“Vera” by Elizabeth von Arnim is a chilling psychological thriller that delves into the dark and oppressive world of an abusive marriage. The novel centers around Lucy Entwhistle, a young woman who, after the sudden death of her father, falls under the spell of Everard Wemyss, an older man who is seemingly caring but deeply troubled. Quickly, their whirlwind romance leads to marriage, but Lucy soon discovers that her new husband is manipulative and controlling. As the story unfolds, power dynamics within the marriage shift drastically. Her attempts to assert her autonomy are met with betrayal and further entrapment, highlighting the tragic consequences of a relationship built on lies and control. Von Arnim's use of Gothic elements adds to the novel's eerie atmosphere, making the story not just a tale of domestic abuse, but also a broader commentary on the dangers of unchecked power in intimate relationships. The novel builds to a devastating tragedy, leaving the reader with a haunting exploration of the loss of self in the face of overwhelming oppression.
Elizabeth von Arnim was an English author who was born Mary Annette Beauchamp on August 31, 1866, and died on February 9, 1941. She was born in Australia and married a German nobleman. Her first books are set in Germany. She was made Countess von Arnim-Schlagenthin by her first marriage, and Countess Russell by her second marriage to Elizabeth Russell. Following the death of her first husband, she had an affair with writer H. G. Wells for three years. She then married Frank Russell, who is the older brother of philosopher and Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell. She was related to the author Katherine Mansfield, who was born in New Zealand. In her early years, she was known as May, but in her first book, she was called Elizabeth, which is what her friends and family eventually called her. The works she did are credited to Elizabeth von Arnim. She only wrote one book under the name Alice Cholmondeley, which came out in 1917 and was called Christine. She was born at her family's home on Kirribilli Point in Sydney, Australia. Her parents were Henry Herron Beauchamp (1825–1907), a rich ship owner, and Elizabeth Weiss Lassetter, also known as “Louey.” Her family called her May. She was one of five children. Kathy Beauchamp, who wrote under the name Katherine Mansfield, was one of her cousins and was born in New Zealand.
