Woman in White (Tales of Mystery & the Supernatural)

Overall, I enjoyed the book; the demands on my time (and accompanying mental exhaustion) from COVID-induced teaching (entirely online, then hybrid, and then in-person) account for the unusually long sojourn in these pages; it was not lack of interest or struggle with the text. I have always enjoyed mysteries but somehow was not aware of this writer until a year or so ago, thanks to a monthly book box subscription.TIP: skip the introduction by Dr. Scott Brewster until after you have read the novel, unless you want spoilers. (The Preface to both the 1860 and 1861 editions are fine, as is the Preamble. No spoilers there.) It is always my custom to begin at the beginning of a book and read straight through, but when I realized, only a few pages in, that this introduction was revealing and analyzing key points of the plot, I left it and only returned after completing the body of the text.Overall, I recommend the novel, unless you happen to be lacking greatly in patience; it clocks in at 498 pages in my copy. That said, there were parts that dragged a bit for me. This is a novel told, in turn, as the story progresses, by various characters. As was wont to be the case in novels of this era, the heroine and most of her female counterparts express themselves in excessively emotional terms, overflowing with sentiments and exclamations of weaker constitutions — unless they are old and bitter. For all that she is a seemingly uncommon woman (and therefore, when coupled with her orphaned status and lack of a dowry, apparently unlikely to attract a suitor), Marian Halcombe wore out her welcome with me at times through excess of emotion. (Perhaps it is the knowledge that the majority of such 19th-century women sprang from the minds of male writers who were raised in a society that relegated women to these often-idiotic roles that curtails my patience with the inanity of such profusions?) At any rate, after a short break, I was ready to resume the narrative through the pages of her diary. Had it been anywhere near as irritating and as much of a slog as the 1740 novel “Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded” by Samuel Richardson, I would never have finished even half of it. I am thankful to say, although Laura’s tone called to mind that of Pamela at times, the novel itself does not compare…and may I never find another that does. I was obliged to finish that one for an undergraduate course in 18th century literature, and I did not enjoy a moment of it. (Perhaps it is well that no section of the novel is narrated by Laura, although so much of the tale revolves around her; we only have her voice as dialogue in the accounts of Halcombe and Hartright.) But I digress…Although the point and means on which the conflict of the plot turns became apparent to me well before its reveal (as well as much — but not the entirety— of the resolution of said conflict), the story is well-written…over-wrought feminine emotions and constitutions aside. I did feel, after the copious pages used to arrive at the resolution, that the final loose end of the conflict was dealt with a tad too quickly, neatly, and painlessly, but perhaps there was no other option as the author saw it. As this was Collins’s “first excursion” into the genre of mystery (or “sensational fiction”), I am interested to see what followed in his other works.

I love Woman in White by Wilkie Collins! It is a great read, especially for anyone into Victorian literature. I am only giving it 4 stars because the cover of the book is not made well. The book has been on my coffee table and after 5 days of reading it, the grey plastic that covers the book is peeling away. I guess you get what you pay for, but I want others to know that this will happen. Mind you, I have not taken the book anywhere, nor has the book been damaged by anyone/anything. This has developed simply by reading for a few hours and placing it on a table.

This book is wonderful. Not only is the story amazing but this edition in particular is designed well and well thought out.

A mesmerizing long mystery from the Victorian era that pairs well with "The Moonstone" by the same author. The story told from multiple points of view. Read very slowly to savor the language and varying mindsets of the different narrators. Both books are masterpieces of fiction. Surprised that I was so late to discover them while looking for something else that I had incorrectly attributed to Collins.

Great book. Supposedly the first mystery novel. Read it. You won't regret it!

Fast. On time, good quality

Great book, hard to put down.

Roger Rees (Nicholas Nicholby, The West Wing, Cheers) heads a strong troop of actors who bring so much life to The Woman in White, that this audio book is (in some ways) superior to simply reading the book. Listening to these characters tell their stories, one hears the hilarious shading, the omonious forboding, and insight and wit that you might otherwise miss. I can't think of the last time I enjoyed a classic on audio so much. Heard this way, The Woman in White is almost impossible to put down (or shut off.) It's like a radio version of a Masterpiece Theatre series--but without the editing.The Woman in White, is an unusual Victorian novel as the story is told by a series of narrators, each of whom was present during a particular section of the story. Often the reader knows more about what is happening, than the person narrating the story, and the perspective of a given character gives the reader an idea of what it would be like to be faced with such a wierd situation. Roger Rees and his fellow actors bring their voices to life so realistically that you hear every nuance what is being said from the earnest narrative of the drawing master, Walter Hartright, to the creepy intonations of Count Fosco, to the intelligent and strong Marian Halcombe (surely one of the greatest female characters in English literature.) Funniest of all is the often overlooked Mr. Fairlie, a recluse and invalid who tells his story unwillingly as he really hates to be bothered doing anything at all. Fairlie gives off a David Sedarious style of humour is so sly and witty that it would be easy to miss on the page--but is easy to absorb when listening.I do hope lots of people read this review and give this audio a try. It is well worth it!

Wilkie Collins is renowned from his era as a master of mystery and suspense and The Woman in White certainly proves that mastery.Writing in the style of composite narratives from different pens, Collins compiles `history' and testimony to construct a complete narrative of a tale full of twists and turns, colourful characters and elaborate schemes. There is not a part of this novel that is not relevant in some way, not a name that has no part to play.Collins draws on his legal experience to sift out irrelevance and tells us more than once that only those details required by the case in point are here told. The result is that readers don't lose interest and don't lose the thread despite the near 500 page length. It certainly doesn't feel like 500 pages when it reaches its satisfying conclusion.It's a tale that could still be true 150 years after its publication - something that many people now pay insurances against - making it all the more engaging. Who is not just slightly paranoid about what other people might do that could send our lives spiralling out of control?I can't think of a single negative point to make about this book. I only wish Collins were around to make book-signing tours - I'd love a signed copy!

Happy. Thanks.

I found this book a very good read, it held my attention all the way through and inspired me to buy more of this authors work.

The first 100 pages were tough going but once I adapted to the style of writing I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was rewarding by the end. The characters are great, especially the dastardly Count Fosco. It's a shame Dickens over-shadowed Wilkie Collins books. If you liked this, try Dan Simmons's Drood.

This is definitely old school and the writing language and style is dated in many ways, with loads of telling and formalities of voice. But, there's also a strong character development and despite it's length it kept me intrigued and reading avidly to the end. Can see that some might find it a slog but I enjoyed it.