에드가 월러스의 이상한 백작부인

The strange countess by Edgar Wallace

에드가 월러스(Edgar Wallace) 지음

디즈비즈북스 2025년 10월 21일 출간

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영어로 읽는 고전 _ 에드가 월러스의 이상한 백작부인
에드거 월러스의 "이상한 백작부인"은 20세기 초에 쓰여진 소설이다. 이야기는 수수께끼 같은 모론 백작부인의 비서라는 새로운 직책을 포함하여 런던에서 일련의 개인적이고 직업적인 미스터리를 헤쳐나가는 젊은 여성 로이스 마제리타 레들을 중심으로 한다. 이야기는 음모, 가족의 비밀, 로맨틱 서스펜스의 요소들을 엮어내며, 끈질긴 마이클 돈, 모론 부인, 그리고 강인한 리지 스미스와 같은 등장인물들이 드라마와 복잡성을 더한다. 이 작품은 영국 사회를 배경으로 정체성, 계급, 정의라는 주제들을 탐구하는 것으로 보인다.
"이상한 백작부인"의 도입부는 자기계발에 열성적인 고아 로이스 레들이 모론 백작부인을 위해 일하는 인생의 새로운 장을 시작할 준비를 하는 모습을 소개한다. 초기 챕터들은 리지 스미스와의 긴밀한 우정을 묘사하고, 끈질긴 구혼자를 암시하며, 그녀의 옛 집주인과 무뚝뚝한 고용주를 포함한 다채로운 출연진을 소개한다. 평범한 법무 심부름이 곧 로이스의 삶을 뒤바꾸는데, 감옥 방문 중에 그녀는 유명한 죄수—살인죄로 유죄 판결받은 메리 핀더—가 일치하는 개인적 세부사항과 어린 시절의 흉터를 바탕으로 자신의 어머니일 가능성이 높다는 것을 알게 된다. 충격을 받은 로이스는 자신의 생명을 노리는 이상한 시도들, 모호한 선물들, 그리고 곧 탐정으로 밝혀지는 마이클 돈과의 더 깊은 얽힘을 마주하면서도 어머니의 무죄를 증명하기로 결심한다. 로이스가 백작부인의 웅장한 저택으로 이사하면서, 그녀는 새로운 용의자들과 동맹자들을 만나게 되어 자신의 출생과 얽힌 복잡한 미스터리의 무대를 마련한다.

Reading Classics in English _ The strange countess by Edgar Wallace
Edgar Wallace's "The Strange Countess" unfolds as a compelling early 20th-century mystery that masterfully intertwines personal discovery with criminal investigation, creating a narrative where questions of identity become matters of life and death. The story follows Lois Margeritta Reddle, a determined young orphan whose quest for respectability and self-improvement leads her into a world where family secrets and social climbing collide with deadly consequences.
Wallace constructs his tale around the stark contrast between Lois's humble origins and her ambitious aspirations, using her employment with the mysterious Countess of Moron as a gateway into London's upper echelons—a world that proves far more dangerous than the poverty she seeks to escape. The author demonstrates remarkable skill in weaving together multiple narrative threads: romantic intrigue with the persistent Michael Dorn, class tensions embodied by the enigmatic Countess, and the steadfast friendship with the indomitable Lizzy Smith.
The story's central revelation—that the infamous convict Mary Pinder may be Lois's long-lost mother—transforms what begins as a social climbing narrative into a deeply personal quest for justice. This discovery serves as both emotional catalyst and plot engine, forcing Lois to confront not only her own identity but also the possibility that her mother has been wrongly imprisoned for murder.
Wallace expertly escalates the tension through a series of increasingly dangerous incidents targeting Lois, from mysterious gifts to outright attempts on her life, suggesting that her investigation into her mother's case has awakened forces determined to keep the truth buried. The revelation that Michael Dorn is actually a detective adds layers of complexity to their relationship, blurring the lines between romance and professional obligation.
The grand household of the Countess becomes more than mere setting—it transforms into a stage where past and present converge, where new alliances form and old secrets surface. As Lois navigates this treacherous terrain, she must distinguish between genuine allies and those who would use her quest for their own purposes.
Wallace's genius lies in his ability to make Lois's personal journey inseparable from the larger mystery, creating a narrative where solving her mother's case becomes essential not only for justice but for her own survival in a world where knowledge can be both power and peril.

