Reviews

No Name by Wilkie Collins

ellen_w's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

masu_reads's review against another edition

5.0

Reading Wilkie Collins is like becoming friends with all the characters and being able to return to them any time you need some escapist good times with lots of drama. The ending was a bit too lovey-dovey for me but I'll just pretend it finishes a bit earlier and leaves the conclusion to me.

msgtdameron's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Great work.  The start of the story, Mr Vanstone dies intestate.  His wife dies intestate.  The reason Mr Vanhorn were not married until a month before they die.  They have been living together for 25 plus years and under the Law the wills that have already drawn up are invalid once they got married.  This leaves the two daughters, Nora and Magellan, with only their uncles good graces to fall back on.  Other wise they are pennies and homeless.  Unfortunately the Uncle hates their father over some childhood or young adult slight.  Everything else stems from this issue.  Willke does and excellent job of answering all the questions in the work but,  one.  What was the original reason for the brothers falling out.  There are several times during the narrative where this question could have been answered but was not.  Other than this one question the work is excellent.

ruth's review against another edition

mysterious sad 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

2.75

bahnree's review against another edition

4.0

I’m not sure if I actually liked anyone in this, but it was absolutely riveting nevertheless.

rachelmacdonald's review against another edition

5.0

This was my favourite Wilkie Collins novel when I first read all of his novels in my late teens and early 20s. So I was curious to see how my view had changed 30 years (!!) later. It hadn't. This is one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. Wilkie Collins was such a feminist and writes such brilliant female characters. This is the story that focuses on the injustice of the English legal system to two sisters born out of wedlock, and the lengths that one of them will go to in order so her beloved father's spirit can rest in peace. Brilliant. The strategic game played out between Madame Lecourt and Captain Wragge is as gripping as anything I have ever encountered in any other genre.

christythelibrarian's review against another edition

5.0

Adored this novel! The way Collins writes a scene - the opening scene was *chef’s kiss* and got even better from there.

Almost every character was indelible in their own right - distinct and fully human on the page.

Miss Garth was an early favorite, as the no-nonsense governess. Was a fan of meek little Louisa too - a character with a much later entry.

Captain Wragge is a wonderful scroundrel. Loved his avuncular team-up with the heroine and his battle of wits with the formidable Mrs Lecount. He disappears from events in the last quarter or so, and so I was pleased when he reappeared in a final burst of irrepressible big personality.

And of course, Magdalen, our heroine, is intriguing as she plunged into morally dubious waters to restore her family’s lost fortune.

Loved that this was also a story of sisters, whose faithful connection to each other is at the heart of the story.

syafa's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

dawncox's review against another edition

5.0

This was my fourth Wilkie Collins novel. I loved it!!! I think it's up there with Armadale as my favourite. Like all Collins it burns very slowly to begin with as the scene is set and the characters fleshed out. But when it gets going it really gets going. Excellent! Sad it ended.

janedallaway's review against another edition

4.0

This starts and ends really well with plenty of interest. A great story but they were definitely bits in the middle were I lost interest. It's the kind of book that suits long reading sessions rather than being picked up for the odd chapter before bed.