Helen

Perhaps this book could be called 'Integrity' or 'Truthfulness', because it deals fundamentally with how a minor piece of deceit can turn into systemic untruthfulness, which in turn can ruin lives. It shows how individuals can be eaten up and distorted by different kinds of deceit - false friendship, a wish to appear fashionable, an appearance of virtue masking something very different. As ever, Edgeworth's didactic purpose is accompanied by a gripping plot, as eponymous heroine Helen brushes against the dangers of extravagance, wrestles with the twin challenges of betraying a friend against betraying herself, and all at the same time is matched with a charming partner - who may or may not keep his faith when she is compromised. show more Fascinating - as ever. show less

'I who have no secrets of my own- why should I be forced to keep the secrets of another?'
By sally tarbox on 23 Sept. 2012
Format: Paperback
Slow to get going but by Volume 2 starts to become really gripping.
Helen Stanley, left impoverished on her uncle's death, is offered a home with her childhood friend Lady Cecilia and her husband, the stern but righteous General Clarendon. Another important character is the wise Lady Davenant (Cecilia's mother) whose thoughts on morals and life are much valued by Helen - only Lady Davenant could pronounce a character 'constitutionally wilful and metaphysically vacillating'!

Problems start to arise through Cecilia's untruthful nature, where ultimately she leaves her friend to take the blame for her own show more doings... Helen is utterly righteous all the time, so I started to get fed up with her self sacrificing spirit. This is where for me, Maria Edgeworth cannot reach the levels of her 'rival' Jane Austen.
Nonetheless turns out to be quite an exciting read! show less