A review by celiapowell
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

4.0

I listened to this classic thriller (a bestseller in the 1860s, accordingly to the blurb) as an audio book, which is not for the faint hearted. 20 CDs later, and I reached the ending. What a great story, and what wonderful villians, conducting such an elaborate scheme for what I suppose must have been a great deal of money.

I found the relationship between Walter, the narrator, and Laura very frustrating, particularly later in the book. Laura is so pathetic and so sweet and so dreadfully childlike, and utterly adored by the narrator. I wanted Walter to get together with Laura's sister Marion, who is witty and intelligent. However, while he constantly goes on about wonderful Marion and her strength and intelligence, he's still swept away by drippy Laura. Foolish man.

Other than that, a fabulous story - I loved the language, particularly listening to it - the formal nature of the confessions and narratives from each character. This would make a marvellous accompaniment to sitting down and knitting away, I think, imagining that you're sitting in the parlour with Walter listening to him tell you his story.