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smalefowles's review against another edition
4.0
Armadale Armadale Armadale.
This lengthy little romp is quite enjoyable, and even a little thrilling at times. There's some unbelievable emotion and incongruous behavior once in a while, but perhaps I don't understand Victorians. The plot was well-constructed. Sometimes I could hardly put the book down. Luckily, when I picked it back up, I still had hundreds of pages left.
This lengthy little romp is quite enjoyable, and even a little thrilling at times. There's some unbelievable emotion and incongruous behavior once in a while, but perhaps I don't understand Victorians. The plot was well-constructed. Sometimes I could hardly put the book down. Luckily, when I picked it back up, I still had hundreds of pages left.
elanadoren's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.0
rosielazar1's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.75
kittykornerlibrarian's review
5.0
I treated myself to some Wilkie Collins for five days of Thanksgiving break... reading an 800+-page Victorian novel isn't everyone's idea of fun, perhaps, but it is mine. I love Wilkie Collins' characters, writing, complex plot lines, and all that drama that makes Victorian literature what it is. You can always count on Wilkie Collins for a strong woman character whose actions and choices drive the plot, unlike certain others of his contemporaries (why, yes, I'm looking at you, Charles Dickens.). I love the crazy mixed-up plot involving mixed-up names and inheritances. Lydia Gwilt, more people should know your name.
sammy_'s review
5.0
This is the third of Wilkie Collins’ mid-Victorian ‘sensation novels’ which I’ve read, after The Woman In White and The Moonstone.
This is in the same vein, essentially a domestic thriller in which the audience are privy to the identities, secrets, intentions, and inner thoughts of all the characters, but the characters themselves are in the dark - often expediently only discovering key information after they’ve just made a rash decision or fatal misstep that that information could have prevented.
More than any other of his books on similar themes, it also reflects that peculiar Victorian anxiety around identity - shared names; mix-ups and misunderstandings; stolen identities; forged references; and false respectability: Wilkie appears to have considered the main objective of his novels to be to leave every Victorian reader terrified about who might actually be living under their roof, and wondering if they truly knew anybody at all.
One thing I will say is that Wilkie has never been known for his economy with words, and the novel’s content would certainly not justify its 200,000+ word count by modern standards. But then, reading a Victorian novel is a bit like listening to an elderly relative relate an anecdote: there’s a curious enjoyability in the circuitousness of the tale and the manner of telling it, and perhaps also a heightened tension as a result, which ultimately makes the denouement all the more satisfying.
This is in the same vein, essentially a domestic thriller in which the audience are privy to the identities, secrets, intentions, and inner thoughts of all the characters, but the characters themselves are in the dark - often expediently only discovering key information after they’ve just made a rash decision or fatal misstep that that information could have prevented.
More than any other of his books on similar themes, it also reflects that peculiar Victorian anxiety around identity - shared names; mix-ups and misunderstandings; stolen identities; forged references; and false respectability: Wilkie appears to have considered the main objective of his novels to be to leave every Victorian reader terrified about who might actually be living under their roof, and wondering if they truly knew anybody at all.
One thing I will say is that Wilkie has never been known for his economy with words, and the novel’s content would certainly not justify its 200,000+ word count by modern standards. But then, reading a Victorian novel is a bit like listening to an elderly relative relate an anecdote: there’s a curious enjoyability in the circuitousness of the tale and the manner of telling it, and perhaps also a heightened tension as a result, which ultimately makes the denouement all the more satisfying.
fionaappleswife's review against another edition
4.0
never has a book taken me so long to read but been so satisfying in its resolution. the writing drama plot and story were immaculate if not very slow and dreary in some parts. but miss gwilt is a formidable and relatable villain - if only we were to see more of her inner turmoil and childhood memories that shaped her character. one of the hardest classics but wilkie collins is an author i definitely want to explore again in the future. 🤍
harpirl's review
4.0
Armadale is a gripping tale. A stolen inheritance, a stolen identity, and a malicious, manipulative woman are all mixed into the plot. There are about five people in here who bear the name of Armadale. Although, only two of them bear the name legally. The story itself mainly focuses upon the second generation of sons. The first generation, the fathers of these sons were guilty of a terrible crime. Throughout the whole novel, the likely known fate of these sons slowly unravels itself.
Collins takes you through the journey in a style I liked. Perhaps a bit predictable at times, especially since the book centers upon fate. Yet at the same time, the book has some good twists and turns throughout. I really enjoyed it. *4.5 stars*
Collins takes you through the journey in a style I liked. Perhaps a bit predictable at times, especially since the book centers upon fate. Yet at the same time, the book has some good twists and turns throughout. I really enjoyed it. *4.5 stars*
wisch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
catrionalennon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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