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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
slow-paced
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Yeah I cannot tell whether I liked this or not. Satisfying? Can’t say. But it’s also 2am…
The romance in this was kind of weird
The romance in this was kind of weird
Wilkie Collins, for those who may not be aware, was a friend of Charles Dickens and a reader may think that because of this their writing styles would be somewhat similar; this is not the case they have drastically different writing styles and because of this I thoroughly enjoy Wilkie Collins novels as much as I despise anything penned by his friend who is just too long winded and maudlin for my taste.
The storyline in this book is narrated from the perspective of each member of the unique cast of characters that the Author brings to life on his pages. They are entertaining, smart and funny, bringing out a lot of the social norms of the period in their narratives, whilst at the same time showing that things were changing much to the annoyance of one particular chauvinistic male. Because the Author is able to convince the reader that the plot is being revealed to them on a personal level, rather than them being a spectator in the unfolding mystery, the characters become ones you can love or hate as would people you meet in real life. The characters in this novel are societies ‘Gods of the Universe’; they are privileged, pampered but definitely human, a trait that is often lacking in more modern novels in this genre. There was not one character I preferred over another, as each brings their unique perspective of the world around them into the tale, and through this the reader is able to experience more of what is happening behind the main storyline.
As in most novels written in this time period, the location description are vast sweeping and very detailed; it is verbose to the extreme and a reader that is new to its pages may wonder how anything ever was accomplished in Victorian times when they used 20 words to convey something we use 4 words for today. Despite this it is still an excellent read, no matter how many times I open this book, or listen to it on audio book. It is not fast-paced by any means, and those reader that enjoy this in a mystery book may find that aspect off-putting, but regardless of whether you solve the mystery before the reveal, there is still plenty in the novel to keep you turning the pages to the very end.
I would highly recommend this as a good engrossing read for anyone who likes mystery novels, those set in the Victorian era or is curious about the book purported to be ‘the first mystery novel’. I’ve read Wilkie Collins novel the Woman in White, and will no doubt continue to revisit both of his works in the years to come.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/07/25/review-the-moonstone-wilkie-collins/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
The storyline in this book is narrated from the perspective of each member of the unique cast of characters that the Author brings to life on his pages. They are entertaining, smart and funny, bringing out a lot of the social norms of the period in their narratives, whilst at the same time showing that things were changing much to the annoyance of one particular chauvinistic male. Because the Author is able to convince the reader that the plot is being revealed to them on a personal level, rather than them being a spectator in the unfolding mystery, the characters become ones you can love or hate as would people you meet in real life. The characters in this novel are societies ‘Gods of the Universe’; they are privileged, pampered but definitely human, a trait that is often lacking in more modern novels in this genre. There was not one character I preferred over another, as each brings their unique perspective of the world around them into the tale, and through this the reader is able to experience more of what is happening behind the main storyline.
As in most novels written in this time period, the location description are vast sweeping and very detailed; it is verbose to the extreme and a reader that is new to its pages may wonder how anything ever was accomplished in Victorian times when they used 20 words to convey something we use 4 words for today. Despite this it is still an excellent read, no matter how many times I open this book, or listen to it on audio book. It is not fast-paced by any means, and those reader that enjoy this in a mystery book may find that aspect off-putting, but regardless of whether you solve the mystery before the reveal, there is still plenty in the novel to keep you turning the pages to the very end.
I would highly recommend this as a good engrossing read for anyone who likes mystery novels, those set in the Victorian era or is curious about the book purported to be ‘the first mystery novel’. I’ve read Wilkie Collins novel the Woman in White, and will no doubt continue to revisit both of his works in the years to come.
Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/07/25/review-the-moonstone-wilkie-collins/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
My cover was cooler, but I wasn't in the mood for was seemed like a watered-down version of Heart of Darkness.
I don't want to inadvertently give away something important so I won't talk about the plot of the story at all.
Written in first person by several different characters over the course of the story, Miss Clack turned out to be my favorite character. I loved her because of the verboseness of her writing and the fact that she totally could have been a real person with all the tract giving and good works and justifying of snooping.
The completely complicated conclusion made it impossible to figure out and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good detective novel.
Written in first person by several different characters over the course of the story, Miss Clack turned out to be my favorite character. I loved her because of the verboseness of her writing and the fact that she totally could have been a real person with all the tract giving and good works and justifying of snooping.
The completely complicated conclusion made it impossible to figure out and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good detective novel.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
A really fun book to read with an interesting narration style which moved between narrators whose sole purpose was to record the exact happenings they witnessed in relation to the events surrounding the Moonstone's disappearance.
It was a cool set up to have each of the narrators very aware of the reader as they detailed the events in accordance with their memories. As the chapters went on, I felt that you got to know each of the narrators well as they often digressed into things on their mind or chartered off topic on to other areas of interest.
Miss Click had me laughing - there's nothing like a character so completely unaware of themselves! She would be seriously unbearable to live with but was fun to follow through her part of the story nonetheless.
The book kept me guessing the whole time and while the ending wasn't as suspenseful or revelatory as you might have hoped, there is something realistic in it which is to be appreciated. It's not over the top or contrived as sometimes the tales of Sherlock Holmes can be.
And while it is a big book, the length never got to me. I never wondered how long to the next chapter, I was just busy enjoying the story!
It was a cool set up to have each of the narrators very aware of the reader as they detailed the events in accordance with their memories. As the chapters went on, I felt that you got to know each of the narrators well as they often digressed into things on their mind or chartered off topic on to other areas of interest.
Miss Click had me laughing - there's nothing like a character so completely unaware of themselves! She would be seriously unbearable to live with but was fun to follow through her part of the story nonetheless.
The book kept me guessing the whole time and while the ending wasn't as suspenseful or revelatory as you might have hoped, there is something realistic in it which is to be appreciated. It's not over the top or contrived as sometimes the tales of Sherlock Holmes can be.
And while it is a big book, the length never got to me. I never wondered how long to the next chapter, I was just busy enjoying the story!
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins is a classic mystery novel that intricately weaves a captivating tale around the theft of a valuable diamond. The plot kicks off with the diamond being stolen from India and then gifted to a young girl on her 18th birthday. The narrative unfolds through various characters' perspectives, resembling diary entries, but with a unique twist—all accounts are written after the events have transpired, giving the story a conversational tone.
The strength of the novel lies in its diverse and entertaining characters. Each narrative is crafted by a different character, and the author skillfully brings out their individual styles, biases, and eccentricities. The use of multiple perspectives introduces an element of the unreliable narrator, revealing that while everyone is telling what they believe to be the truth, it is filtered through their subjective lens.
The beauty of the storytelling becomes evident as the same scenes are portrayed from different characters' viewpoints. This approach adds layers to the narrative, creating a nuanced and intricate storyline. As the plot progresses, the novel unfolds like peeling back the layers of an onion, gradually revealing the truth. The reader discovers unexpected twists, making it a gripping and engaging read.
Collins' ability to maintain suspense and deliver unforeseen twists is timeless, resonating even with modern audiences. The exploration of truth through diverse perspectives and the unveiling of secrets make "The Moonstone" a classic mystery that stands the test of time. Overall, the novel's narrative structure, rich character development, and unexpected revelations contribute to its well-deserved 3.75 rating.
mysterious
slow-paced