Reviews

This is a wonderful book. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked it up, because although I'd loved Woman in White I'd had a hard time getting through the Moonstone. I needn't have worried! It's a fast-moving, engaging plot right from the beginning, and the characters are wonderfully flawed and likable. The heroine, Magdalen, is daring and resolute, and one can't help rooting for her. While reading I tried to imagine the experience of reading it as a serial and having to wait for the next installment, and certainly the plot is broken into episodes, often with a cliff-hanger, that come from the original format of the story.

No Name tells the story of Norah and Magdalen, who have an idyllic childhood, with no reason to doubt their place in the world. After the sudden deaths of their parents, the girls are shocked to discover that their parents had not been married when Norah and Magdalen were born, so that they are not entitled to inherit any portion of their parents' fortune. Norah accepts her lot and decides to gracefully step away from her place in society to become a governess. Magdalen, however, vows revenge on the uncle who inherited their property, and the novel followed her plots to restore the family fortune to her and her sister. The transmutation of Magdalen from a spoiled young girl to a determined con artist as she comes to discover her own abilities and strength are what really make the novel stand out.

binabik's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional tense slow-paced

3.75

sunflowers_sunsets's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.5

jesshaberman's review against another edition

Go to review page

This book is quite a tome, and yet I didn't want it to end! It does meander quite a bit and there were moments, especially during dialogue featuring Captain Wragge or Mrs. LeCount, where I wanted to say, "Spit it out, already!" But since the book was originally presented serially, it makes sense that Collins would build up the suspense and linger on some conversations more than you'd think necessary. There were times when I wasn't sure who to side with--when every character seemed like a villain--but I truly enjoyed the evolution of each character, especially Magdalen's. The significance of Captain Kirke was hinted at pretty early and it took so long for the story to circle back to him--and I longed for more of him--but I was very satisfied with the end result. This is a book I would recommend to any fan of Wilkie Collins--but not necessarily to the casual reader of "classic fiction."

evia_booklover's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

robertwhelan's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Very long read but worth it.

mxinky's review

Go to review page

5.0

I'm a huge Wilkie fan and this is now my favorite of his works. No Name's protagonist does not play, ok? She does not simper or appeal to god for forgiveness in a fake way. Magdalen is a revenge machine. I don't want to spoil it but, damn, I will be rereading.

(Armadale used to be my favorite, but this is better.)

More...