"Vera" by Elizabeth Von Arnim may be a work of fiction, but it's deeply rooted in the novelist's personal life. Based on her unsuccessful second marriage, the book follows the titular character as love turns into a nightmare when she finds herself married to a narcissistic man. A stylistic combination of Bronte and Austen, this book is a tragic story that will tug at the heartstrings of readers for years to come.

Elizabeth von Arnim, born Mary Annette Beauchamp on August 31, 1866, in Sydney, Australia, was a distinguished British novelist. She was part of the literary elite and is best known for her semi-autobiographical works, satirical novels, and romantic comedies, which often explored the themes of love, marriage, and the position of women in society. She married Count Henning August von Arnim-Schlagenthin in 1891, adopting the German style of her title and gaining continental influences that would flavor her writing. After her first marriage ended, she later married the aristocratic Francis Russell, 2nd Earl Russell, the brother of philosopher Bertrand Russell, but this marriage was also fraught with difficulties (Usborne, 2010).

Von Arnim achieved significant critical and commercial success with her novels, which were marked by their witty narrative voice and piercing insight into domestic life. 'Vera' (1921), one of her later and darker works, is often deemed a poignant, psychological novel that delves into the nuances of an oppressive marriage, reflecting von Arnim's own experiences and a departure from her typically light-hearted oeuvre. Her first novel, 'Elizabeth and Her German Garden' (1898), was an immediate success and established her as a notable writer for her charming and humorous critique of social norms. Positively received by readers and critics alike, von Arnim continued to write prolifically, producing over 20 books throughout a flourishing career. She passed away on February 9, 1941, leaving behind a legacy of novels that continue to captivate and provoke contemplation on the human condition (Sanford, 2012).