No Name - Buddy read

[Pink]

This is the thread for the June 2020 buddy read of No Name by Wilkie Collins. Everyone is welcome to join in :)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Thank you for setting this up, Pink. Looking forward to this!

[Petra]

Thanks, Pink!
Sara, I'm also looking forward to this read and will be ready to start in June.

[Petra]

Are we ready for Monday? Who's joining in?

I will finish my current book either today or tomorrow and will then start on No Name. Perfect timing for our June start Buddy Read.

From Wikipedia:
"No Name is a novel by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1862. Illegitimacy is a major theme of the novel. It was originally serialised in Charles Dickens' magazine All the Year Round before book publication."

I find that the serialized novels have tiny "cliff hangers" throughout, which gives them a feeling of tension and anticipation throughout the book. I'm looking forward to some of that in this book.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Probably not able to start on Monday, but hoping for Tuesday. I also like the format the Victorians used, which was a result of the serialization.

[Emily]

I’m gonna try to join in, but my reading time is a little limited these days with a 9 month old, so hopefully I can keep up!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Go at your own pace, Emily. I can see how a 9 month old might complicate things. 🙂

[Petra]

Emily, there's no schedule here. I'm a fairly slow reader, which is why I try to start on time.
Take things at your available pace. It's best to enjoy the story.

[Nidhi]

As I started this book in February and then left it , I will re start from chapter 6. Till now the story is interesting and I like narration, I liked The Moonstone also. Only this book is long.
Happy Reading everyone 😀

[Petra]

Nidhi, The Moonstone was the first book by Wilkie Collins that I read. I was hooked on his writing from the get-go.

I'm glad that you have enjoyed No Name's beginning. I look forward to starting any day now.

[Franky]

This is one of my favorite Wilkie Collins books and I love his stuff. Read it years back. I'm in for this if I can find my copy of my book (so many books....though...)

[Philina]

I‘ve started reading on Friday and like the writing style very much! No time for a lot of reading on the weekend, though.

[Annette]

This buddy read is too good to pass up! Looking forward to it!

[Veronique]

I’d like to start it sometime this week. The Woman in White is one of my favourite books ever, and The Moonstone was very good too. Looking forward to this one :O)

[Terry]

If I get a lot done, I may be able to add this one later in the month.

[Franky]

Veronique wrote: "I’d like to start it sometime this week. The Woman in White is one of my favourite books ever, and The Moonstone was very good too. Looking forward to this one :O)"

Those were the first two I read from Collins years ago and then my third was this one :) I was hooked on Collins' style and the way he can construct a plot.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I am finally beginning this one tonight.

[Annette]

I got a kindle serialized version and am enjoying it in bits. It is supposed to be as originally published but with editorial corrections.

[Petra]

Sara, I'm glad you are just starting. I have yet to start but plan to today or tomorrow.
Sorry, we've been spending time outdoors in the garden a lot and I haven't been reading much at all. It's raining this week, so I should (theoretically) have the time. I'm looking forward to a Wilkie Collins read again.

[Petra]

Annette, I'm glad you are enjoying the book. Reading it in segments, as close to originally written must be fun.

Anyone else reading this already or almost ready to jump in and start?

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I am now nine chapters in and thoroughly enjoying it. I was afraid reading two Victorian novels at the same time might be confusing, but it is not because this one has nothing in common with David Copperfield.

Petra--I would say spending time outdoors sounds lovely. As cooped up as we have been this spring, a garden is just the place I would love to be.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Chapters 1-10: (view spoiler)[Wow, I was not expecting that. I had become quite fond of Mr. Vanstone and I love his relationship with Magdalene. I fear she will take this misfortune very hard. I cannot but think this is going to affect her future marriage. Collins has built the mystery around the trip to London, the conversation with Frank's father, the urgent letter to the lawyer, and something that Mr. Vanstone was obviously hiding from his family. In the first 15% of this novel, I have been completely pulled into this novel and its characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Chapters 11-End of the First Scene: (view spoiler)[What a terrible set of circumstances, and how cruel for these girls. I think both the Uncle and his son would do well to beware of Magdalene. This might be The Count of Monte Cristo in female form. I'm sure we are meant to admire Norah more, she is more docile and womanly, but Magdalene has my admiration right now, she will fight back against this injustice and the cruelty of the uncle she has never seen. (hide spoiler)]

[Franky]

Sara wrote: "Chapters 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

Sara, this is my second time reading and I'm still intrigued. I'm up to this point as well. Things are quite "hush, hush" and secretive so it's intriguing to see what Collins is setting up.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

He does a great job of layering suspense into seemingly ordinary family life.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I must say I am surprised to find myself liking Captain Wragge, which would not have seemed likely when he was first introduced. I am also noticing far more than with any other of Collins' novels that I have read, the influence of Charles Dickens. Perhaps it is because I am also reading David Copperfield and have the direct comparison to make instead of the remembered one.

