The Sealed Letter

By: Emma Donoghue

Narrated by: Charlotte Strevens

Based on a real-life scandal that gripped England in 1864. From the bestselling author of Room, Emma Donoghue's The Sealed Letter is a delicious tale of secrets, betrayal, and forbidden love.

Helen Codrington is unhappily married. Emily 'Fido' Faithfull hasn't seen her once-dear friend for years. Suddenly, after bumping into Helen on the streets of Victorian London, Fido finds herself reluctantly helping Helen to have an affair with a young army officer.

The women's friendship quickly unravels amid courtroom accusations of adultery, counter-accusations of cruelty and attempted rape, and the appearance of a mysterious 'sealed letter' that could destroy more than one life . . .

'The Sealed Letter is a page-turner with a jaw-dropping ending' – Stylist

Critic reviews

The Sealed Letter is a page-turner with a jaw-dropping ending.

A bit annoying

Full marks to Emma Donoghue for her scholarship, but it's not much of a story. The characters, as depicted are a bunch of extremely annoying twits. I found the depiction of Fido as a naïve, drippy, romantic, particularly irritating. I've read my share of Braddon and Collins, and I didn't find the simpering dialogue authentic for the period, just a bit condescending towards lesbians and their straight girl crushes. I suspect Fido would be turning in her grave, if such things were possible.

Change the narrator-I lasted 15 minutes

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Another narrator

What was most disappointing about Emma Donoghue’s story?

The narrator ruined it all

How could the performance have been better?

I wish Stephen Fry could have read this. Yes, Isay that

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Sealed Letter?

None.

Any additional comments?

I want to be able to read this, but no!