목차

Contents
Chapter I. Lois Margeritta Reddle sat on the edge
Chapter II. They went off to the office
Chapter III. The grim entrance of Telsbury Convict
Chapter IV. Her head was in a whirl
Chapter V. The clerks had gone
Chapter VI. Charlotte Street was deserted
Chapter VII. For a second she remained
Chapter VIII. All her life
Chapter IX. Lady Moron was talking
Chapter X. The Countess of Moron
Chapter XI. As she fell
Chapter XII. Lois did not go into the office
Chapter XIII. You’re a very naughty boy
Chapter XIV. I’m afraid you can’t come
Chapter XV. In a second she had recovered
Chapter XVI. Her first impulse was to fly
Chapter XVII. Lois thought it was kind of Lady Moron
Chapter XVIII. At five o’clock that afternoon
Chapter XIX. Lois Reddle was in no mood
Chapter XX. And that’s that!
Chapter XXI. Lois was wakened from an exhausted sleep
Chapter XXII. When Michael Dorn left the police station
Chapter XXIII. What is the meaning of this?
Chapter XXIV. It was three o’clock in the afternoon
Chapter XXV. Lois came to consciousness almost at once
Chapter XXVI. It was the worst kind of fortune
Chapter XXVII. Two hours after Michael Dorn had gone
Chapter XXVIII. He could almost afford to feel
Chapter XXIX. The letter had come by special delivery
Chapter XXX. Though she could remember one
Chapter XXXI. Lois could hardly believe her ears
Chapter XXXII. Earlier that day somebody else
Chapter XXXIII. Mr. Chesney Praye was a welcome visitor
Chapter XXIV. She looked at him bewildered
Chapter XXXV. As the gates burst open violently
Chapter XXXVI. Leonora, Countess of Moron

출판사 서평

서평
에드거 월러스의 『이상한 백작부인』은 개인적 정체성 탐구와 범죄 수사를 교묘하게 결합한 20세기 초 미스터리의 걸작이다. 고아 로이스 레들이 살인죄로 복역 중인 어머니의 무죄를 증명하려는 과정에서 벌어지는 위험한 모험이 긴장감 있게 그려진다. 월러스는 계급 상승 욕망과 가족 비밀, 로맨틱 서스펜스를 절묘하게 조화시키며, 모론 백작부인의 저택이라는 폐쇄적 공간에서 과거와 현재가 충돌하는 드라마를 탁월하게 연출한다. 특히 탐정으로 밝혀지는 마이클 돈과의 관계가 만들어내는 복합적 긴장감이 이야기에 깊이를 더한다. 사회적 편견과 정의에 대한 날카로운 통찰이 돋보이는 수작이다.

Edgar Wallace's "The Strange Countess" brilliantly merges personal identity crisis with criminal investigation in a masterful early 20th-century mystery that keeps readers captivated throughout. The story of orphan Lois Reddle's dangerous quest to prove her imprisoned mother's innocence creates a compelling narrative that skillfully balances class ambition, family secrets, and romantic suspense. Wallace demonstrates exceptional talent in using the Countess of Moron's grand household as a confined stage where past and present collide dramatically. The complex relationship with Michael Dorn, revealed to be a detective, adds sophisticated layers of tension that elevate the story beyond typical mystery fiction. With its sharp insights into social prejudice and justice, this novel stands as an exemplary work that successfully combines thrilling suspense with meaningful social commentary.

인물정보

저자(글) 에드가 월러스(Edgar Wallace)

에드가 월러스(Edgar Wallace, 1875-1932)는 영국의 대표적인 추리소설 작가로, 20세기 초 가장 다작의 작가 중 한 명이었습니다. 그는 170여 편의 소설과 수많은 단편소설, 연극 대본을 썼으며, 특히 스릴러와 범죄소설 장르에서 큰 인기를 얻었습니다. 대표작으로는 《사괴도》(The Four Just Men) 시리즈와 《킹콩》의 원작 시나리오가 있습니다. 신문기자 출신인 그는 빠른 속도로 작품을 집필하는 것으로 유명했으며, 당시 영국에서 판매되는 책 4권 중 1권이 그의 작품일 정도로 엄청난 인기를 누렸습니다.

Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British author who became one of the most popular thriller and detective fiction writers of the early 20th century. He wrote over 170 novels, numerous short stories, and stage plays, establishing himself as a master of crime fiction and adventure stories. His most famous works include "The Four Just Men" series and the original story for "King Kong." A former journalist, Wallace was renowned for his incredible writing speed and productivity. At the height of his popularity, it was said that one in every four books sold in Britain was written by him, making him one of the best-selling authors of his time.