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A review by dunnadam
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
4.0
I read this for a book club and I’m glad I did. The book gives a good counter-point to other Victorian books of the period such as Dickens or even Melville on the American side. The story is more relatable today, easier to read, and although there is a lull in the middle it is a smaller lull and less of a wade than many books of the period.
The book really excels in the first half with the straight-talking butler Betteredge dispensing advice and relating the facts so far in his ever practical way:
“I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a wife. See that she chews her food well and sets her foot down firmly on the ground when she walks, and you’re all right.”
“If I had been younger, I might have confessed as much to Mr. Franklin. But when you are old, you acquire one excellent habit. In cases where you don’t see your way clearly, you hold your tongue.”
In this first half of the book, Betteredge’s narrative, we meet the renowned Sargent Cuff and the story clips along until Cuff is stopped by propriety. That pissed me off. The Inspector can’t conduct his investigation further as the wilting flower of a woman of the house is distraught. How Victorian and how ridiculous. With this Cuff departs and the book limps along to other narrators although not much really happens until Cuff returns at the end. A small worthy side-note is the ever meddling Mrs. Clack who leaves her religious pamphlets everywhere in the hopes of saving souls. The humour here is great and could have been taken up even another level.
Nothing much of note to report until Cuff comes back and the mystery is solved in about the last five percent of the book. Another piss off here as Cuff this time writes the culprit’s name on a piece of paper and leaves it in a sealed envelope until the case is fully resolved. It seems Victorian police-work involves some cloak and dagger? Really I saw no reason for this. Out with it man! I suppose it proves Cuff’s brilliance to the reader.
Other Victorian books I have had to consult reading guides, this one I didn’t. I did reference a list of characters I think twice but the book is still written in modern enough English that most should be able to follow unaided. A worthy addition to my list of Victorian Literature. Might have gotten five stars but the lull in the middle was noticeable.
The book really excels in the first half with the straight-talking butler Betteredge dispensing advice and relating the facts so far in his ever practical way:
“I agree with the late William Cobbett about picking a wife. See that she chews her food well and sets her foot down firmly on the ground when she walks, and you’re all right.”
“If I had been younger, I might have confessed as much to Mr. Franklin. But when you are old, you acquire one excellent habit. In cases where you don’t see your way clearly, you hold your tongue.”
In this first half of the book, Betteredge’s narrative, we meet the renowned Sargent Cuff and the story clips along until Cuff is stopped by propriety. That pissed me off. The Inspector can’t conduct his investigation further as the wilting flower of a woman of the house is distraught. How Victorian and how ridiculous. With this Cuff departs and the book limps along to other narrators although not much really happens until Cuff returns at the end. A small worthy side-note is the ever meddling Mrs. Clack who leaves her religious pamphlets everywhere in the hopes of saving souls. The humour here is great and could have been taken up even another level.
Nothing much of note to report until Cuff comes back and the mystery is solved in about the last five percent of the book. Another piss off here as Cuff this time writes the culprit’s name on a piece of paper and leaves it in a sealed envelope until the case is fully resolved. It seems Victorian police-work involves some cloak and dagger? Really I saw no reason for this. Out with it man! I suppose it proves Cuff’s brilliance to the reader.
Other Victorian books I have had to consult reading guides, this one I didn’t. I did reference a list of characters I think twice but the book is still written in modern enough English that most should be able to follow unaided. A worthy addition to my list of Victorian Literature. Might have gotten five stars but the lull in the middle was noticeable.