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daja57's review against another edition
5.0
Not the first time I have read this Victorian classic, often hailed as the first detective novel, but re-reading it means that I am reading having already known whodunnit and how; this in turn means that I can spot the hints dropped in the plot which make the solution of the mystery possible.
The Moonstone, a cursed diamond looted from India, is presented to Rachel Verinder on her birthday, but that same night it vanishes. The crime baffles the local police and a famous detective is called in to investigate. Add to this two young men seeking to marry Rachel and a maidservant with a criminal past who is hopelessly in love with a gentleman, and the strange behaviour of Rachel herself, and we develop an interesting mystery.
Sergeant Cuff, the detective, was probably based on the real-life Inspector Whicher, an early detective employed by the London Metropolitan Police, whose investigation into a murder at Road Hill House for which Constance Kent was subsequently found guilty also involved a nightdress. Sergeant Cuff's retirement to a cottage where he grows roses preceded the retirement of Hercule Poirot (who grows Vegetable Marrows) in Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, a brilliant novel which also shares a narrative device with The Moonstone. The relationship between the clever, but sometimes enigmatic, detective and the slow-witted butler who narrates much of The Moonstone is clearly the model for Sherlock Holmes and his narrator Watson, and for Poirot and Captain Hastings. The character of Gooseberry, the nimble-witted street urchin, in The Moonstone is clearly a model for the Baker Street Irregulars in the Sherlock Holmes books. And of course the local policeman is incompetent! Thus, this book pioneers many of the tropes of detective fiction.
It is told from multiple perspectives. One of the narrators is unreliable; I can't think of any novel previous to the Moonstone which uses this device. The first section is narrated by the steward, Mr Betteredge. He is a fussy old man with an amusing (and rather unPC) view on life; this narrative allows Collins to add humour, both laughing with Mr B and laughing at him: "On hearing those dreadful words, my daughter Penelope said she didn't know what prevented her heart from flying straight out of her. I thought privately that it might have been her stays." (Ch 3) The second section is narrated by Miss Clack, a poor relation of the family, whose genteel poverty have led her to become a proselytising Christian, forever handing out unwanted tracts and advice; Collins skilfully pokes fun at her naivete. Other narrators include a principal protagonist, a sinister-looking medical assistant, and a solicitor.
Collins employs subtle humour in his characterisations of the steward, Miss Clack and Mrs Merridew; these comic characters are far more skilfully drawn than the crude but compelling caricatures of Dickens.
The pacing is a little unusual. Most of the action occurs in the first half of the book and we discover the identity of the person who took the Moonstone from Rachel's bedroom with a full third of the book still to go; the last part is concerned principally with the mechanics of the plot and where the Moonstone is now. To my eyes, trained by modern mysteries, this gives the feeling that the narrative isn't quite balanced.
And of course Victorian prose can be a little long-winded at times.
But it is a classic and the characterisations and the real moments of humour, not to mention a baffling mystery, make it well worth a read.
The Moonstone, a cursed diamond looted from India, is presented to Rachel Verinder on her birthday, but that same night it vanishes. The crime baffles the local police and a famous detective is called in to investigate. Add to this two young men seeking to marry Rachel and a maidservant with a criminal past who is hopelessly in love with a gentleman, and the strange behaviour of Rachel herself, and we develop an interesting mystery.
Sergeant Cuff, the detective, was probably based on the real-life Inspector Whicher, an early detective employed by the London Metropolitan Police, whose investigation into a murder at Road Hill House for which Constance Kent was subsequently found guilty also involved a nightdress. Sergeant Cuff's retirement to a cottage where he grows roses preceded the retirement of Hercule Poirot (who grows Vegetable Marrows) in Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, a brilliant novel which also shares a narrative device with The Moonstone. The relationship between the clever, but sometimes enigmatic, detective and the slow-witted butler who narrates much of The Moonstone is clearly the model for Sherlock Holmes and his narrator Watson, and for Poirot and Captain Hastings. The character of Gooseberry, the nimble-witted street urchin, in The Moonstone is clearly a model for the Baker Street Irregulars in the Sherlock Holmes books. And of course the local policeman is incompetent! Thus, this book pioneers many of the tropes of detective fiction.
It is told from multiple perspectives. One of the narrators is unreliable; I can't think of any novel previous to the Moonstone which uses this device. The first section is narrated by the steward, Mr Betteredge. He is a fussy old man with an amusing (and rather unPC) view on life; this narrative allows Collins to add humour, both laughing with Mr B and laughing at him: "On hearing those dreadful words, my daughter Penelope said she didn't know what prevented her heart from flying straight out of her. I thought privately that it might have been her stays." (Ch 3) The second section is narrated by Miss Clack, a poor relation of the family, whose genteel poverty have led her to become a proselytising Christian, forever handing out unwanted tracts and advice; Collins skilfully pokes fun at her naivete. Other narrators include a principal protagonist, a sinister-looking medical assistant, and a solicitor.
Collins employs subtle humour in his characterisations of the steward, Miss Clack and Mrs Merridew; these comic characters are far more skilfully drawn than the crude but compelling caricatures of Dickens.
