Under False Pretences: A Novel

** "Under False Pretences: A Novel" by Adeline Sergeant is a 19th-century tale that follows Edward Luttrell and his wife, Margaret, as they relocate to Italy with their children, only to find their lives thrown into turmoil by a devastating illness and an error in identity. Following the birth of their second child, Brian, a happy family life quickly crumbles as Margaret, struggling with a fever, mistakenly believes her own baby is not hers, but the illegitimate child of their nurse, Vincenza. This critical misjudgment sparks a series of events that lead to questions around identity, a mother's instincts, and the severe consequences of false beliefs, compelling its audience to ponder the complex moral and psychological struggles of the characters. **