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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I've been meaning to read more from Wilkie Collins, having loved his two most famous novels. Jezebel's Daughter only came to my notice when it was published by Oxford Press last year. Once more, we are offered a sensational tale featuring a fascinating 'baddie' in the character of Madame Fontaine, and as always the author portays her with redeeming features and with motivations that make sense.
Opposing this mistress of poisons, we have the righteous Mrs. Wagner, fighting to carry on her late husbands ideology, cutting a place in the workplace for women! Yes, the focus is on the plot, with all its thrilling moments, but I enjoyed it, especially the subversive vein of feminism Collins often adds.
Opposing this mistress of poisons, we have the righteous Mrs. Wagner, fighting to carry on her late husbands ideology, cutting a place in the workplace for women! Yes, the focus is on the plot, with all its thrilling moments, but I enjoyed it, especially the subversive vein of feminism Collins often adds.
dark
reflective
tense
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
Madame Fontaine esta dispuesta a llegar hasta las últimas consecuencias con tal de que su hija logre casarse con el hombre que ama, pero nos vamos dando cuenta que para Madame Fontaine la felicidad de su hija no es su única motivación, por lo que mueve todos sus hilos a fin de manipular a todos a su alrededor con tal de salirse con la suya, para ello llegará incluso al asesinato.
Contada por el sobrino de la viuda Wagner, una mujer empresaria y que en este punto Collins nos muestra una situación de la mujer de finales del siglo XIX, pero no la que conocemos si no de aquellas que dieron cara a la sociedad para realizar cambios sociales en pro de la mujer y nos plantea lo que en este caso una mujer peculiar tenía que enfrentar para lograr su éxito tanto en los negocios como en innovaciones para otras mujeres dentro de su empresa.
Un libro absolutamente maravilloso, con un suspense delicioso, increíblemente fascinante, con una prosa exquisita y de una genialidad extraordinaria
Wilkie Collins sin duda era un escritor prodigioso y fuera de serie, uno de los imperdibles.
Contada por el sobrino de la viuda Wagner, una mujer empresaria y que en este punto Collins nos muestra una situación de la mujer de finales del siglo XIX, pero no la que conocemos si no de aquellas que dieron cara a la sociedad para realizar cambios sociales en pro de la mujer y nos plantea lo que en este caso una mujer peculiar tenía que enfrentar para lograr su éxito tanto en los negocios como en innovaciones para otras mujeres dentro de su empresa.
Un libro absolutamente maravilloso, con un suspense delicioso, increíblemente fascinante, con una prosa exquisita y de una genialidad extraordinaria
Wilkie Collins sin duda era un escritor prodigioso y fuera de serie, uno de los imperdibles.
Read Armadale instead. Lydia Gwilt is more sympathetic than Madame Fontaine, and the novel covers the same thematic ground.
This is the first book I've read by Wilkie Collins. It was a great suspenseful yarn. I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the character and plot development. Very good read. More of Mr. Collins' books will be added to my "to read" list.
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Jezebel’s Daughter is definitely not one of Wilkie’s best works, but its is still thoroughly enjoyable.
As a note to first time readers: if you want the plot to remain a mystery DO NOT look up the infamous serial killer they mention. I did, and it gave the whole thing away entirely.
Regardless, I think you’ll be able to figure out the resolution a bit sooner than Wilkie intended. Jezebel may be one of his most overtly nefarious characters, and she was enjoyable, but erratic. I did fully enjoy the cast of strong female characters, and I also enjoyed the creation of Jack Straw.
Still there were times that it seemed to drag; the narrative and conversation both seemed a little forced. None of the characters were as fully flushed out as Wilkie usually does, and that was a bit disappointing to me. These things led to the three-star rating, though I hope that wouldn’t discourage any lovers of Victorian literature from indulging in a relatively quick read.
As a note to first time readers: if you want the plot to remain a mystery DO NOT look up the infamous serial killer they mention. I did, and it gave the whole thing away entirely.
Regardless, I think you’ll be able to figure out the resolution a bit sooner than Wilkie intended. Jezebel may be one of his most overtly nefarious characters, and she was enjoyable, but erratic. I did fully enjoy the cast of strong female characters, and I also enjoyed the creation of Jack Straw.
Still there were times that it seemed to drag; the narrative and conversation both seemed a little forced. None of the characters were as fully flushed out as Wilkie usually does, and that was a bit disappointing to me. These things led to the three-star rating, though I hope that wouldn’t discourage any lovers of Victorian literature from indulging in a relatively quick read.
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was slightly disappointed by this book as the premise was so intriguing, but I felt like its best bits were showcased on the blurb. It was lacklustre and fairly monotonous. Although, I did enjoy the character development of Jack Straw in contrast to Madame Fontaine's increasingly desperate antics. It was refreshing to read a novel set against the backdrop of 1820s Frankfurt, which housed an array of fascinating characters. Not a favourite of mine, but worth the read.