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mollyl810's review against another edition
5.0
Lovvveeeed it
Couldn’t put it down & read in every moment of my spare time. Made me gasp, laugh, and eek out loud multiple times. Always a sucker for a satisfying ending too. 12 year old me would’ve made Marian my personal hero (23 year old me does too). & I was so happy Pesca returned to the story!!!
I was doubtful at first but ended up really enjoying the multiple narratives. The Count writing in Marian’s diary made my jaw drop!
Agree that the last 100 pages were fairly rushed, but not sure which parts I would cut to make more room. To be honest, I’d have read another 600 and not got bored. Also agree that Marian could’ve had more of a role in the final third of the book, especially in bringing Fosco down, which might bring my review down to 4.5 once the post book satisfaction has settled.
Couldn’t put it down & read in every moment of my spare time. Made me gasp, laugh, and eek out loud multiple times. Always a sucker for a satisfying ending too. 12 year old me would’ve made Marian my personal hero (23 year old me does too). & I was so happy Pesca returned to the story!!!
I was doubtful at first but ended up really enjoying the multiple narratives. The Count writing in Marian’s diary made my jaw drop!
Agree that the last 100 pages were fairly rushed, but not sure which parts I would cut to make more room. To be honest, I’d have read another 600 and not got bored. Also agree that Marian could’ve had more of a role in the final third of the book, especially in bringing Fosco down, which might bring my review down to 4.5 once the post book satisfaction has settled.
dunnadam's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. Some Victorian sensibilities aside, such as the women constantly fainting or going crazy, this was a really great book.
This is the second Collins book I've read after The Moonstone, and the best part of Collins is that no explanation is needed. With Dickens or Melville I have to at least occasionally consult a guide, not so with Collins. There were a couple of sections here I didn't understand what was happening but not to worry, Collins explains everything three times. Just be patient, you'll get it.
While the Count was great my favorite character was the complaining bachelor uncle. It's great that Collins has a rotating narrative and you get to hear a bit from everyone's side, some if too briefly.
A final note on this audiobook version. This is the first audiobook I've listened to in about 15 years and I really enjoyed it. The section told from the Uncle's viewpoint was so well done, a real A++ effort. I found the book on my podcast app on my phone.
This is the second Collins book I've read after The Moonstone, and the best part of Collins is that no explanation is needed. With Dickens or Melville I have to at least occasionally consult a guide, not so with Collins. There were a couple of sections here I didn't understand what was happening but not to worry, Collins explains everything three times. Just be patient, you'll get it.
While the Count was great my favorite character was the complaining bachelor uncle. It's great that Collins has a rotating narrative and you get to hear a bit from everyone's side, some if too briefly.
A final note on this audiobook version. This is the first audiobook I've listened to in about 15 years and I really enjoyed it. The section told from the Uncle's viewpoint was so well done, a real A++ effort. I found the book on my podcast app on my phone.
bethsiobhan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
wollstonecrafty's review against another edition
trying to write abt marion trying and failing to stifle her own transgressive urges, and how she sometimes refuses to speak them (even to herself) but then acts on them…thinking about gender surveillance and evidence
scarletsky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
neaddean's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
ordinary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Oh the creeping, inching dread of this book!
sjyudelson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0