The humor is terrific and both Wragge and Mrs. Wragge have made me laugh.

[Veronique]

I need to catch up! LOL

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I am finding it very hard to put down at this point, Vero. Come and talk with me about it!

[Veronique]

Sara wrote: "I am finding it very hard to put down at this point, Vero. Come and talk with me about it!"

:O) you’re selling it sooooo well! Hopefully I'll catch up during this weekend. My reading is all over the place, not following what I have planned, naturally...

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I can sympathize. Mine is as well...I was intending to read this much more slowly and fit in some other reading between, but can't divorce my mind from this one to read the others...so!

[Veronique]

Yes, but that is fun when it happens! I had it when I read Thorn Birds, and The Luminaries :O)

[Petra]

Sara wrote: "He does a great job of layering suspense into seemingly ordinary family life."

I've begun reading and am at Chapter 5. I hope to catch up quickly.

I was just coming here to say the same thing, Sara. In the first 4 chapters, Collins has managed to add intrigue, mystery and suspense into this ordinary family.
He's made me feel bad for the poor girls and I don't even know if or what may happen to them. They go about their days as usual, yet we feel that a black cloud is forming over their heads. We just don't know what it is.....or if it's truly there.

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Exactly, Petra. It is more a mood that is there than the particular events that are going on.

[Petra]

Sara wrote: "Chapters 1-10: [spoilers removed]"

Sara, thank you for putting the chapter numbers for the spoiler at the top of the post. That allows us to know when we can take a peek.

I have finished Chapter 10:
(view spoiler)[Wow! This story has really pulled me in. So many mysteries and intrigues.
Mr. Vanstone's death was a surprise. There's something very mysterious in his actions since seeing Mr. Clare......well, really, since the quick visit to London at the beginning of this book. (hide spoiler)]

So far, this is a wonderful story. Wilkie Collins never disappoints me (at least, not yet).

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Petra (view spoiler)[All his actions are quite mysterious. We know there is something we don't know, but not a single hint of what it could be. (hide spoiler)]

[Petra]

Also: (view spoiler)[I really like Magdalene. I'm a bit concerned about her choice of husband. It could be a misdirection by Wilkie Collins, but Frank seems so lost for direction. I'm not sure whether he's still young (I floundered a bit with direction at 20) or whether he's looking for a wife with money so that he can live a life of ease.

Norah is a bit of a prude. I did wonder why she hasn't married. She's, what?..... 27-ish? No one seems concerned on that issue.

And poor Mrs. Vanstone.....having a baby when her youngest is 17 already. Yikes! Talk about starting over. Just when you thought the raising of children was successfully maneuvered....here comes another one. LOL.
Now there's the added stress and sorry of raising a child without its father. So sad. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Petra: (view spoiler)[Frank's own father makes me laugh. He clearly sees little to recommend his son in any way.

Magdalene and Mr. Vanstone are the stand out characters. Norah is almost an unknown. I agree that I would be in tears if I were Mrs. Vanstone. Who wants to have a 17 year gap between children--half of that would be too much. (hide spoiler)]

[Petra]

Sara: (view spoiler)[ Mr. Clare is a cantankerous man. He makes me laugh, too. He's very strange about his sons. It would be difficult to be focussed or have self-confidence with such an upbringing. It's why I give Frank the benefit of the doubt, despite his apparent weaknesses. It may be that his upbringing and the constant discouragement from his father has made him distrust himself, which makes him seem weak in the story (at this point....things might change....he's young yet). (hide spoiler)]

Chapers 11-13: (view spoiler)[Wow! (when will I stop staying this in this book???!!!!!!) Wilkie Collins has certainly spun a tale.
These three chapters are so sad and so telling. What a story! Poor Mr. & Mrs Vanstone! (hide spoiler)]

ETA: (view spoiler)[My guess is that the rustling leaves outside the window was Magdalen listening in on the story. The poor girl. What a way to find out. (if I'm correct, that is) (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Petra: Does indeed have the WOW factor. (view spoiler)[Can you imagine this horrid situation and how everyone must feel. Magdalene was the reason for the delay, and therefore the reason her father was on the train...she has that psychological strain to deal with. So much loss, so quickly and then falling under the thumb of a man you do not know but who likely will hate you. And, the bitter unfairness of the situation--in trying to set right a previous wrong, Mr. Vanstone has stumbled into the worst kind of ironic tragedy. His final letter is heart-wrenching. (hide spoiler)]

