid, compelling, absorbing piece of historical fiction.
LibraryThing member moosenoose
What a let down. I'd heard amazing things about Donoghue, but this did not live up to the hype. Although partially based on true events, the story was slow and quite dull. Helen was an annoying, spoilt little bitch and Fido was pathetic and naïve, even for the age in which he story is set. I
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couldn't relate to, or feel any emotion for, the characters and couldn't have cared less what happened to them. A shame really as I'm a history geek and normally love these types of books. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rdra1962
Annoying characters and dialogue, to many unnecessary details that detracted from the story, little insight into the characters or their behavior. Really had to force myself to plod thru this one!
Subjects
Awards
Women's Prize for Fiction (Longlist — 2012)
Lambda Literary Award (Nominee — 2009)
Stonewall Book Award (Honor Book — Literature — 2009)
Scotiabank Giller Prize (Longlist — 2008)
Language
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
382 p.; 21 inches
ISBN
0547247761 / 9780547247762