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lizzelovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I wrestled with what to give this book for many reasons, and finally landed on 3.75⭐️s.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
First and foremost, being the typecast racism of the 'villains'. With a modern eye it is hard to see the three Indians as anything other than countrymen seeking a violent process of cultural restoration, at a great cost to themselves.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Chronic illness
midorukawa's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
usnebojemesa's review against another edition
4.0
Finally finished this beast of a book. It was recommended by our lit professor in college as one of the first thriller/mystery novels. Betteredge's narrative truly annoyed me but besides that, the novel was very dynamic with its shitfting narrative and a easy read.
zoefruitcake's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly full of humour and very entertaining if rather long
talieda's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thayerbowen's review against another edition
3.75
This book covers conflicts between British people and people from India and was written around 1850 so be warned. I think overall he is actually less offensive than I thought but I expected terrible terrible stuff. He most definitely illustrates British people being awful in their attitudes.
In the end the moonstone is recovered and returned to where it belongs but only through a lot of effort on the part of the people from India who did all the work and took all the risk against the “best” efforts of the British.
It’s fun to see how forensic science has changed and how things are handled very different in modern mysteries.
I forgot: a doctor slips opium in someone’s food because the person offended him!!! What?!?!
It’s fun to see how forensic science has changed and how things are handled very different in modern mysteries.
amus34's review against another edition
1.0
I only got a third of the way through this book because it was so incredibly boring. Maybe I'll try again someday.
airthiel's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mirrorofneptune's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Looks like I’m an outlier but this just wasn’t the book for me. I enjoyed the multiple-POV narrative style of The Woman in White, but I thought it was less effective and less engaging here. With the exception of Cuff, I didn’t like any of the characters; I didn’t find the mystery super compelling, even though it involved a giant diamond; and I felt disappointed with the resolution of the plot. I really liked The Woman in White so I’m a little surprised that this one was so much less gripping (for me, anyway). I’m glad everyone else seems to be enjoying it more…
connell98's review against another edition
4.0
I liked The Woman in White more, but this is still a good one!