White Lies

"White Lies" by Charles Reade, written in the late 19th century, examines themes of nobility, loss, and the shifting social structures following political upheaval in France. The novel follows the family of the late Baron de Beaurepaire, focusing on his widow and daughters, Josephine and Rose, as they navigate their changed circumstances in the wake of the French Revolution. At the beginning, the family is introduced as part of the French aristocracy, once wealthy and esteemed, but now struggling with financial ruin and the loss of their social status due to the political turmoil. The baroness and her daughters must face their new reality while maintaining their dignity, with the help of their family friend, Dr. Aubertin. As the story progresses, the sisters encounter Edouard Riviere, a young official whose interest in them begins to complicate their lives. The novel explores the tensions between social class and personal ambition, as well as the emotional challenges that arise when the trappings of nobility are stripped away. Through the characters' interactions and struggles, the narrative offers a poignant reflection on honor, love, and the impact of societal change on individual lives.

Charles Reade, a British novelist and dramatist, is best known for his work The Cloister and the Hearth. Charles Reade was born in Ipsden, Oxfordshire, to John Reade and Anne Marie Scott-Waring. He had at least four brothers. He received his B.A. from Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1835, and later became a fellow of the college. He then became dean of arts and vice-president, and in 1847 he received his D.C.L degree. His name was entered at Lincoln's Inn in 1836; he was chosen a Vinerian Fellow in 1842 and admitted to the bar in 1843. He maintained his fellowship at Magdalen throughout his life, but after receiving his degree, he spent the majority of his time in London. William Winwood Reade, the prominent historian, was his nephew. Reade began his writing career as a dramatist, and he elected to list "dramatist" first on his tombstone. As an author, he was always aware of the stage effect in scenes, settings, and conversation. His first comedy, The Ladies' Battle, debuted at the Olympic Theatre in May 1851. It was succeeded by Angela (1851), A Village Tale (1852), The Lost Husband (1852), and Gold (1853).