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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
Walter Hartright, a teacher of drawing, has been engaged by Mr Fairlie of Limmeridge House to instruct his two nieces. As he begins the journey to the estate he encounters a mysterious woman dressed all in white. He helps her get on her way and later discovers she is escaped from an insane asylum. When he arrives at the estate he first meets Miss Marian Halcombe, the older half-sister of Miss Laura Fairlie. Marian is a forthright, intelligent woman, but not at all attractive. Laura is a shy, modest young lady of some beauty. But what impresses Hartright from the outset is that she bears a striking resemblance to the woman in white! Of course, he falls madly in love with Laura, but she is already engaged to marry Sir Percival Glyde. And so the intrigue begins …
This sensation of a novel was the first modern detective/mystery, and I’ve had it on my tbr list for a long time. I’m glad I finally read it, but it really is quite dated. The melodramatic scenarios and over-the-top dialogue had me chuckling in places where – I’m sure – the original readers felt horror or suspense. There are plenty of clues, but also a number of red herrings. The fact that it was originally serialized also contributes to the style – multiple narrators give evidence as they know it, letting the reader (and the characters) slowly piece together the puzzle. It holds up quite well, despite being a very Victorian book, and it’s easy to see why it remains a popular classic.
Walter Hartright, a teacher of drawing, has been engaged by Mr Fairlie of Limmeridge House to instruct his two nieces. As he begins the journey to the estate he encounters a mysterious woman dressed all in white. He helps her get on her way and later discovers she is escaped from an insane asylum. When he arrives at the estate he first meets Miss Marian Halcombe, the older half-sister of Miss Laura Fairlie. Marian is a forthright, intelligent woman, but not at all attractive. Laura is a shy, modest young lady of some beauty. But what impresses Hartright from the outset is that she bears a striking resemblance to the woman in white! Of course, he falls madly in love with Laura, but she is already engaged to marry Sir Percival Glyde. And so the intrigue begins …
This sensation of a novel was the first modern detective/mystery, and I’ve had it on my tbr list for a long time. I’m glad I finally read it, but it really is quite dated. The melodramatic scenarios and over-the-top dialogue had me chuckling in places where – I’m sure – the original readers felt horror or suspense. There are plenty of clues, but also a number of red herrings. The fact that it was originally serialized also contributes to the style – multiple narrators give evidence as they know it, letting the reader (and the characters) slowly piece together the puzzle. It holds up quite well, despite being a very Victorian book, and it’s easy to see why it remains a popular classic.
daizally's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
babciabunia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
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
2.5
lavinderosy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tobymacl's review against another edition
5.0
This long book was gripping from start to finish. Told by many narrators it gains pace towards the end, but remains tightly plotted throughout. There are moments of shock and humour but the abiding sense is of an author enjoying the variety of voices, the slow release of mystery and an other worldly adventure. It took me 5 weeks to read but was worth every page
klebere's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up until 3:00am finishing this book. Wtf Wilkie, why haven’t I read you sooner?
m_e_ruzak's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Edgar Allen Poe is credited with the first detective novel but after reading The Woman In White I feel this distinction belongs to it's author Wilkie Collins. Although his Protagonist is not a police officer or detective, her certainly fits this bill in this novel. I enjoyed the novel although a warning to future readers, the first epoch of the novel is very slow. It picks up in the the middle and towards the end. This was a well received and salacious novel for it's time, but seemed tame to me in present context. Still all and all, an excellent novel and after reading Dan Simmons Drood I'm glad I finally read something by Mr. Collins!