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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation
slow-paced
Has dated quite poorly in some aspects, and a fairly central plot point doesn't entirely make sense, but still a gripping page-turner. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/the-limits-of-sensation/
A little long, but that is probably because I live in the 21st century, and nothing to do with the book. I wasn't expecting parts of tis book to be so funny. I real treat to read.
Told at a very leisurely pace, but I was just in the mood for that so I enjoyed this tremendously. Surprisingly funny in places. The gymnastics some of the characters go through to avoide degrading their Honor seems a bit ridiculous by modern standards, but the book was written in 1868 so maybe that was realistic for the time.
My first exposure to this story was through the PBS show Wishbone, and after reading the rather violent ending in the book which I did NOT remember at all from the show, I went back and skimmed the Wishbone episode on Youtube. They didn't change the story exactly, but they definitely misled by omission; the character in question just isn't seen again. I guess I can see why they'd want to leave the murder out of a kids' show about a talking dog.
My first exposure to this story was through the PBS show Wishbone, and after reading the rather violent ending in the book which I did NOT remember at all from the show, I went back and skimmed the Wishbone episode on Youtube. They didn't change the story exactly, but they definitely misled by omission; the character in question just isn't seen again. I guess I can see why they'd want to leave the murder out of a kids' show about a talking dog.
Just like the moonstone, my review of this book simply vanished!
I’ll try again, but I probably won’t like it as much:
First written in 1868 in serialized form, The Moonstone is considered by many to be the first English detective novel (although I am sure this claim has been disputed). Wilkie Collins perfected the art of shocking reveals and cliffhanger moments that kept his Victorian readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Because Collins’s writing was considered to be “sensationalism” and his intention was to entertain, The Moonstone (in my opinion) doesn’t get enough credit today, not being “literary” enough to be a classic.
First here’s something I didn’t like about the novel: the ending. I felt that the ending was convoluted and some elements were far-fetched, plus there were parts that dragged. JUST TELL ME WHERE THE MOONSTONE IS ALREADY!
The Moonstone tells the story of a huge but flawed diamond found (and stolen) by an English Colonel in India. Colonel John Herncastle leaves the diamond to his niece, Rachel Verinder, in his will (his intentions aren’t exactly altruistic). Rachel receives the moonstone on her 18th birthday and wears it proudly during her party in which many guests are in attendance. Predictably the diamond goes missing that night.
Now here’s what I LOVED about The Moonstone: the narrative voices. Collins chose to tell the story through alternating narrative voices, each voice having its own distinct personality and opinions, some of which bore no relevancy on the story but were highly entertaining. Additionally, the narrative voices provide subtle but biting critical commentary on Collins’s society. My favorite narrator by far was Gabriel Betteridge, the Robinson Crusoe-loving, loyal steward to Lady Verinder. Betteridge’s narrative was so entertaining to read! As the story moved along to each new narrator, new clues and details added depth to the mystery, before everything starts circling back to some seemingly insignificant details, and the loose threads start coming together.
I’ll try again, but I probably won’t like it as much:
First written in 1868 in serialized form, The Moonstone is considered by many to be the first English detective novel (although I am sure this claim has been disputed). Wilkie Collins perfected the art of shocking reveals and cliffhanger moments that kept his Victorian readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Because Collins’s writing was considered to be “sensationalism” and his intention was to entertain, The Moonstone (in my opinion) doesn’t get enough credit today, not being “literary” enough to be a classic.
First here’s something I didn’t like about the novel: the ending. I felt that the ending was convoluted and some elements were far-fetched, plus there were parts that dragged. JUST TELL ME WHERE THE MOONSTONE IS ALREADY!
The Moonstone tells the story of a huge but flawed diamond found (and stolen) by an English Colonel in India. Colonel John Herncastle leaves the diamond to his niece, Rachel Verinder, in his will (his intentions aren’t exactly altruistic). Rachel receives the moonstone on her 18th birthday and wears it proudly during her party in which many guests are in attendance. Predictably the diamond goes missing that night.
Now here’s what I LOVED about The Moonstone: the narrative voices. Collins chose to tell the story through alternating narrative voices, each voice having its own distinct personality and opinions, some of which bore no relevancy on the story but were highly entertaining. Additionally, the narrative voices provide subtle but biting critical commentary on Collins’s society. My favorite narrator by far was Gabriel Betteridge, the Robinson Crusoe-loving, loyal steward to Lady Verinder. Betteridge’s narrative was so entertaining to read! As the story moved along to each new narrator, new clues and details added depth to the mystery, before everything starts circling back to some seemingly insignificant details, and the loose threads start coming together.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Chronic illness
3.5 rounded up. Collins has a lot of fun with perspectives here, and there (probably) are enough clues that a contemporary reader could have figured it out. The modern reader should probably skip past the introduction (even on the audiobook!) if they don't want to learn the ending. Additionally, the Penguin Classics audiobook never says who's reading whom, which is truly annoying.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot