"Love Me Little, Love Me Long" by Charles Reade is a captivating Victorian-era novel that intricately weaves together romance, drama, and moral ambiguity to explore the complexities of human relationships within society. Reade's masterful storytelling and rich character development bring to life a cast of compelling characters whose lives are entangled in a web of love, betrayal, and intrigue. Set against the backdrop of Victorian England, the novel delves into the intricacies of family dynamics and societal expectations, revealing the tensions and conflicts that arise when personal desires clash with societal norms. Through vivid prose and evocative descriptions, Reade paints a vivid picture of a society grappling with moral ambiguity and the consequences of its actions. At its core, "Love Me Little, Love Me Long" is a poignant exploration of love and its various manifestations, from the passionate to the tragic. As the characters navigate the complexities of their relationships, readers are drawn into a world of passion, heartache, and redemption, making this novel a timeless classic of English literature.
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).
