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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Very enjoyable. Often mentioned Robinson Crusoe? I found its depiction of Indian people despicable and very ethnocentric. I enjoyed the epistolary aspect of the book—made the mystery more genuine. Other than feminine propriety and racism, this novel is timeless, which I find odd. Not very compelling in any way, I think this may be the start of "fun" literature—probably only considered a classic due to age.
We had our breakfasts - whatever happens in a house, robbery or murder, it doesn't matter, you must have your breakfast.
Thus began an entire genre. I loved [b:The Woman in White|5890|The Woman in White|Wilkie Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1295661017s/5890.jpg|1303710] a number of years ago, and was also fully enthralled by The Moonstone. It's regarded as the first English detective novel, and it's such a good, fat, satisfying read. The excitement of a really great Victorian sensation novel - a missing diamond, huge dollops of Orientalism, an illicit affair, opium, quicksand - and some quite modern plot devices, in particular the skillful use of multiple narrators. Faithful old family servant Gabriel Betteredge is a treat, and I was sad when his section was done, but the ensuing Miss Clack was hilarious and had me re-reading her bon mots aloud. What a delightful book.
Thus began an entire genre. I loved [b:The Woman in White|5890|The Woman in White|Wilkie Collins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1295661017s/5890.jpg|1303710] a number of years ago, and was also fully enthralled by The Moonstone. It's regarded as the first English detective novel, and it's such a good, fat, satisfying read. The excitement of a really great Victorian sensation novel - a missing diamond, huge dollops of Orientalism, an illicit affair, opium, quicksand - and some quite modern plot devices, in particular the skillful use of multiple narrators. Faithful old family servant Gabriel Betteredge is a treat, and I was sad when his section was done, but the ensuing Miss Clack was hilarious and had me re-reading her bon mots aloud. What a delightful book.
I loved everything about this book. Widely considered the first English detective novel, The Moonstone is a well crafted and perfectly written mystery.
The book is made up of several narratives, with different people writing about the events they were part of surrounding the stolen Moonstone. I was skeptical that this would be something I enjoyed, but I was instantly proven wrong. All the parts were great, but the character of Betteredge (who writes the first narrative) was my favourite.
I didnt find the twists and turns predictable, but then I managed not to try and work it out and let the story unfold as I read. There were a few jaw-dropping moments!
This is the perfect cosy mystery, and I was always in the mood to read a bit more - I'm a bit sad that I've finished it. I can see where Agatha Christie got her inspiration from, and I'd love Seargeant Cuff to have is own series
The book is made up of several narratives, with different people writing about the events they were part of surrounding the stolen Moonstone. I was skeptical that this would be something I enjoyed, but I was instantly proven wrong. All the parts were great, but the character of Betteredge (who writes the first narrative) was my favourite.
I didnt find the twists and turns predictable, but then I managed not to try and work it out and let the story unfold as I read. There were a few jaw-dropping moments!
This is the perfect cosy mystery, and I was always in the mood to read a bit more - I'm a bit sad that I've finished it. I can see where Agatha Christie got her inspiration from, and I'd love Seargeant Cuff to have is own series
3.5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this mystery story! There are quite a few different narratives & some of them are very distinctive. I particularly loved Miss Clack’s narrative. I was laughing during most of it. The only reason this wasn’t rated higher is because it was slow in a few parts. I also guessed the thief of the moonstone about halfway through, though I was questioning myself a few times. Overall, I prefer The Woman in White, but this was still a really great book!
I really enjoyed this mystery story! There are quite a few different narratives & some of them are very distinctive. I particularly loved Miss Clack’s narrative. I was laughing during most of it. The only reason this wasn’t rated higher is because it was slow in a few parts. I also guessed the thief of the moonstone about halfway through, though I was questioning myself a few times. Overall, I prefer The Woman in White, but this was still a really great book!
I recently read Machen's Great God Pan and Blackwood's the Willows and excused their stuffy tone with the years they were written. I shouldn't have—I don't know why I've held such a low opinion of pre-1920's writing. This book was glorious, fun to read, fun to revel in every description and character, and ripped through the image of stuffy unrelatability I've always associated with Victorian writing. I think this is the most involved and entertained I've been by a B&N Classic.
Honest to god I do not know how Mr Wilkie Collins can capture me in a novel the way he does. This book was gorgeous, maybe not as good as the woman in white, but brilliant in all different ways. And honestly, the last page made me thank Wilkie collins earnestly with the way he ended it. God
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warnings: colonialism, drug use/addiction, death, suicide, racism, racial slurs, murder.
14/6/2022
On this reread, I'm bumping this up to a full 5 stars because it's just. so. much. fun. The characters are great. The mystery is fun. It's actually surprisingly sympathetic to the three Indians who come looking for the Moonstone. All in all? I'm really glad I reread this. And I also watched the BBC miniseries I wanted four years ago and it was pretty stinking great.
21/7/2018
4 stars.
Okay so apparently don't mark rereads as finished on the new Android app because IT WILL WIPE YOUR ENTIRE REVIEW. Seriously, I had reviews here from 2017 and 2013 and now they're gone forever. Thanks a lot, Goodreads.
Anyway.
I first read this book back in the early 2000s. After reading and loving The Woman in White for an English class in first year uni, I basically went through every Wilkie Collins book that my university library had because I'm trash. And I continue to love this story and the way that it's told to this day. Thanks to the narratives of Betteredge and Miss Clack, it's full of sly humour and just plain ridiculous moments. It's also full of mystery, romance, and tragedy and it does a great job at representing what life was like for both the rich and their servants in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Is the overall whodunnit beyond ridiculous? Uh, yes. It's called Sensation Fiction for a reason. But is it an absolute joy from start to finish? Also yes.
In summary: read it. Also if the BBC would like to produce a glorious multi-episode miniseries of it, that would be delightful.
14/6/2022
On this reread, I'm bumping this up to a full 5 stars because it's just. so. much. fun. The characters are great. The mystery is fun. It's actually surprisingly sympathetic to the three Indians who come looking for the Moonstone. All in all? I'm really glad I reread this. And I also watched the BBC miniseries I wanted four years ago and it was pretty stinking great.
21/7/2018
4 stars.
Okay so apparently don't mark rereads as finished on the new Android app because IT WILL WIPE YOUR ENTIRE REVIEW. Seriously, I had reviews here from 2017 and 2013 and now they're gone forever. Thanks a lot, Goodreads.
Anyway.
I first read this book back in the early 2000s. After reading and loving The Woman in White for an English class in first year uni, I basically went through every Wilkie Collins book that my university library had because I'm trash. And I continue to love this story and the way that it's told to this day. Thanks to the narratives of Betteredge and Miss Clack, it's full of sly humour and just plain ridiculous moments. It's also full of mystery, romance, and tragedy and it does a great job at representing what life was like for both the rich and their servants in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Is the overall whodunnit beyond ridiculous? Uh, yes. It's called Sensation Fiction for a reason. But is it an absolute joy from start to finish? Also yes.
In summary: read it. Also if the BBC would like to produce a glorious multi-episode miniseries of it, that would be delightful.
A little slow for the first third (aka Mr. Betteredge's narration) but it does have some interesting twists. Definitely a product of its time and interesting mostly for its contributions to the mystery genre.
One of the first Victorian detective novels. Well-written with several exciting twists. Told through a series of narrators who each give their own perspectives on events and contribute separate clues which come together to solve the mystery.