The Doctor's Wife (ePub)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1835-1915) was a prolific British author best known for her sensation novels, a genre that combined elements from gothic, mystery, and domestic fiction to captivate the Victorian public's imagination. Her literary career began in 1860, but it was the publication of 'Lady Audley's Secret' in 1862 that vaulted her to fame. Braddon's work often challenged the social norms of her time, particularly with regards to female autonomy and respectability. 'The Doctor's Wife' (1864), one of her many novels, is a reimagining of Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary'. In this novel, Braddon explored the inner life and frustrations of Isabel Gilbert, a character caught between her own romantic illusions and the banalities of provincial life. Unlike the more infamous Emma Bovary, Braddon's heroine survives her own discontent, reflecting the author's nuanced approach to character development and social critique. Braddon's literary style is characterized by her vivid characterization, suspenseful plotting, and a keen understanding of the sensational. Despite facing criticism for her engagement with controversial topics, she enjoyed a successful career with over 80 novels to her name, and her work remains historically significant as a touchstone for both Victorian literature and the evolution of the female narrative voice.