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A review by tigerlinus
Armadale by Wilkie Collins
3.0
3.5? Slow beginning, picks up in the middle third of the book with the introduction of Lydia Gwilt, with the last third the best pace of the book - some exceptions to this last third being too many pages from the diary of Miss Gwilt (also found in the middle third), and an overlong explanation of a sanitarium. Additionally, Collins could have reduced this story by 150+ pages and still presented an engrossing tale that would have kept his readers engaged; there were enough moments when I wanted him to 'get on with it.'
I'm a fan of Collins, but his writing can be verbose, overly descriptive, and his characters entirely too emotional/romantic; the reader will find much of that in Armadale.
Overall, this read is worth the time it will take to finish the 700+ pages. I truly did enjoy the story, which included foreshadowing, friendships, murder, romance, revenge, Victorian era social norms and issues, and interesting characterization. I was especially intrigued by the driven, self-seeking, resourceful, and unforgettable villainess of Miss Gwilt.
I'm a fan of Collins, but his writing can be verbose, overly descriptive, and his characters entirely too emotional/romantic; the reader will find much of that in Armadale.
Overall, this read is worth the time it will take to finish the 700+ pages. I truly did enjoy the story, which included foreshadowing, friendships, murder, romance, revenge, Victorian era social norms and issues, and interesting characterization. I was especially intrigued by the driven, self-seeking, resourceful, and unforgettable villainess of Miss Gwilt.