Reviews

This early novella by Wilkie Collins is a picaresque story of a young many from a good family who goes through a series of professions, from publishing anonymous caricatures of his unwitting friends to forging old masters to counterfeiting. His family isn't exactly blameless either: in a typical Collins device, a will leaves money to the rogue's sister and brother-in-law only if he outlasts his grandmother -- which becomes their motivation for checking in on the rogue every now and then.

The picaresque meanderings are interrupted by the rogue falling in love, an exciting escape/pursuit, and his becoming an honest man by getting married and settling down in Australia (the later location, against his will).

This novella provides only a distant glimpse of the best of Collins, which was eventually to come. But it is enjoyable and worthwhile on its own terms.

celestemarin's review against another edition

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3.0

Not earth-shattering, but an enjoyable, short book with plenty of plot.

enutzman's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a fun, easy read

davidwright's review against another edition

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4.0

One of the best things about working in a big public library is that you get the long view on things, and explore the vast backlist of great stories. This novella from 1856 is just the kind of lost treasure I love to stumble upon. It tells of the varied misadventures of one Frank Softly, the son of the good Doctor Softly and the black sheep of his family. From fame as a caricaturist to debtor’s prison to work as a forger, and on through a mounting series of glorious failures in various walks of life and amours, wandering into the shadow of a charming and villainous Doctor Dulcifer. But the real draw here behind the picaresque plot, as with its antecedent Moll Flanders, is the wry impudence of its indefatigable narrator, the perfect type of the loveable rogue. Frank is too self-possessed to be truly sardonic, but far too wily not to poke fun in prose that smiles and winks and cavorts across the page with irresistible verve. (It seems that Collins wrote the book while on holiday in Paris with his pal Charles Dickens, a thought that makes me spin with envy. Just imagine, hanging out with Dickens in Paris!) As for where Frank winds up, I’ll give you three guesses. Frank does not go softly, and the story resists any moralistic come-uppance. A sheer delight, and a great starter for folks just starting out w/ the Victorians.

razia_c's review against another edition

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4.0

This was funny to read and made me laugh out loud!

zoe243's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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