A review by beledit
The Cloven Foot by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

4.0

Although a vicious crime lies at the heart of this story, it is less sensational than some other Braddon novels. I enjoyed it none the less for this. There's an amoral French dancer, bigamy and crime, treachery and envy (trying to avoid spoilers). But essentially the novel is about marriage. Bad marriages entered into lightly with unsuitable partners, which quickly turn sour and become a misery for all involved, and end in disaster. Contrasted with solid marriages based on mutual interests and values, a similar social background, trust and loyalty.

The one thing I don't understand is the title, The Cloven Foot. It is clearly a reference to the devil. But if it is, is it purely a sensationalist title to sell more books? I can't see that any of the characters are being presented as devilish. Greedy, cheating and violent, yes, but not pure evil as one might associate with the devil.

The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable defines "To show the cloven foot, i.e. to show a knavish intention, a base motive." In this light, it's more understandable, as the possible - and possibly base - motives of at least three characters are explored.