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a_welch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
epimetheus_b's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best mystery novels I have ever read. Intricately plotted, multi-layered, told through a sequence of first-person narrators with distinct perspectives and voices, this richly deserves the status of a classic.
hoggyked's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cozyreadings's review against another edition
4.5
“You can’t brave public opinion,” I said, “at the command of private feeling.”
This was so much fun! Reading from the written accounts of different spectators regarding the disappearance of the big yellow diamond called the Moonstone (a big yellow diamond stolen in India by a British man), we try to figure out what happened to it and where it ended up.
The main who-did-it aspect wasn't anything new, but seeing how this is widely accepted as the first detective novel written in English, I can imagine that this was a big success when it was being published.
The first written account made me a bit hesitant to continue, since we were reading from a sexist old butler who thinks he is better than any woman he meets. However after a little I came to really like this character, because he was so interesting. He thought he was better than any woman, yet adored the ground his two mistresses walked on. He thought a lot of things were just "hocus-pocus" and refused to believe them, yet wholeheartedly believed in the magical fortune-telling abilities of his favorite book; Robinson Crusoe. All the other characters were fun to read from too, and a lot of the situations or things being sad made me actually laugh out loud. Miss Clack's chapters we're infuriating but hilarious at the same time. However old Mr. Betteredge really wormed his way into my heart.
I won't go in depth about all the characters, but safe to say I really enjoyed this and will be reading more from Wilkie Collins. Luckily the man has written a LOT. However before I move on to his other very famous novel, The Woman in White, I think I'll honor our Mr. Betteredge and read Robinson Crusoe first.
This was so much fun! Reading from the written accounts of different spectators regarding the disappearance of the big yellow diamond called the Moonstone (a big yellow diamond stolen in India by a British man), we try to figure out what happened to it and where it ended up.
The main who-did-it aspect wasn't anything new, but seeing how this is widely accepted as the first detective novel written in English, I can imagine that this was a big success when it was being published.
The first written account made me a bit hesitant to continue, since we were reading from a sexist old butler who thinks he is better than any woman he meets. However after a little I came to really like this character, because he was so interesting. He thought he was better than any woman, yet adored the ground his two mistresses walked on. He thought a lot of things were just "hocus-pocus" and refused to believe them, yet wholeheartedly believed in the magical fortune-telling abilities of his favorite book; Robinson Crusoe. All the other characters were fun to read from too, and a lot of the situations or things being sad made me actually laugh out loud. Miss Clack's chapters we're infuriating but hilarious at the same time. However old Mr. Betteredge really wormed his way into my heart.
I won't go in depth about all the characters, but safe to say I really enjoyed this and will be reading more from Wilkie Collins. Luckily the man has written a LOT. However before I move on to his other very famous novel, The Woman in White, I think I'll honor our Mr. Betteredge and read Robinson Crusoe first.
aido_potato's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one quite a lot despite generally not liking literature from this period. It’s too long, but a lot of fun for what it is.
thesaltybrunette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
vctoriaj's review against another edition
4.0
This was the definition of a yap. I'd re-read if it wasn't so long.
Loved Miss Clack's chapter, what a lol
Loved Miss Clack's chapter, what a lol
dark_library_'s review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75