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sarahcoller's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was another fun read by Wilkie Collins --- even though the ending is very abrupt. Even though there's really not any explanation for the ultimate creepy event. Even though we don't really understand the role of the courier. Even though there are enough plot holes to crumble a palace-turned-hotel. Even though... he's still one of my favorites.
Almost last line: <i>"Let it be recorded that Mrs. ____________ never again attempted to persuade her husband into betraying his secrets. Other men's wives, hearing of this extraordinary conduct... naturally regarded her with compassionate contempt (and) as 'rather old-fashioned'."</i>
Hahahahahaha!
One thing I especially love about Collins is his use of form. He often tells his stories with multiple narrators. With this one, we get the third person narrator but it is still told in such a way as to think we are getting different points of view. Then, to top it all, the entire part of the story that had been hidden from us throughout is told near the end in the form of a manuscript for a play. Genius.
Almost last line: <i>"Let it be recorded that Mrs. ____________ never again attempted to persuade her husband into betraying his secrets. Other men's wives, hearing of this extraordinary conduct... naturally regarded her with compassionate contempt (and) as 'rather old-fashioned'."</i>
Hahahahahaha!
One thing I especially love about Collins is his use of form. He often tells his stories with multiple narrators. With this one, we get the third person narrator but it is still told in such a way as to think we are getting different points of view. Then, to top it all, the entire part of the story that had been hidden from us throughout is told near the end in the form of a manuscript for a play. Genius.
lilykennedy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dark_library_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
evelutza's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
quantum_singularity's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, this would have been three stars for not really landing on the side of paranormal explained OR supernatural.
But then Collins is like, oh, u wanna know what the mystery was? How about u tell me the mysteries of life and death huh? Are ghosts real? U tell me, bitch
And I had to give an extra star for being a shitlord who argues that a bug is a feature and tbh same
But then Collins is like, oh, u wanna know what the mystery was? How about u tell me the mysteries of life and death huh? Are ghosts real? U tell me, bitch
And I had to give an extra star for being a shitlord who argues that a bug is a feature and tbh same
raelovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
The Haunted Hotel was OK. I wasn't wowed. I enjoyed that the hotel was in Venice because I went earlier this month and fell in love with the place. Luckily the place I stayed didn't formerly house any of my dead relatives or generate any eerie bad smells.
I would describe the story and writing as quintessentially Victorian through and through. The sort of tale that would probably be scarier if you were reading it at a time before electric lighting.
This was my first Wilkie Collins, and not his most famous work, so I will reserve judgement on his writing until I've explored The Woman in White.
I would describe the story and writing as quintessentially Victorian through and through. The sort of tale that would probably be scarier if you were reading it at a time before electric lighting.
This was my first Wilkie Collins, and not his most famous work, so I will reserve judgement on his writing until I've explored The Woman in White.
di_2010's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
onako's review against another edition
3.0
Wilkie was one of the first writers of thrillers and crime novels and he ventured towards paranormal. Therefore he should be read by all those who like these genres at least as a sign of respect.
This book, though, is not one of the best. To enjoy his writing at its best read “The Moonstone”.
This book, though, is not one of the best. To enjoy his writing at its best read “The Moonstone”.
luciasmirin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0