The pacing is a little unusual. Most of the action occurs in the first half of the book and we discover the identity of the person who took the Moonstone from Rachel's bedroom with a full third of the book still to go; the last part is concerned principally with the mechanics of the plot and where the Moonstone is now. To my eyes, trained by modern mysteries, this gives the feeling that the narrative isn't quite balanced.
And of course Victorian prose can be a little long-winded at times.
But it is a classic and the characterisations and the real moments of humour, not to mention a baffling mystery, make it well worth a read.
mollyl810's review against another edition
4.0
Another one of Collins’ books that made me gasp and laugh out loud multiple times!
Although the serial structure of the novel wasn’t that new to me (after The Woman in White last month) it was still enjoyable and a refreshing change to most of the novels (that I have read) written around the same time.
Loses a star because of Miss Clack’s narrative
Although the serial structure of the novel wasn’t that new to me (after The Woman in White last month) it was still enjoyable and a refreshing change to most of the novels (that I have read) written around the same time.
Loses a star because of Miss Clack’s narrative
tibbarasden's review against another edition
If you enjoy detective type novels you with probably like this one. It was just too dense for me and the slow paced didn't have me very invested when I am already not a huge detective novel fan. I did enjoy the humor and characters.
dunnadam's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for a book club and I’m glad I did. The book gives a good counter-point to other Victorian books of the period such as Dickens or even Melville on the American side. The story is more relatable today, easier to read, and although there is a lull in the middle it is a smaller lull and less of a wade than many books of the period.
The book really excels in the first half with the straight-talking butler Betteredge dispensing advice and relating the facts so far in his ever practical way:
“I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a wife. See that she chews her food well and sets her foot down firmly on the ground when she walks, and you’re all right.”
“If I had been younger, I might have confessed as much to Mr. Franklin. But when you are old, you acquire one excellent habit. In cases where you don’t see your way clearly, you hold your tongue.”
In this first half of the book, Betteredge’s narrative, we meet the renowned Sargent Cuff and the story clips along until Cuff is stopped by propriety. That pissed me off. The Inspector can’t conduct his investigation further as the wilting flower of a woman of the house is distraught. How Victorian and how ridiculous. With this Cuff departs and the book limps along to other narrators although not much really happens until Cuff returns at the end. A small worthy side-note is the ever meddling Mrs. Clack who leaves her religious pamphlets everywhere in the hopes of saving souls. The humour here is great and could have been taken up even another level.
Nothing much of note to report until Cuff comes back and the mystery is solved in about the last five percent of the book. Another piss off here as Cuff this time writes the culprit’s name on a piece of paper and leaves it in a sealed envelope until the case is fully resolved. It seems Victorian police-work involves some cloak and dagger? Really I saw no reason for this. Out with it man! I suppose it proves Cuff’s brilliance to the reader.
Other Victorian books I have had to consult reading guides, this one I didn’t. I did reference a list of characters I think twice but the book is still written in modern enough English that most should be able to follow unaided. A worthy addition to my list of Victorian Literature. Might have gotten five stars but the lull in the middle was noticeable.
The book really excels in the first half with the straight-talking butler Betteredge dispensing advice and relating the facts so far in his ever practical way:
“I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a wife. See that she chews her food well and sets her foot down firmly on the ground when she walks, and you’re all right.”
“If I had been younger, I might have confessed as much to Mr. Franklin. But when you are old, you acquire one excellent habit. In cases where you don’t see your way clearly, you hold your tongue.”
In this first half of the book, Betteredge’s narrative, we meet the renowned Sargent Cuff and the story clips along until Cuff is stopped by propriety. That pissed me off. The Inspector can’t conduct his investigation further as the wilting flower of a woman of the house is distraught. How Victorian and how ridiculous. With this Cuff departs and the book limps along to other narrators although not much really happens until Cuff returns at the end. A small worthy side-note is the ever meddling Mrs. Clack who leaves her religious pamphlets everywhere in the hopes of saving souls. The humour here is great and could have been taken up even another level.
Nothing much of note to report until Cuff comes back and the mystery is solved in about the last five percent of the book. Another piss off here as Cuff this time writes the culprit’s name on a piece of paper and leaves it in a sealed envelope until the case is fully resolved. It seems Victorian police-work involves some cloak and dagger? Really I saw no reason for this. Out with it man! I suppose it proves Cuff’s brilliance to the reader.
Other Victorian books I have had to consult reading guides, this one I didn’t. I did reference a list of characters I think twice but the book is still written in modern enough English that most should be able to follow unaided. A worthy addition to my list of Victorian Literature. Might have gotten five stars but the lull in the middle was noticeable.
isethia's review against another edition
It just wasn't what I was in the mood for.
backpackfullofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
neaddean's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
birdiesreads's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, endearing characters that were occasionally, surprisingly funny. A good little mystery but I was more interested in the story telling and the characters than who did it. 4.5 stars
kstephensreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so much fun. Great twists and turns and characters that made me laugh out loud. I’ll never look at Robinson Crusoe the same way again.