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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
With this novel, Wilkie Collins really began the modern detective story. In the character of Sergeant Cuff, the reader can absolutely discern the outlines of Sherlock Holmes. In the story's opening, the prologue to Lord of the Rings' tale of the making of the Ring of Power vibrates below the surface of the reader's memory. Collins did one thing and he did it well - write mysteries. If I'd been able to give this novel 4.5 stars, I would have. It's not quite deserving of the five stars I gave Collins' best work, The Woman in White, but it's close. The ending isn't contrived. From a postcolonalism standpoint, it's appropriate and fair, not the traditional white man wins in the end story. Since this is a mystery, I won't go into to much detail. I will only say that the mystery is sustained into the final pages. The explanation is plausible and just enough bizarre to warrant calling this sensational literature. Worth the read, as is The Woman in White. Oh, and Collins is wonderful funny in many spots, which is always a welcome delight in any author. Finding myself chuckling or smiling throughout this text made it worth the read in itself.
I was really loving this story until the narrative of Franklin Blake, hence four stars rather than five. For whatever reason, the story really bogged down at that point - which is odd since it is at this point that the mystery begins to reveal itself.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
This book moves in fits and starts. The first 180 pages are really great, but the rest just felt like a slog.
I finished it! The Moonstone wasn't a hard book to get through, persay, but my motivation to read non-romance books was at an all-time low during a very busy semester. (Romance is relaxing because you don't have to think).
That said. I liked this book. It was great to read a classic again. I liked the way that all of the narrators came together, and the premise for that style of narration. The mystery held through and the plot worked. I'd give it three stars just because it didn't hold my interest very strongly, possibly because I read it over such a long period of time.
That said. I liked this book. It was great to read a classic again. I liked the way that all of the narrators came together, and the premise for that style of narration. The mystery held through and the plot worked. I'd give it three stars just because it didn't hold my interest very strongly, possibly because I read it over such a long period of time.
I still had a hundred pages left but I genuinely could not continue. This book genuinely bored me to death
Really enjoyed this, and probably would have enjoyed it more, had not a critical essay spoiled it for me by telling me the twist (I should really know better than to do the critical reading before I read the novel, but in this instance I had no choice)
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes