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A review by tjwallace04
Basil by Wilkie Collins
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What...what did I just read?๐ต
Oh Wilkie. Let's just say...it is obvious why this book is not considered your masterpiece. ๐ But boy oh boy, does this book pack in the melodrama. I read "Basil" for the Victorian Sensation Book Club on Instagram, and "sensational" is another good way to describe this book. Literally everything that happens absolutely begs belief, from the moment the titular main character falls in love-at-first-sight on an omnibus, to the villain's bizarre need to narrate his entire life and every step in the process of his vengeance, to the neat and easy conclusion, tied up like a gift ๐.
Also, Basil is not very likable. I can't tell if Collins wanted to make him likable or not. He's a creepy stalker, selfish (while seeming to think himself generous and fair-minded), and weak. Really, none of the characters are likable other than Clara and (surprise!) Ralph. There are two terrible fathers (three if you count Mannion's father). Perhaps this book could be used as a "what not to do" parenting manual.
I am going on and on like I hated this book, and I actually didn't hate it. I kind of enjoyed reading it BECAUSE it was so ridiculous. I laughed my way through some parts and eye-rolled my way through others, but I never wanted to stop reading. It has already made for some entertaining discussion with the book club, and I look forward to more.
Oh Wilkie. Let's just say...it is obvious why this book is not considered your masterpiece. ๐ But boy oh boy, does this book pack in the melodrama. I read "Basil" for the Victorian Sensation Book Club on Instagram, and "sensational" is another good way to describe this book. Literally everything that happens absolutely begs belief, from the moment the titular main character falls in love-at-first-sight on an omnibus, to the villain's bizarre need to narrate his entire life and every step in the process of his vengeance, to the neat and easy conclusion, tied up like a gift ๐.
Also, Basil is not very likable. I can't tell if Collins wanted to make him likable or not. He's a creepy stalker, selfish (while seeming to think himself generous and fair-minded), and weak. Really, none of the characters are likable other than Clara and (surprise!) Ralph. There are two terrible fathers (three if you count Mannion's father). Perhaps this book could be used as a "what not to do" parenting manual.
I am going on and on like I hated this book, and I actually didn't hate it. I kind of enjoyed reading it BECAUSE it was so ridiculous. I laughed my way through some parts and eye-rolled my way through others, but I never wanted to stop reading. It has already made for some entertaining discussion with the book club, and I look forward to more.