Love at Second Sight

"Love at Second Sight" by Ada Leverson is a novel first published in the early 20th century (specifically in 1916). The story centers around the life of Edith Ottley, who is navigating her domestic life alongside her husband Bruce and their son Archie while hosting their enigmatic guest, Madame Frabelle. The narrative explores themes of curiosity, social interactions, and the underlying dynamics of marriage and relationships within the context of early 20th-century British society. The opening of the novel introduces us to a puzzling domestic scene where Edith is disturbed by noise made by Madame Frabelle, a guest at her home. As she interacts with her son Archie, there are hints of both humor and tension in their dialogue about her guest’s peculiarities. Edith reflects on her fascination with Madame Frabelle, whose background remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, despite her magnetic presence. Much of the initial focus is on the charming yet complicated engagement between Edith and her family, as well as their increasingly complicated relationship with Madame Frabelle, who seems to be both a source of intrigue and discomfort. The groundwork is effectively laid for a story that balances light-hearted domesticity with deeper psychological explorations of its characters.