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Liked It7 of 7 members found this review helpful “Wilkie Collins’ most captivating oeuvre |
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“The first thing that struck me about this classic, gothic mystery novel was how easy and fast it was to read for an old book of substantial size. The second thing was how much I loved some of the characters.
Cellardoor wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Marian Halcombe is a great and unusual heroine, with lots of backbone. I loved her strange ugly/beautiful duplicity and the intensity of her emotions and convictions. Count Fosco is an equally great villain, and I have to agree with him that the two of them, although enemies, deserve each other beautifully (the Count also being ugly/beautiful and extremely determined and clever).
I was much more interested in the relationship between Marian and the Count than in Walter and Laura's, but as I got further into the book, the traditional tragic love story between the two of them drew me in as well.
Very much recommended to anyone who likes a good mystery.”
“I happily re-read this for an English exam. Chillingly written. Well structured; in fact maybe too well structured: makes it seem unreal, the cleverness of its construction.”
sid_rw wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This one scared me.”
Amber H wrote this review 13 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This was very compelling, but far too long. I enjoyed part I very much, but lost interest in the other narrators. I just don't understand why Victorian women marry men they do not love and who give them a weird creepy vibe. Especially when they're really in love with someone else. Perhaps I am not sufficiently empathetic. Anyway, I ended up skimming the last 300 pages or so. But I couldn't just toss it aside. ”
katrina b wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Interesting the whole way through. I would recommend this as a great mystery book.”
daedodawn wrote this review Tuesday, November 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“One of my favorite books of all time. Not a fast read...but SO worth it! The writing and imagery are spectacular.”
Melisa R wrote this review Friday, November 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“‘This the story of what a Woman’s patience can endure, and what a Man’s resolution can achieve.’ (p 3) I love this line! I think that can show of the patience of any woman in the book, from Laura and Marian, to Mrs. Clements, Eleanor, Mrs. Catherick, etc. They each had dealt with their own struggles of life, and accepted what was given upon them. In the end I think that patience eventually does pay off and the women win. Laura was given her life back, Marian was happy the Count was put in his place, Mrs. Clements got her closure on Anne, Eleanor got rid of her conniving husband, and Mrs. Catherick got payment with Percival. The Man’s resolution is fast and acting, but it does persevere if put under the right circumstances.
Memizuki wrote this review Wednesday, October 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The Heroine of the novel can only be Marian, as I found Laura a little too girlie and too “woe-is-me”. I felt like she wasn’t a really strong character and had no back bone. How can someone that has not followed on any actions be considered a heroine? Laura was the damsal in distress saved by Walter and by Marian. She would still have been in the asylum had it not been for Marian’s wits. If there is a true hero it is Marian for selflessly loving her sister.
Sir Percival seems too stupid to know what to have done. He is the puppet of Count Fosco. Fosco is the brains behind the operation of what happened. While he did not intentionally kill Anne Catherick, he was smart enough to proceed with getting the money from Lady Glyde. That is why without a doubt Fosco is the villain of the story. I can not account for the strange behavior of Mr. Fairlie, but if looking at Laura and her character that we are safe to say that the Fairlie family is week of mind.
Now in regards to critics calling Laura, Marian and Walter being called a ménage a troi, I can only say that the arrange is very strange. Obviously at first Walter thought she was good looking, and Fosco apparently adored her. I don’t understand how Marian gave up her entire life for Laura. That is very strange in deed. My suspicion lies in the fact that Marian loves and adores Walter, and maybe that is why she sent him away the first time, a little woman jealousy of her sister. Now living together, how can she leave?!?! It is strange and bizarre and a free nanny to JR.
The fact that the story is told in many different view points, is a great way to play into the novel, because it gives you thoughts, feelings, and emotions through different peoples eyes. At one point you can even assume Fosco is innocent due to Mrs. Michelson’s testimony of what she saw. IN the end who is to say that what Fosco confessed to was 100% correct. The general impression of the books is that it is a great Victorian Romance/Mystery and would not have assumed that was what the book was about going into reading it. Great book and a must read!”
“quite sentimental, but filled with suspense”
Katarzyna S wrote this review Tuesday, October 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
