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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was actually a better read than I was expecting. And that is mostly due to the fact that I am not usually a fan of mystery novels. But this is no ordinary crime novel. This particular book set the mould for many mystery novels to come. And it is easy to see why. It was published in book form around 1868, which makes it the first full-length detective novel in the English language. Prior to it's book format, it was published as a serial in Charles Dickens' magazine "All Year Round" to glowing critical reviews. (In fact, Wilkie Collins and Charles Dickens held each other in a friendly rivalry. Although, it is my understanding that this went sour in later years.) It's the story follows the mystery of the Moonstone, a large yellow diamond from india. It is given to Lady Verrinder on her 18th birthday, and then goes promptly missing...
Anyway, the criticism is well founded because the story still holds up as entertaining even now. One of the ways it does this, in my opinion, is it's epistolary format. We are presented the story through a series of journal entries and letters of different characters. The plot is revealed piecemeal and other later entries fill in the gaps of previous ones while revealing more gaps. Sometimes, the stories overlap and we get the same situation from a different point of view. The different characters that contribute to the narrative are all quite distinct from each other, giving each piece of the narrative it's own unique feel. And they were all quite likeable enough to illicit chuckles from me while I was reading. It was a well constructed literary conceit that emphasised the idea of looking for clues. The book is also credited with introducing tropes that have become common in modern mysteries. (I will let you notice these for yourself to avoid revealing spoilers.)
The is also a first in the way that servants and servitude is presented, along with the role of women in society. Wilkie Collins also meant for the book to present his enlightened position, and this comes out in narrative where servants and women play a large role. Without revealing too much, the solving of the mystery does become a group effort and they are given an equal voice in the matter and are actively relied on to help solve the mystery.
All in all, despite the Victorian English setting, the book has aged very well! I was thoroughly entertained by the story and didn't anticipate many of the twists the plot. Highly recommended!
Anyway, the criticism is well founded because the story still holds up as entertaining even now. One of the ways it does this, in my opinion, is it's epistolary format. We are presented the story through a series of journal entries and letters of different characters. The plot is revealed piecemeal and other later entries fill in the gaps of previous ones while revealing more gaps. Sometimes, the stories overlap and we get the same situation from a different point of view. The different characters that contribute to the narrative are all quite distinct from each other, giving each piece of the narrative it's own unique feel. And they were all quite likeable enough to illicit chuckles from me while I was reading. It was a well constructed literary conceit that emphasised the idea of looking for clues. The book is also credited with introducing tropes that have become common in modern mysteries. (I will let you notice these for yourself to avoid revealing spoilers.)
The is also a first in the way that servants and servitude is presented, along with the role of women in society. Wilkie Collins also meant for the book to present his enlightened position, and this comes out in narrative where servants and women play a large role. Without revealing too much, the solving of the mystery does become a group effort and they are given an equal voice in the matter and are actively relied on to help solve the mystery.
All in all, despite the Victorian English setting, the book has aged very well! I was thoroughly entertained by the story and didn't anticipate many of the twists the plot. Highly recommended!
I got bored. I don't doubt it is a classic for a reason, but at the time I started it it felt like a waffly old lecture and utterly impenetrable. I was listening to it on audiobook, so perhaps the narration had something to do with that.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-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
I selected this for one of the advanced prompts in the 2017 PopSugar Ultimate Reading Challenge (A book that's been mentioned in another book). Plus, it's another one of those classics that I somehow never read. As an avid mystery reader, it's one of those books that should be required reading for any fan of the genre. Originally published in 1868, this classic is considered the first modern English detective novel. The story is presented as a series of statements from various characters, each one providing vital insights to the plot. It focuses on elements of Victorian England not normally addressed, presenting a unique social portrait of the times in which it was written. The intrigue surrounding a stolen jewel, a foreign menace, and a violent death are just as captivating to a contemporary reader as it must have been at the time it was first published.
The 1984 edition I read included the original 1868 preface, the preface from the revised 1871 edition, and an introduction written by and bibliography compiled by NYU Professor of English Frederick Karl. Despite having been written nearly 150 years ago, I did not feel that the writing style was stuck in the 1860s. Instead, it read like an historical fiction novel that could have been written in modern times. Despite its readability, it did take me longer than expected to finish this one, so this was probably closer to a 3.5-star rating for me, but I think it was more due to the timing of when I read it and the fact I was trying to read/finish several books at the same time. I normally read more than one at a time, but I didn't have the right balance this time.
The 1984 edition I read included the original 1868 preface, the preface from the revised 1871 edition, and an introduction written by and bibliography compiled by NYU Professor of English Frederick Karl. Despite having been written nearly 150 years ago, I did not feel that the writing style was stuck in the 1860s. Instead, it read like an historical fiction novel that could have been written in modern times. Despite its readability, it did take me longer than expected to finish this one, so this was probably closer to a 3.5-star rating for me, but I think it was more due to the timing of when I read it and the fact I was trying to read/finish several books at the same time. I normally read more than one at a time, but I didn't have the right balance this time.
Замечательная стилизация.
Супер-простая история рассказанная необычайно вычурно ее героями - светсткой дамой, дворецким, детективом и так далее.
Изумляет необычайное устройство английского общества того времени. Это сочетание возможности с одной стороны к самым низким поступкам, а с другой совершенная невозможность поступков простив определенных понятий о чести. Вызывает улыбку как самые простые бытовые мелочи облекаются в выспренную форму. И множество светских условностей, а также правил взаимоотношения слуг и господ, которых тщательно придерживаются герои.
Собственно сюжет совершенно не важен, хотя он вполне имеется.
Супер-простая история рассказанная необычайно вычурно ее героями - светсткой дамой, дворецким, детективом и так далее.
Изумляет необычайное устройство английского общества того времени. Это сочетание возможности с одной стороны к самым низким поступкам, а с другой совершенная невозможность поступков простив определенных понятий о чести. Вызывает улыбку как самые простые бытовые мелочи облекаются в выспренную форму. И множество светских условностей, а также правил взаимоотношения слуг и господ, которых тщательно придерживаются герои.
Собственно сюжет совершенно не важен, хотя он вполне имеется.
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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