The Shadow of Ashlydyat

In the story of the fall of the Godolphin family from their wealth and prominence, Mrs. Henry Wood engages in heavy foreshadowing and a dollop of the supernatural. The book is primarily about the love triangle between rector's daughter Maria Hastings, "fast" young Charlotte Pain, and the younger son George Godolphin. Some negative consequences ensue for all concerned. From the beginning of the book, the titular "shadow" is said to foreshadow great tragedy for the Godolphin family, and it pretty much follows form from there.

East Lynn was a sensation novel, and I expected the rest of her work to follow suit. But the Shadow of Ashlydyat (Ash-LYD-yate) isn't really a sensation novel at all. It's just a good, solid Victorian melodrama. There show more are some laughably sappy death scenes, but there are also some interesting characters. Not great, but I did end up enjoying it. show less