Questions About Armadale

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Answered Questions (3)

Does Goodreads really expect me to heed a book recommendation that begins the plot summary with: "The novel has a convoluted plot about two distant cousins both named Allan Armadale"? I want a better reason to pick up a book than that, especially with my record as a serial abandoner of "The Woman in White."

Mbuye Actually a lot of marvellous literature is lost to us by recommendations that are biased one way or another. Sometimes I find it easier to listen to a…moreActually a lot of marvellous literature is lost to us by recommendations that are biased one way or another. Sometimes I find it easier to listen to a book when I am not able to read it. Try listening to 'The Woman in White' or 'Armadale' instead, and you might actually find out what you've missed!
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Does any one else think that Rufus Sewell would make a good Midwinter? Other candidates?

Liz M I think Luke Pasqualino http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3297698/ fits him pretty well. Looks wise (not acting!) I was thinking of someone like Joe Jonas. M…moreI think Luke Pasqualino http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3297698/ fits him pretty well. Looks wise (not acting!) I was thinking of someone like Joe Jonas. Midwinter should look like a foreigner, and Sewell fits too well as an Englishman. (less)

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Can somebody please recommend me more books with convoluted plots like this? I am obsessed.

Mbuye if you are obsessed with complicated plots, then read more Wilkie Collins. His novels are so twisted and complicated that the sad result is that many …moreif you are obsessed with complicated plots, then read more Wilkie Collins. His novels are so twisted and complicated that the sad result is that many people were, and still are, put off reading his books. Wilkie Collins is the original creator of the sensation novel, and he had a very able successor in Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Don't expect realism from either. For sheer melodrama, you can't beat these two.

If you like complicated plots that are also historical, try George Payne Rainsford James. He lived slightly before Thackeray, Dickens and Wilkie Collins, dying in 1860. His stories often involve actual historical people, although the plots themselves are fiction, except in the famous case of Lady Arabella Stuart.

The other author for complicated plots, but to me a greater novelist than even Collins, is Anthony Trollope. The plots are complicated all right, but there is greater realism and the characterisation is good. But. They are too long and very very prosy.

Finally, all these writers are classic authors, and their works are all in the public domain. They are sometimes better as audiobooks, and indeed in their own day, families often listened to someone reading aloud from such books.

I hope this helps. Happy reading!
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Unanswered Questions (2)

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Where did the description above come from--appears designed to make me flee this book entirely?

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