Buddy Read 'No Name' by Wilkie Collins

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Nope not jealous. She thinks Frank is below her, in status.

Boy was Norah upset with Magdalen portraying her as Julia in the play! and caught Frank and her in the Garden!

[María]

Trisha wrote: "Mrs Wragge makes me laugh & I'm wondering if she really is as silly as she seems to be or if some of her behaviour is just a reaction to her husband's treatment."

The 'omelette' moment was epic!

I'm currently in the middle of scene 3 and my impression about her is that she's got some kind of mental disability (maybe I'm wrong or maybe Collins never specifies that, I'll have to wait and see) it's caught my attention how she talks about herself in plural.

I've got the feeling that captain Wragge is going to become an obstacle for Magdalen somehow.

And about the sisters, I've liked the little moment when Magdalen finds Norah and the two little girls in the park. Poor Norah!

[Tr1sha]

María wrote: "Trisha wrote: "Mrs Wragge makes me laugh & I'm wondering if she really is as silly as she seems to be or if some of her behaviour is just a reaction to her husband's treatment."

The 'omelette' mom..."

I agree - Mrs Wragge has some problems, but I think her husband makes her worse. He seems to bully her & get her very flustered. She responds better when people are kind to her.

[María]

Trisha wrote: "María wrote: "Trisha wrote: "I think her husband makes her worse. He seems to bully her & get her very flustered. She responds better when people are kind to her. "

"

Absolutely.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Aldborough is described so well that you can picture the villas and the church with the ships as being a very charming area of England.

The way Captain Wragge conducted himself around his wife was like she was a nuisance to him in the plot of helping Magdalen and a way to his riches in her demise.

Kirke was taken aback when he realized what was happening with what appeared to be the last steps of a woman's life and the realization of who that woman was shocking to him. He did what any good person would do with her grave illness and righted the situation for the one who with one look set his heart in love.

In the end I felt differently towards Magdalen and what she had put herself through to almost the end of her life. Her recollection of the past could hinder her getting well. Finally a letter from Norah and Miss Garth. She realizes the feelings between her and Kirke. The Trust destroyed and life begins.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

Mr and Mrs Vanstone were wonderfully in love and a sweet couple, the loss of Mr Vanstone was devastating for the Mrs and each handled his loss differently. The life for the Mrs and baby at the end was heartbreaking.

"They are left dependent," Mr Pendril said, at last, "on the justice and the mercy of a stranger."

I ended up not appreciating some of Magdalen's antics, and who all she involved in trying to succeed in getting the family inheritance back.

Loved Norah and Miss Garth!

At the end, the Novel does not leave me hanging. Which sometimes is what makes a tale linger with me for a while, in thoughts of what and why or yes that could be why.

I did enjoy my first Wilkie Collins read.

[María]

Just finished it!

I've really enjoyed it though scene four had its ups and downs for me: sometimes I found myself reading without understanding what was going on because of boredom. Luckily, the fifth scene got interesting again.

--SPOILERS FROM THE ENDING--

I agree with you both, I've loved Norah and the fact that, by staying in the 'good side' has achieved what her sister failed to by taking those bad decisions. I'm glad she and George got together in the end. At some point, I thought Magdalen would ruin their potential relationship somehow.

I've also liked Collins' writing and how he managed to keep me intrigued until almost the very end. I didn't know how Magdalen would end up and I always kept making theories about her ending as I read. In the end, I'm happy with her ending (it's been soooo cute!) but I have mixed feelings about her character and everything she's done.

By the way, I never thought I would say this, but I prefer Captain Wragge over Frank! What an idiot!

In conclusion (this sounds like a High School essay ;P) I'm glad I've read this book and surely I'll repeat with the author in the future.

PS. If you want to comment anything about the novel, you know what to do!

[Tr1sha]

María wrote: "Just finished it!

I've really enjoyed it though scene four had its ups and downs for me: sometimes I found myself reading without understanding what was going on because of boredom. Luckily, the f..."

Well done, Maria, I'm glad you finished it. I agree with your comments too. There were some parts of the book that I found a bit boring, though it was easier to read when I had plenty of time for it. When I stopped reading it, I found it much harder to get back into the story. But I liked the author & will read more of his books. Thank you so much for suggesting this buddy read, it was really interesting to share the book with you.

[Lesle, Appalachain Bibliophile]

I think all three of us had similar feelings.
Your comments are spot on! I had issues of falling asleep when reading the boring sections and have to reread and still could not get into the read.

I enjoyed the mystery of never knowing what Magdalen was up to. Did not care for some of her stunts and in the end almost did her in.

A tale of two outcast women by means out of their control.

Thank you Maria for the suggestion. I too will look into another read by Collins in the future.

[María]

You're welcome!
Thanks to you too, I'm glad you've enjoyed the book!