The Secret That Was Kept; a study in fear

[light shelfwear, soft diagonal bend to top corners of a group of about a dozen pages; jacket is moderately edgeworn, with a few insignificant tears and nicks "In an atmosphere of good breeding, wealth and respectability June Purdey's life seemed commonplace enough until scandal and disgrace shattered her complacency. Her husband, James Storey Purdey, suddenly becomes a fugitive from justice, an embezzler and a bankrupt. In her search for peace June meets Terrence Byrne and discovers the true significance of love." Bad husband dies, happy lovers experience "an exquisite idyll in the heart of the vine-clad Apennines," until suddenly -- "horror is unleashed in the form of an overwhelming catastrophe, and the resulting situation is intolerable to the last degree." And if you think I'm going to tell you what this catastrophe is, think again. I will tell you, however, that the author (1862-1952) was a renowned actress and feminist, who began writing novels in the 1890s (under the name "C.E. Raimond"); although born in Kentucky, she lived most of her life in England, including among her many accomplishments the popularization of Ibsen's work on the British stage (she was the first actress to play Hedda Gabler in English). She moved in the highest circles of English literary and artistic life, and was a force in the women's movement throughout most of her adult life. In other words: don't mistake this book for some romance tale aimed at idle shopgirls.

Product Info

Publisher: Harper & Brothers

Year: 1926

Type: Used

Binding: Hardcover

First Edition

Seller Info

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