"A True Friend: A Novel" by Adeline Sergeant is a captivating tale set in the vibrant tapestry of Victorian era England. At its core, the narrative delves into the complexities of friendship, loyalty, and love within the intricate framework of society's expectations and social class divides. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn into the lives of compelling characters whose destinies intertwine amidst drama, secrets, and betrayals. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society, the bonds of friendship are tested, revealing the true depth of character and the enduring power of familial ties. Romance blooms amidst the constraints of societal norms, as characters navigate the intricacies of courtship and marriage. Yet, beneath the veneer of propriety, lies a world simmering with intrigue and hidden desires. Throughout the novel, Adeline Sergeant skillfully crafts a narrative that not only explores the complexities of human relationships but also offers rich character development. From the highs of love to the lows of betrayal, "A True Friend" invites readers on a journey through the heartaches and triumphs of life in Victorian England, leaving them captivated until the very end.
Adeline Sergeant was an English writer. Emily Frances Adeline Sergeant, the second daughter of Richard Sergeant and Jane (Hall), was born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. She was homeschooled until the age of thirteen, when she began attending school in Weston-super-Mare. Emily's mother wrote children's books under the pen name 'Adeline', which she eventually used for her own writings. At the age of fifteen, Emily's poetry were published in a compilation that garnered favorable reviews in Weslayan periodicals. She got a scholarship to Queen's College, London. Her father died in 1870, and she spent several years as a governess in Riverhead, Kent. Her novel Jacobi's wife earned her a tiny £100 award in 1882, and it was serialized in London. Her writings were serialized in the Dundee newspaper for several years, during which time she resided from 1885 to 1887. Adeline then relocated to Bloomsbury, London, where she made enough money to sustain herself through her writing. In the late 1880s, she became interested in Fabianism and the condition of the impoverished in London. Over her literary career, she wrote over ninety novels, some of which had a religious tone. Her religious beliefs changed throughout time, and she briefly became agnostic in the 1880s. She finally converted to Catholicism at the end of the century.
