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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Possibly 3.5/5
This book was interesting as it was both well written and oftentimes funny, but also fairly boring. Following the mysterious disappearance of the Moonstone, we are told what happened through the lenses of several interesting parties. These perspectives were oftentimes heartwarming, funny, and nearly every time charming, but the story itself still dragged on quite a bit. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were not quite so long. Regardless, all my love to Mr. Betteredge and his Robinson Crusoe. <3
This book was interesting as it was both well written and oftentimes funny, but also fairly boring. Following the mysterious disappearance of the Moonstone, we are told what happened through the lenses of several interesting parties. These perspectives were oftentimes heartwarming, funny, and nearly every time charming, but the story itself still dragged on quite a bit. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were not quite so long. Regardless, all my love to Mr. Betteredge and his Robinson Crusoe. <3
I've now read two novels by Wilkie Collins and greatly enjoyed them both. This one employs the shift in character perspectives that I've grown to greatly enjoy, and the plot does not always go where I think it would.
And Betteredge might be one of my favorite characters, ever.
And Betteredge might be one of my favorite characters, ever.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
A delightful read. I love the way Wilkie Collins tells stories and I enjoyed reading the different narratives from the perspectives of various characters.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 for one main reason. I recently read The Woman in White (another of his books) and it instantly became one of my top 5 favorite books; thus, my bar for this one was set high. I liked it very much but not quite as much as TWIW, therefore it has one less star.
That said, I had recently watched a television adaptation of The Moonstone and knew the ending already when I read this one, which also affected my reading experience a bit. I suspect that if I read it again in a year or two, I may rate it higher then.
The 2016 BBC adaptation is worth watching; just read the book first to avoid spoiling the ending. :)
I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 for one main reason. I recently read The Woman in White (another of his books) and it instantly became one of my top 5 favorite books; thus, my bar for this one was set high. I liked it very much but not quite as much as TWIW, therefore it has one less star.
That said, I had recently watched a television adaptation of The Moonstone and knew the ending already when I read this one, which also affected my reading experience a bit. I suspect that if I read it again in a year or two, I may rate it higher then.
The 2016 BBC adaptation is worth watching; just read the book first to avoid spoiling the ending. :)
I remember The Woman in White being enjoyable but pretty humorless, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much this book relied on comedy--I'm especially partial to Miss Clack, who's utterly unbearable, in the best way possible. Still, it's very clear that this is an *early* detective novel, because the twists and turns aren't particularly twisty or turny--we guessed the culprit and his motive a million years before he was revealed. Also (sorry--spoilers!) it's a little strange that the solution to the mystery hinges on a hilarious "harmless joke" that involves secretly giving someone a significant dose of opium...oh those Victorians! Such pranksters!
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.5 stars - while it had some brilliant moments and I do enjoy Wilkie Collins’ writing, the book was just disjointed and a bit all over the place for me.
Multiple narrators that challenged my theories by being biased, opinionated and thoroughly unreliable. The plot moved smoothly when jumping between narrators, and gave the reader a encompassing view of the theft of the Moonstone. I must admit that I was disappointed in the big reveal as I had developed some fairly wild theories but I can recognise how the tale would have delighted and mystified the Victorian audience.
This book needed an editor. I seriously wondered if it would ever end. But it was a great story and I am glad I read this early mystery.
Very good! The parts by Betteridge and Mr. Blake were by far the best, the two others were a bit slow, but the others were great!