Mary Braddon’s writing style is extremely recognizable and distinct, often using flamboyant descriptions and dramatic, emotional dialogue to draw readers into the intense fabric of Lady Audley’s Secret. The novel is a prime example of Victorian sensation fiction, the genre for which Braddon was best known. Like most sensation novels, this book exudes melodrama and suspense. This tension is enhanced by a structure filled with red herrings and teasers, often misleading readers or tempting them down intriguing paths before revealing the truth.
The syntax of Braddon's writing—characterized by often abruptly varied sentence lengths and realistically depicted dialogue—reflects the novel’s intricate emotional landscape. Some sentences meander extensively, imitating the complex and often-confused thought processes of its characters. This stylistic choice helps readers feel the uncertainty and expectation that's built into the entire book. It's as if they are personally involved in the unfolding dramas surrounding Lucy.
Braddon's propensity for "purple" prose, an extravagant use of figurative language, also contributes to this. Her vivid metaphors and lush descriptions often border on the excessive, painting an intense, almost surreal picture of characters and their surroundings. The saturation of the language mirrors the emotions of the people she's describing, drenching the narrative in conflicting emotions and experiences.
Yet, for all its extravagance, the novel's diction is also precise and deliberate. Braddon chooses her words with care, ensuring clarity amidst the tumult. The plot, though complex, is easy to follow because of this simplicity. It’s also supported by the novel's pacing. It's both methodical and complex, and is punctuated with twists and turns that are strategically deployed to maintain a reader's engagement.
