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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oh my goodness gracious me! I finally did it! I've been wanting to read this book since, like, forever, and I finally did it. All 600+ pages of it. And it was well worth the time and effort it took.
My favorite characters were Mr. Fairlie and Miss Halcombe. Mr. Fairlie is one of the most pathetic creatures you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, as his constant complaints and altogether ridiculous personality are a source of great entertainment every time he appears in the story. Miss Halcombe, too often described as having a man's strength of character, is, in my most humble opinion the very personification of woman's patience, practicality, and fortitude. She has my greatest respect! I do wonder, just as an aside, if Wilkie Collins was trying to portray the typical "spinster" of the day. In other words, is Marian Halcombe a lesbian in disguise? If that is the case, then I double my respect for her!
This gets a resounding 5 out of 5 stars!!
My favorite characters were Mr. Fairlie and Miss Halcombe. Mr. Fairlie is one of the most pathetic creatures you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, as his constant complaints and altogether ridiculous personality are a source of great entertainment every time he appears in the story. Miss Halcombe, too often described as having a man's strength of character, is, in my most humble opinion the very personification of woman's patience, practicality, and fortitude. She has my greatest respect! I do wonder, just as an aside, if Wilkie Collins was trying to portray the typical "spinster" of the day. In other words, is Marian Halcombe a lesbian in disguise? If that is the case, then I double my respect for her!
This gets a resounding 5 out of 5 stars!!
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I may have read this at the wrong time but I found it hopelessly long and drawn out.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Far more psychological than I was expecting. Collins dedicated the book to the Commissioner for Lunacy, and supposedly was inspired by the case of the falsely imprisoned Louisa Nottidge in the 1840s. Collins had legal training, and he drew on this when following his multiple characters as they present the story/case to the reader.
My main love of the book comes from Marian Halcombe. She is intelligent, she knows her own mind, and she is willing to do almost anything to look after her half-sister. She cares very little for societal norms or doing what ‘should’ be done, and she repeatedly stands up to the aggressive, abusive, or just plain rude people she comes across.
There are a lot of threads, some long-winded writing, and some typical swooning, but The Woman in White works well. It scrutinises the position of women of the time, the inequalities between men and their wives, and the duplicity and greed found in protecting power and status.
My main love of the book comes from Marian Halcombe. She is intelligent, she knows her own mind, and she is willing to do almost anything to look after her half-sister. She cares very little for societal norms or doing what ‘should’ be done, and she repeatedly stands up to the aggressive, abusive, or just plain rude people she comes across.
There are a lot of threads, some long-winded writing, and some typical swooning, but The Woman in White works well. It scrutinises the position of women of the time, the inequalities between men and their wives, and the duplicity and greed found in protecting power and status.
This was a book I simply could not put down. Beautifully written, and a deliciously enticing mystery.
A man is walking home one night. He feels a tap on his shoulder. It's a woman dressed in white. She asks for help in getting far away. Once he has her safely in a carriage and she is off, he finds out this woman has escaped from an Asylum.
Got your attention?
This book was darn good. The Woman in White set the format of what a great mystery thriller should be and it's no wonder. It was perfect.
This lengthy novel was told from the point of view - in the form of written testimonies - from different people who were both knowing and unknowingly involved in the 'secret'. Instead of this hindering the flow of the story, it enhanced it. Each narrative picked up where the last one left off and also filling in the holes the last narrative left.
There were a few times in reading where I thought the story was slacking, but what I failed to realize at the time was Collins was masterfully setting up for the next shocking event. When I hit these, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Heck, I felt like I was right there viewing it in person.
The Woman in White also showed the limits that women had in the 19th century, especially once they were married. It's almost sickening at some points.
Marian Holcombe was a fascinating character, one of the best in literature. One thing I didn't understand is why her narrative was told through journal entries while everyone else's was told through written testimony, even by those who couldn't even write! Marian was probably the most clever person in this cast of characters, so I just don't get it.
I was never scared at any point, but I have read that some people have been. The Woman in White I did find very thrilling. Lots of shady people. Who was a spy? Was someone unknowingly being followed? Secret identities. Cleverly woven secrets. Brilliant!
If you love Victorian literature or mystery thrillers and have not read The Woman in White, for shame! I highly recommend it.
Got your attention?
This book was darn good. The Woman in White set the format of what a great mystery thriller should be and it's no wonder. It was perfect.
This lengthy novel was told from the point of view - in the form of written testimonies - from different people who were both knowing and unknowingly involved in the 'secret'. Instead of this hindering the flow of the story, it enhanced it. Each narrative picked up where the last one left off and also filling in the holes the last narrative left.
There were a few times in reading where I thought the story was slacking, but what I failed to realize at the time was Collins was masterfully setting up for the next shocking event. When I hit these, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Heck, I felt like I was right there viewing it in person.
The Woman in White also showed the limits that women had in the 19th century, especially once they were married. It's almost sickening at some points.
Marian Holcombe was a fascinating character, one of the best in literature. One thing I didn't understand is why her narrative was told through journal entries while everyone else's was told through written testimony, even by those who couldn't even write! Marian was probably the most clever person in this cast of characters, so I just don't get it.
I was never scared at any point, but I have read that some people have been. The Woman in White I did find very thrilling. Lots of shady people. Who was a spy? Was someone unknowingly being followed? Secret identities. Cleverly woven secrets. Brilliant!
If you love Victorian literature or mystery thrillers and have not read The Woman in White, for shame! I highly recommend it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes