Alas! A Novel

Alas! A Novel by Rhoda Broughton opens with a razor-sharp blend of wit and domestic unease, pulling readers into the small dramas and social pretenses of late-Victorian life. Broughton’s Victorian novel centers on Amelia and a cast of vividly drawn characters—including the awkward James Burgoyne—whose public performances and private anxieties reveal the era’s rules about marriage, reputation, and class. With sly irony and keen psychological observation, the narrative moves between drawing-room comedy and sharper social critique, exposing how manners mask ambition and desire. Rooted in the social milieu of 19th-century England, Alas! combines Broughton’s characteristic humor with a serious interest in gender dynamics and emotional truth. The prose is rich in dialogue and subtle satire, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking without divulging key plot turns. Listeners will appreciate the novel’s careful pacing, memorable character work, and the moral tensions that underpin everyday conversation. Perfect for fans of classic English literature, social satire, and character-driven fiction, this audiobook suits listeners who enjoy witty period dramas and nuanced explorations of Victorian society.