The Mistress of Hurstwell Grange

Authentic Victorian revenge cycle: wealthy, privileged author brought up, educated by strict nurses, governesses, cane-wielding teachers, male and female, in England, suffers rough attentions of classmates too. His University landlady takes control, is soon his wife, scandalises family, disgraces him, takes estate, wealth, possessions, life: acquires lover, forces him to watch her cuckold him, ships him off to far Cathay. In China sold at public auction into slavery, becomes toy of Empress, shown terrible tortures, used by ladies of court every way possible, most painful. When they've no further use for him, he's transformed into a women, slips to be common bath-house attendant, then being freed by a military expedition. Prospers on return to England, opens bawdy house, learns news from ancestral estate. Corrupts her son with opium, arranges her trial, disgrace and hanging, after well-deserved flogging on front cover.