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sereia8's review against another edition
5.0
This is my third reading and I still really, really like it!
manadabomb's review against another edition
5.0
Listed as the best book you've never heard of and it's true! Published in the 1859, this is a classic that isn't as known (but should be). I've been talking this up to all my bookish friends and I've not come across one who has heard of it. This, my friends, is the basis of detective fiction novels. Doyle based his character and stories on this novel. It was initially published as a serial so essentially each chapter ends as a cliffhanger and just keeps forcing you to read and curse anything that tries to distract you.
I listened to this through Craftlit, because Heather does a great job with explanations (she's a teacher). But you can also grab it for free from Librivox.
Walter Hartright is a young artist who gets a job at Limmeridge House to teach and mentor two young ladies in drawing, Laura Fairlie, a beautiful wealthy blonde, and Marian Halcombe, Laura's half-sister, most noted to be not as attractive but turns out to be one of the best written female characters.
On the way to Limmeridge, Walter encounters the woman in white. She's lost and needs assistance to get to where she needs to go. After assisting her, Walter finds out that she's escaped from a mental asylum. He uses the experience as a tale to tell the young ladies and finds out that the woman in white is actually Anne Catherick, who knew Laura's mother.
As expected, Walter falls for Laura but Laura is promised to Sir Percival Glyde in marriage. Glyde's best bud, Count Fosco, married to Laura's aunt, completes the crew that we end up watching throughout the book.
The book is told in narratives, each voiced by a different character. We start off with Walter's POV and then jump into others. This allows us to get a full picture of the mystery and how it started and where it went. But.....it's hard to tell, when the story is laid out, which narrator can be trusted. (Walter is a bit boring at first, but stick with him.)
Every time I was able to turn this book on, I was engrossed. If you are unsure about "the classics", start here!
I listened to this through Craftlit, because Heather does a great job with explanations (she's a teacher). But you can also grab it for free from Librivox.
Walter Hartright is a young artist who gets a job at Limmeridge House to teach and mentor two young ladies in drawing, Laura Fairlie, a beautiful wealthy blonde, and Marian Halcombe, Laura's half-sister, most noted to be not as attractive but turns out to be one of the best written female characters.
On the way to Limmeridge, Walter encounters the woman in white. She's lost and needs assistance to get to where she needs to go. After assisting her, Walter finds out that she's escaped from a mental asylum. He uses the experience as a tale to tell the young ladies and finds out that the woman in white is actually Anne Catherick, who knew Laura's mother.
As expected, Walter falls for Laura but Laura is promised to Sir Percival Glyde in marriage. Glyde's best bud, Count Fosco, married to Laura's aunt, completes the crew that we end up watching throughout the book.
The book is told in narratives, each voiced by a different character. We start off with Walter's POV and then jump into others. This allows us to get a full picture of the mystery and how it started and where it went. But.....it's hard to tell, when the story is laid out, which narrator can be trusted. (Walter is a bit boring at first, but stick with him.)
Every time I was able to turn this book on, I was engrossed. If you are unsure about "the classics", start here!
manthamack's review against another edition
4.0
Binged this entire thing over two days. Enough twists to keep me thorough engaged the entire time. Very much enjoyed.
stazja_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
echoess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.75
kashna83's review against another edition
4.0
(review 2006) És un llibre molt interessant per la forma en què està escrit (es va alternant el punt de vista del narrador a mesura que se succeeixen els fets) i l'atmosfera de suspens i misteri que aconsegueix. És rollo aventures de Sherlock Holmes o llibres d'Agatha Christie.
tochmarcetaine's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mollyl810's review against another edition
5.0
Lovvveeeed it
Couldn’t put it down & read in every moment of my spare time. Made me gasp, laugh, and eek out loud multiple times. Always a sucker for a satisfying ending too. 12 year old me would’ve made Marian my personal hero (23 year old me does too). & I was so happy Pesca returned to the story!!!
I was doubtful at first but ended up really enjoying the multiple narratives. The Count writing in Marian’s diary made my jaw drop!
Agree that the last 100 pages were fairly rushed, but not sure which parts I would cut to make more room. To be honest, I’d have read another 600 and not got bored. Also agree that Marian could’ve had more of a role in the final third of the book, especially in bringing Fosco down, which might bring my review down to 4.5 once the post book satisfaction has settled.
Couldn’t put it down & read in every moment of my spare time. Made me gasp, laugh, and eek out loud multiple times. Always a sucker for a satisfying ending too. 12 year old me would’ve made Marian my personal hero (23 year old me does too). & I was so happy Pesca returned to the story!!!
I was doubtful at first but ended up really enjoying the multiple narratives. The Count writing in Marian’s diary made my jaw drop!
Agree that the last 100 pages were fairly rushed, but not sure which parts I would cut to make more room. To be honest, I’d have read another 600 and not got bored. Also agree that Marian could’ve had more of a role in the final third of the book, especially in bringing Fosco down, which might bring my review down to 4.5 once the post book satisfaction has settled.
dunnadam's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. Some Victorian sensibilities aside, such as the women constantly fainting or going crazy, this was a really great book.
This is the second Collins book I've read after The Moonstone, and the best part of Collins is that no explanation is needed. With Dickens or Melville I have to at least occasionally consult a guide, not so with Collins. There were a couple of sections here I didn't understand what was happening but not to worry, Collins explains everything three times. Just be patient, you'll get it.
While the Count was great my favorite character was the complaining bachelor uncle. It's great that Collins has a rotating narrative and you get to hear a bit from everyone's side, some if too briefly.
A final note on this audiobook version. This is the first audiobook I've listened to in about 15 years and I really enjoyed it. The section told from the Uncle's viewpoint was so well done, a real A++ effort. I found the book on my podcast app on my phone.
This is the second Collins book I've read after The Moonstone, and the best part of Collins is that no explanation is needed. With Dickens or Melville I have to at least occasionally consult a guide, not so with Collins. There were a couple of sections here I didn't understand what was happening but not to worry, Collins explains everything three times. Just be patient, you'll get it.
While the Count was great my favorite character was the complaining bachelor uncle. It's great that Collins has a rotating narrative and you get to hear a bit from everyone's side, some if too briefly.
A final note on this audiobook version. This is the first audiobook I've listened to in about 15 years and I really enjoyed it. The section told from the Uncle's viewpoint was so well done, a real A++ effort. I found the book on my podcast app on my phone.