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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have to say, I was actually pretty impressed with this book. I read The Woman in White by the same author and I much prefer this one to that.
Heralded by many as one of the best detective novels and a pioneer that arguably shaped the genre, this book is about a diamond originated from India called the Moonstone. Gained by terrible means in the hands of a Brit, it eventually fell into the hands of an unsuspecting 18-year-old woman who inherited it. But because of its religious significance in India, three Hindoo priests have dedicated thier lives to recovering it. What follows is the loss of the diamond and two detectives (an amateur and a professional) following the trail of the thefts.
While the plot sounds exciting, I was more impressed with how Collins peeled the mystery layer by layer before he revealed to us what actually went down and all the while tricking us to suspect everybody. I was even more impressed with the quirkiness of some of the characters that brought some comic reliefs to the otherwise pretty serious read, the inclusion of disabled people in the story and the mention of biased treatment of people who are physically ugly. I swear, the book has everything!
Now, I could only give this particular edition a 4.5 star though, because it included an introduction I didn't care for and edited out the epilogue (luckily I Googled to find out more about the story, because I was rather satisfied after finishing the book).
Heralded by many as one of the best detective novels and a pioneer that arguably shaped the genre, this book is about a diamond originated from India called the Moonstone. Gained by terrible means in the hands of a Brit, it eventually fell into the hands of an unsuspecting 18-year-old woman who inherited it. But because of its religious significance in India, three Hindoo priests have dedicated thier lives to recovering it. What follows is the loss of the diamond and two detectives (an amateur and a professional) following the trail of the thefts.
While the plot sounds exciting, I was more impressed with how Collins peeled the mystery layer by layer before he revealed to us what actually went down and all the while tricking us to suspect everybody. I was even more impressed with the quirkiness of some of the characters that brought some comic reliefs to the otherwise pretty serious read, the inclusion of disabled people in the story and the mention of biased treatment of people who are physically ugly. I swear, the book has everything!
Now, I could only give this particular edition a 4.5 star though, because it included an introduction I didn't care for and edited out the epilogue (luckily I Googled to find out more about the story, because I was rather satisfied after finishing the book).
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Given that this was written literally in the 19th century, there are turns of phrase, ways of describing characters that grates on me, but it was an overall compelling tale.
Absolutely delightful. The paragon of detective novels; funny, thrilling, and deliberate. I didn't think anything could touch "The Woman in White" for character development but once I got a peek at Gabriel Betteredge and the amazing Drusilla Clack, I was sold.
I agree with David that the ending is superbly satisfying and touches on something that is not only epic, but fairly unusual for its time insofar as its sympathy toward India.
A page turner until the very last. If Wilkie Collins weren't long dead, I'd court him with a vengeance.
I agree with David that the ending is superbly satisfying and touches on something that is not only epic, but fairly unusual for its time insofar as its sympathy toward India.
A page turner until the very last. If Wilkie Collins weren't long dead, I'd court him with a vengeance.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No