[Petra]

Sara: (view spoiler)[ She was also responsible for her father's discovery that his will was now invalid. He would not have learned that if not for her wish to marry and that would have left the girls in this situation regardless. In a way, her actions started to put thing right, as per her parents' wishes.
Had Fate not intervened, Magdalen would have saved both sisters' futures. It's a matter of "good intentions gone bad" as far as this situation is concerned. The father meant to do good by his girls, then the accident happened.

The entire story is so sad, right from the beginning. It's so sad that a divorce couldn't be worked out at the start. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14:
(view spoiler)[Sara, I found the sisters both very strong through the discovery of their situation. Why would Miss Garth feel that Magdelan's reactions may tend to indicate that she could veer towards darkness? Guilt? Why does Norah's reaction cause Miss Garth to elevate her in her mind's eye?
I found both girls solid. I think they took the news better than I would have. Perhaps they don't yet understand all the repercussions that could happen?
I was surprised that Miss Garth re-evaluated her feelings and thoughts about the two girls' personalities on how they reacted to the news. I'm not sure I understand why. (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, Old School Classics]

I agree, that puzzled me as well. (view spoiler)[Collins says at one point that Magdalene is struggling between good and evil in her reaction, and I found her reaction to be more likely than Norah's. I think this is the Victorian mindset that a lady should maintain her composure and silently accept whatever happens to her. Magdalene is not the silent type. She might have to accept the law, but she isn't going to take it lying down. (hide spoiler)]

[Veronique]

Sara wrote: "I must say I am surprised to find myself liking Captain Wragge, which would not have seemed likely when he was first introduced. I am also noticing far more than with any other of Collins' novels t..."

After fitful starts (not because of the book), I’m finally in! Reached chapter 4 and enjoying it already. The way Collins describes people! I loved the way he introduces Captain Wragge. Had me smiling! Here is an interesting character, definitely someone important, but is he ‘good’ or ‘bad’ :O)

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Happy you have started, Vero. Collins pulls you in pretty quickly in this book.

I'm sorry I didn't put that comment in spoilers. Collins gives us several characters that are hard to pigeonhole. I think Frank is also one of those. Who is right about him, Mr. Vanstone or his father?

[Veronique]

Oh don’t worry. It’s right at the beginning anyway :O)

[Franky]

I'm about half way through and enjoying it as much as my first time reading it. I like the eccentricity of the characters and how Collins interweaves plot and conflict so seamlessly.

(view spoiler)[ I'm also enjoying the chess match between Magdalen/Captain Wragge and Mrs. LeCount/Noel Vanstone...entertaining stuff (hide spoiler)]

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Franky, I love your comparison to a chess match.

[Emily]

I finally made it up to the end of the first scene.
(view spoiler)[it seems crazy to me that Mr. Vanstone's letter to his lawyer clearly stating that he was planning to create a new will couldn't be taken to the courts to fight for the daughters to get something. but then I guess there wouldn't be a story. and I also don't know if that was even a possibility in Victorian England.

I also think that Magdalen is planning some type of revenge on her uncle. She was clearly trying to get a picture of exactly how evil he was, probably to give her motivation to go through with what she has planned. (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

Finished this weekend! Overall I really enjoyed this book. What did people think of the ending?

(view spoiler)[I figured that Magdalen and the captain would end up getting married as soon as they first saw each other in Aldborough. I thought it was a little bit of a stretch though how he just happened to find her when she was getting the boot from her lodgings. It also felt a bit in the last section like I was suddenly transferred into a Jane Austen novel. Not necessarily a bad thing, I just felt like it was very different from the rest of the book! (hide spoiler)]

[Annette]

I am reading the pieces like they were published so only a little at a time then I had to put it aside to catch up with my Live Book Group. I am about to start the Third Scene. Based on what has happened so far, there is no telling where Collins will take the tale. Enjoying it!

[Sara, Old School Classics]

Emily wrote: "Finished this weekend! Overall I really enjoyed this book. What did people think of the ending?

[spoilers removed]"

I agree that much of the end depends upon coincidences which seem implausible, and yet I didn't mind them at all. Worse things than ending up in a Jane Austen novel. lol. Glad you enjoyed it. I did.