Run to Earth: A Novel

"Run to Earth: A Novel" by M. E. Braddon is a classic fictional work likely written in the late 19th century. The novel unfolds a tale of intrigue, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and the darker elements of human nature through the eyes of its protagonist, Captain Valentine Jernam, as he navigates the perilous waters of fate and deception. The opening of "Run to Earth" introduces us to Captain Valentine Jernam and his loyal clerk, Joyce Harker, as they share a drink in a back room of a public-house in Shadwell. Jernam reflects on his past and his affection for the sea, while Harker expresses concerns about their surroundings, hinting at danger. When Jernam becomes entranced by the singing of a beautiful girl in the tavern, named Jenny Milsom, Harker's wariness intensifies, raising the tension of the narrative. As Jernam decides to pursue a chance meeting with Jenny, Harker’s apprehensions about the dangers lurking in their environment foreshadow the looming conflicts and challenges to come, setting the stage for a tumultuous journey marked by looming threats and unanticipated turns. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Elizabeth Braddon was an English popular novelist of the Victorian era. She is best known for her 1862 sensation novel Lady Audley's Secret, which has also been dramatised and filmed several times.