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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
Loveable characters:
Yes
I can't believe I've escaped this long without 1. reading the moonstone 2. watching some sort of adaptation of it.
Well, I'm glad I had no idea what the outcome of the plot was. Much like the film Psycho the beauty of the book is in its many twists and turns. As one of the first detective novels ever written, it hasn't lost its suspense and I still found the story compelling and puzzling.
Different sections of the book are written from the viewpoint of different witnesses. I felt that some of these viewpoints were more successful than others. Miss Clack and Mr Betteredge both have a very distinct voice, whereas I felt the other character's views were weaker and lacking in depth and distinctiveness.
The book was enjoyable, fairly gripping but in my mind, not a masterpiece of literature.
Well, I'm glad I had no idea what the outcome of the plot was. Much like the film Psycho the beauty of the book is in its many twists and turns. As one of the first detective novels ever written, it hasn't lost its suspense and I still found the story compelling and puzzling.
Different sections of the book are written from the viewpoint of different witnesses. I felt that some of these viewpoints were more successful than others. Miss Clack and Mr Betteredge both have a very distinct voice, whereas I felt the other character's views were weaker and lacking in depth and distinctiveness.
The book was enjoyable, fairly gripping but in my mind, not a masterpiece of literature.
I wasn't too sure of this one to begin with, but once it got going, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Like [b:The Woman in White|5890|The Woman in White|Wilkie Collins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1295661017l/5890._SY75_.jpg|1303710], this one switches POV and re-tells parts of the story from other people's perspective, through a series of written documents (letters, diaries and such) by several characters involved (albeit obliquely at times) with the central mystery. It's well done, and well plotted, and if the "twist" is a little far-reaching, it's no more so than I've seen in many other whodunnits from the past couple of centuries.
Probably only 3 1/2 stars, but I'm feeling generous so rounding up.
Probably only 3 1/2 stars, but I'm feeling generous so rounding up.
This is one of the books that taught me there was more to the world of literature than just science fiction. I have no idea why I picked up this book, but once I did I was unable to put it down. It's one of the books I read aloud to Deb.
I started reading this as I thought it was a book I should read. I've read detective fiction since I was a child. And this stands as the first well known exhibit of that genre. I didn't expect it to be as gripping as it was. By the last quarter of the book I was delaying things, including going to work, just so I could read another few pages. And I was looking forward to being able to get back to the story later. A great sign.
It is a nicely written narrative using a first person perspective, but with different first persons throughout depending on who was present when certain pieces of the story happened. And each of those persons had a different style, and a different tone. I thought it worked well.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Rather sorry to have finished it.
It is a nicely written narrative using a first person perspective, but with different first persons throughout depending on who was present when certain pieces of the story happened. And each of those persons had a different style, and a different tone. I thought it worked well.
Thoroughly enjoyable. Rather sorry to have finished it.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
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
The storyline and the mystery of this book were actually quite good, but it was far too long and took commitment to finish.
A sweeping saga that inspired a genre. Much like The Lord of the Rings, it is a bit messy in places, slow at times and often aimless. But the time spent getting to know the characters pays off again and again in the delightful, unforced, and authentic humor, the credible romance (I don't think I've ever shipped a couple so hard), and the most heartbreaking moments I've read in a mystery.
Well, because it's not really a mystery in the same way LotR isn't really fantasy. Later works simplified and codified the formula but to me this is first and foremost a story of how crimes inherently punish the criminal and how to overcome adversity.
I laughed out loud, and I cried twice - though it may be partly due to Phoebe Judge's delivery, she read the book aloud on her podcast. There's an episode of Star Trek TNG called Lower Decks, which follows the story of minor characters and where the protagonists only appear in the background. The Moonstone reminded me of the power of that technique and of showing the perspective of the people who are watching the protagonists come in and out of their lives. Well, I have seen a little sunshine, I have had a happy time.
Well, because it's not really a mystery in the same way LotR isn't really fantasy. Later works simplified and codified the formula but to me this is first and foremost a story of how crimes inherently punish the criminal and how to overcome adversity.
I laughed out loud, and I cried twice - though it may be partly due to Phoebe Judge's delivery, she read the book aloud on her podcast. There's an episode of Star Trek TNG called Lower Decks, which follows the story of minor characters and where the protagonists only appear in the background. The Moonstone reminded me of the power of that technique and of showing the perspective of the people who are watching the protagonists come in and out of their lives. Well, I have seen a little sunshine, I have had a happy time.
The Moonstone is lauded as the first detective novel, and it certainly succeeds in containing a compelling mystery which unusually doesn't directly revolve around a death.
The first half or so of the story, told by narrative characters Gabriel Betteredge and Drusilla Clack could best be described as rambling. The mystery unfolds, but slowly.
The second half of the story, told with more frequent changes of narrator, has a faster pace and a tighter style. By this point we, as the reader, are invested in the mystery, and can't wait to see it unfold.
The Moonstone, due to its age has some other interesting reflections to throw on the wya our current society has evolved.
Firstly it's filled with racist/ableist slurs, frequently the 'villains' are referred to as "the three Hindoos" or the "three Indians" and described on that basis alone as "scoundrels" and "murderers". The accused Rosanna Spearmen is looked down upon because of her "appearance", with referral to some kind of disfigurement, she has a friend known as "limping Lucy", and the child "Gooseberry" is known as such because of his eyes which roll in their sockets, in a way which to me recalls nystagmus.
Secondly the central plot of the book revolves around the recovery of the moonstone which was stolen from India by the Imperial regime, in a way which I found highlighted to me more because of more recently looking into the lasting effects of colonialism on people today. I know that for a large chunk of my time reading I was rooting for the moonstone to be returned not to Rachel Verinder but to it's home in India.
The first half or so of the story, told by narrative characters Gabriel Betteredge and Drusilla Clack could best be described as rambling. The mystery unfolds, but slowly.
The second half of the story, told with more frequent changes of narrator, has a faster pace and a tighter style. By this point we, as the reader, are invested in the mystery, and can't wait to see it unfold.
The Moonstone, due to its age has some other interesting reflections to throw on the wya our current society has evolved.
Firstly it's filled with racist/ableist slurs, frequently the 'villains' are referred to as "the three Hindoos" or the "three Indians" and described on that basis alone as "scoundrels" and "murderers". The accused Rosanna Spearmen is looked down upon because of her "appearance", with referral to some kind of disfigurement, she has a friend known as "limping Lucy", and the child "Gooseberry" is known as such because of his eyes which roll in their sockets, in a way which to me recalls nystagmus.
Secondly the central plot of the book revolves around the recovery of the moonstone which was stolen from India by the Imperial regime, in a way which I found highlighted to me more because of more recently looking into the lasting effects of colonialism on people today. I know that for a large chunk of my time reading I was rooting for the moonstone to be returned not to Rachel Verinder but to it's home in India.