Reviews

I went into this with trepidation - a very long classic, but I almost immediately fell in love with it. Its serial originations show through in keeping the suspense high the whole time with just enough payoff to prevent frustration. The characters were all so wonderfully lifelike, good and bad both, and so many times I had to talk myself out of looking up the ending because I just *had* to know how things would turn out. Walter/Laura convinced me the straights can be okay, and I have a huge crush on Marian.

lori85's review against another edition

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2.0

Huh. Apparently people have been crazy about this overwrought, overwritten, convoluted, and overall completely ridiculous book for a good 170 years now. It was a phenomenon when first serialized from 1859-1860. I guess it was their equivalent of a soap opera.

I did like Marian's character with her complicated relationship to the patriarchal society in which she lives. Misogyny is a prominent theme: it is both internalized by Marian - a strong, capable woman in a culture that values delicate wilting flowers like Laura- and used by villainous men to their advantage. Parts of the book were clearly influenced by The Mysteries of Udolpho, with its women trapped in an abusive domestic situation, surrounded by criminals, and coerced into acting against their will. Too bad the rest is so drawn out and dull.

bibliotequeish's review against another edition

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4.0

Considered one of the first mystery novels, this intense Victorian era story reads like a modern day soap opera.

A case of mistaken identity, unrequited love, murder... it has it all.
A classic gothic novel.

coolbaud's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

louiza_read2live's review against another edition

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4.0

The Woman in White was written in 1860 By Wilkie Collins, a good friend and mentee of Charles Dickens. It is a mystery thriller written in 1860, and it is considered to be the first of this genre. A surprisingly very good read that keeps you on your toes. It keeps you wondering and right where you think you know, you end up with surprising twists. Also, I love Wilkies's subtle humor. He can be very funny and at times in a way that you almost pass it and move on but something stops you and makes you do a double look as in: Hold on, did the character just say that? And then you laugh. It's a humorous scene or comment so well written and entangled within the seriousness of the surrounding context that you almost miss it -- Almost... But you don't. And that makes it more impressive.
An interesting piece of information is that in 1860's Wilkies was even more popular than Dickens and some of his writing influenced Dickens's writing style on A Tale of Two Cities.

shokarya's review against another edition

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DNF at page 146/672. I'm honestly bored...

alicefracchia's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.0

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