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kvegan's review against another edition
3.0
Novel dealing with suspicion, infidelity and it’s consequences that was scandalous in its day. Great understanding of Human nature and surprising humour. An enjoyable classic read.
lynneelue's review against another edition
2.0
This was really disappointing because as a top sensational fiction book up there with Lady Audley's Secret and The Woman in White, I was expecting it to be really interesting. It wasn't. It went on and on, and it was all woe-me. There was a single plot really, and no surprising twists--even I could foresee who the real murderer was. It was about a weak murder plot, and a un-pursuasive decision of infidelity. The murder plot is solved without contestation and the build up to it is unnecessarily long. There was no believable chemistry between Isabel Carlyle and Francis Levison. The infidelity act occurs because of a frustrating lack of communication between the couple, and she lives with the consequences without letting it go, which makes her mopey and teary all the time. It was tiring and boring to read, and after the fatal night, there wasn't much plot left despite going on for about 400 more pages; I'm surprised I got through it so quickly, and that it was such a popular "sensational" fiction of the time. The serial cliffhangers weren't terrible but they were nothing more special than a chapter ending.
Not as mopey of a book as Elizabeth Gaskell's book Ruth, but at least Ruth reformed and worked hard to recover her reputation rather than just sitting, disguising herself with ridiculous masks and suspicious slip-ups. That made Ruth a much stronger character than Isabel Vane.
Not as mopey of a book as Elizabeth Gaskell's book Ruth, but at least Ruth reformed and worked hard to recover her reputation rather than just sitting, disguising herself with ridiculous masks and suspicious slip-ups. That made Ruth a much stronger character than Isabel Vane.
xschweingehabtx's review against another edition
3.75
I would have never read this on my own, but I enjoyed it for class.
fourfootedbeasts's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jumbleread's review against another edition
3.0
If you like to read books with jackasses as characters, then this is the book.
penguinlost's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
victoriag23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
illectum's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
coomarscorner's review against another edition
3.0
Murder, intrigue, love, hate, jealousy, deceit, adultery, exile, return-from-exile, courtroom drama ... this book has it all. This aptly-classified sensation novel must have been the Victorians' version of today's tele-series! Was super entertaining to read. If only the author had toned down her morality sermons, I could've given this book an extra .5 stars...oh well!
moyaw's review against another edition
5.0
It was a rather long novel but I liked it. Some of the emotions seemed puzzled to me but it could have been common for that time period.