Rhoda Broughton

I have always enjoyed the novels of Rhoda Broughton, but until this weekend I had no idea that she was born in Denbigh, North Wales. Denbigh is my birthplace, as well! She was born at Segrwyd Hall, on 29th November 1840. She was the daughter of the Reverend Delves-Broughton and Jane Bennett. Her Uncle was the writer Sheridan le Fanu.

Even more exciting for me is that for much of her early life, Rhoda Broughton lived at Broughton Hall in Broughton, near Chester. Following the Second World War my Mum and her family, and now my Uncle and his family, lived opposite Broughton Hall, when Broughton was a small and rural village.

Broughton Hall was demolished before I started visiting Grandparents and family in Broughton, and the site turned into a large housing estate, but my Mum did remember the Hall very well and regretted the changes to the village.

Broughton's early novels earned a reputation for sensationalism, she was called the Queen of the Circulating Libraries. She was renowned for her contributions to Victorian Sensation Fiction, characterized by bold portrayals of female desire, social transgression, and witty social commentary. Many of her novels were controversial and compare favourably with other Sensation novelists of the Victorian era.

I have loved Sensation novels since I discovered the novels of Mrs Henry Wood (Ellen Wood) in the 1980s. Rhoda Broughton can be compared with Mrs Henry Wood, although Broughton's novels focus on emotional realism and female independence, whilst Ellen Wood's focus on moral drama and social consequences. Both novelists share much in common with the "benchmark" author of Victorian sensationalism: Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

Having a quick look at our bookshelves I have discovered an unread Broughton novel: Not Wisely, But Too Well which I think will be reading next. Then I will start seeking out as many of her novels as I can find. I'm really looking forward to acquainting myself more closely with Rhoda Broughton's work.