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harpirl's review
4.0
Armadale is a gripping tale. A stolen inheritance, a stolen identity, and a malicious, manipulative woman are all mixed into the plot. There are about five people in here who bear the name of Armadale. Although, only two of them bear the name legally. The story itself mainly focuses upon the second generation of sons. The first generation, the fathers of these sons were guilty of a terrible crime. Throughout the whole novel, the likely known fate of these sons slowly unravels itself.
Collins takes you through the journey in a style I liked. Perhaps a bit predictable at times, especially since the book centers upon fate. Yet at the same time, the book has some good twists and turns throughout. I really enjoyed it. *4.5 stars*
Collins takes you through the journey in a style I liked. Perhaps a bit predictable at times, especially since the book centers upon fate. Yet at the same time, the book has some good twists and turns throughout. I really enjoyed it. *4.5 stars*
wisch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
catrionalennon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
heidi_meredith's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
I found the first half rather tedious and agonisingly slow, with too much exposition, albeit there is some beautiful writing, especially the descriptions of the Norfolk Broads. I raced through the second half, although I missed the saccharine Miss Milroy. I enjoyed the varied formats of letter, diary and prose.
I am left feeling much pity for Lydia Gwilt. She is difficult to relate to but clearly damaged by childhood neglect and traumatic experiences. It struck me afterwards that Midwinter and Gwilt are a little like Heathcliff and Catherine. My favourite character is Mr Brock, as it's refreshing to come across a fictional vicar who seems to understand the gospel of the Bible.
I am left feeling much pity for Lydia Gwilt. She is difficult to relate to but clearly damaged by childhood neglect and traumatic experiences. It struck me afterwards that Midwinter and Gwilt are a little like Heathcliff and Catherine. My favourite character is Mr Brock, as it's refreshing to come across a fictional vicar who seems to understand the gospel of the Bible.
okenwillow's review
5.0
Les mots me manquent, les bras m’en tombent. L’un dans l’autre ce billet promet de ne pas briller par son contenu, mais que faire, que dire après un tel monument qui m’a procuré une extase sans nom ? Wilkie Collins nous balance un bon gros pavé bourré de personnages magnifiques et hauts en couleurs, des intrigues tortueuses, des rebondissements, des secrets inavouables, des âmes tourmentées, une société victorienne avec ses défauts mais avec cette ambiance qui me ravit.
Le meilleur de maître Wilkie est développé à son maximum dans Armadale.
Un antagonisme prédestiné, une dualité troublante dans laquelle l’innocence et l’ignorance de l’un contrebalance la connaissance et la paranoïa de l’autre.
Les deux Armadale forme un duo improbable, deux personnalités que tout sépare, riches et complexes. On pourrait parler des heures de ce roman sublime, malheureusement le temps me manque et à moins de faire une dissertation de 3612 pages qui de toute façons ne suffirait pas à faire le tour de la question, la chose me parait vaine. Notons cependant un personnage que j’ai adoré (parmi d’autres !), une méchante vilaine pas sympa du tout mais finalement très attachante, spécimen anachronique de femme fatale.
Pour finir et avant de m’enfoncer d’avantage, voici un extrait qui suffira à illustrer l’humour et la finesse de Wilkie :
Le meilleur de maître Wilkie est développé à son maximum dans Armadale.
Un antagonisme prédestiné, une dualité troublante dans laquelle l’innocence et l’ignorance de l’un contrebalance la connaissance et la paranoïa de l’autre.
Les deux Armadale forme un duo improbable, deux personnalités que tout sépare, riches et complexes. On pourrait parler des heures de ce roman sublime, malheureusement le temps me manque et à moins de faire une dissertation de 3612 pages qui de toute façons ne suffirait pas à faire le tour de la question, la chose me parait vaine. Notons cependant un personnage que j’ai adoré (parmi d’autres !), une méchante vilaine pas sympa du tout mais finalement très attachante, spécimen anachronique de femme fatale.
Pour finir et avant de m’enfoncer d’avantage, voici un extrait qui suffira à illustrer l’humour et la finesse de Wilkie :
« Quand vous dites non à une femme, monsieur, dites-le toujours en un seul mot. Si vous lui donnez des raisons, elle croit invariablement que vous voulez lui dire oui. »
melanie10082006's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
lauralovebook's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
evatj's review
5.0
Armadale is probably one of the best stories I have ever read; well paced, with enough twists and turns to keep a reader engaged. Also, if someone is considering this specific mint edition, I do highly recommend.
ohnoflora's review
4.0
I will never get tired of Wilkie Collins' subversion of the matrimonial climax. For him marriage is not the be all and end all: in fact it is often written as being fraught with danger. It's the spaces between that interest him: the flux of friendship and love and the lines drawn between them. It's no coincidence that his novels often end with a ménage-a-trois - a triangle of people who balance each other out - or a strengthening of the same-sex relationship that has held the novel together.
In this case the novel ends with Allan Armadale on the point of marrying the rather insipid Neelie Milroy (who he has fallen in and out of love with on a regular basis throughout the novel) while at the same time affirming his lifelong devotion to Ozias Midwinter:
"I know that if you take to Literature, it shan't part us, and that if you go on a sea voyage, you will remember when you come back that my house is your home".
In this case the novel ends with Allan Armadale on the point of marrying the rather insipid Neelie Milroy (who he has fallen in and out of love with on a regular basis throughout the novel) while at the same time affirming his lifelong devotion to Ozias Midwinter:
"I know that if you take to Literature, it shan't part us, and that if you go on a sea voyage, you will remember when you come back that my house is your home".