From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Woman in White

Wilkie Collins

Start date: September 1, 2018

Finish date: September 30, 2018

Discussion: Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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Lesser Know/Wilderness Classics

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What Members Thought

Aug 01, 2018 Chrissie rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, classics, england, audible-uk, great-britain, deals, 2018-read, gothic

Completed--why only three stars, when I was so enthused about the book at the beginning? I will explain.

My reaction after listening to a third:
This is so much fun! I r-e-a-l-l-y need to know what is going on; I am super curious. The characters are very well drawn. Then audiobook narration by Ian Holm is very highly recommended. Who ever thought I would like a Gothic mystery?! I am so surprised.

The blend of "Gothic horror and psychological realism" is superb. The words in quotes are from the GR ...more

43 likes · Like · see review

Oct 09, 2008 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: victorians, gothic-romance, librivox, classics, fiction-19th-century, e-books, read-2009, read-2014, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you

The reading of this ebook at Internet Archive wasn't an easy task the first time I've read this book.

The BBC dramatization gave another great opportunity to enjoy this masterpiece written by Wilkie Collinns.

From BBC Radio 4 Extra:
Dramatisation of the Wilkie Collins classic, one of the first mystery novels, first published in 1859.

1/4 A chance meeting with a strange woman dressed in white sparks a mystery.
2/4 Still thinking fondly of Walter Hartright, engaged Laura grows suspicious of her fiance ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Aug 28, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it liked it

Shelves: classics, 1001-books

I had never heard of this book before beginning to explore the classics this year. When I learned that it is considered the first mystery novel I was excited to read it and moved it up my list. I wanted to love this book. Unfortunately I found it to be slow and didn't find enough tension. However, I also believe that I will read it again in my future... giving it a second chance. I am questioning whether it was the book that failed to enchant me or whether I was failing to pay attention. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 14, 2017 Tom Britz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

This book has jumped up to one of my favorite books. The suspense and intrigue that the author used (keep in mind that the book is over one hundred and fifty years old) kept me reading late into the night and when I wasn't reading I was thinking of where the story was going next. Now that is a compliment!
The plot was so intricate and involved and every single thread was connected by books end.
Simply stated: Wow, I was impressed and will be reading more Wilkie Collins. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 12, 2015 Rachel rated it really liked it

I added this book to my TBR pile because it was described as an early example of Gothic Horror combined with psychological realism. The description is spot on. I started reading with the expectation of a spooky little Victorian thriller. What I got was over 600 pages of intrigue, madness, and of course, a love story. The Woman in White is a surprising work of fiction that needs to be made into a PBS miniseries, stat.

Though the story is centered around the fortunes (and misfortunes) of Laura Fair ...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Ellen Librarian rated it really liked it

I thought this would be some long, gothic ghost story but it's more like a Victorian detective novel. Unlike most Victorian novels, this one has no long, boring parts. There's always something of interest going on, always a new twist or turn.

I did get a little lost on the details as I read this book over a very long period of time but it almost doesn't matter. ...more

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Sep 27, 2011 Debbie Hughes rated it it was amazing

Awesome...and sooooo well written. But if you don't like words..you won't like it.
It is very very descriptive..which I love.
I enjoyed all the characters..all of them..the good, the bad, the crazy!
I think this is a classic...If it isn't ..it should be.
...more

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