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kstephensreads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so much fun. Great twists and turns and characters that made me laugh out loud. I’ll never look at Robinson Crusoe the same way again.
phoenix2's review against another edition
4.0
Quick and easy pace with a massive plot filled with surprises and twists. An amazing mystary, maybe one of the best written ever.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
3.0
The primary interest I retain in this book after reading is its status of largely founding the English mystery genre. It is certainly an interesting story, but long. I suspect that, like the work of Dickens, it was initially serialized. There are certainly some fascinating characters, but to me the main characters, particularly Rachel, were dull. I did very much like the way Drusilla Clack was written. The name alone is fantastic. Overall, I liked it, but was not terribly impressed, given its reputation.
louloup_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cordyline's review against another edition
Idk I didn‘t like any of the narrators, the only thing that kept me going was the solution of the case.
alayna017's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting read, one of the first detective novels written. A classic mystery with a few unexpected twists!
nekoshka's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lizzelovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I wrestled with what to give this book for many reasons, and finally landed on 3.75⭐️s.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
First and foremost, being the typecast racism of the 'villains'. With a modern eye it is hard to see the three Indians as anything other than countrymen seeking a violent process of cultural restoration, at a great cost to themselves.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Chronic illness
midorukawa's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0