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lizzelovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I wrestled with what to give this book for many reasons, and finally landed on 3.75⭐️s.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
First and foremost, being the typecast racism of the 'villains'. With a modern eye it is hard to see the three Indians as anything other than countrymen seeking a violent process of cultural restoration, at a great cost to themselves.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
I do not doubt that this is a classic text, made to be peeled apart layer by layer. I also don't doubt that this was a well received piece at the time it was written. However, as a modern reader, there were a few things that in general, made this story less enjoyable.
Add in the sexism and bible bashing common with Victorian literature, and you'll know why I was annoyed!
That said, upon reading more into Collins, it appears that the prologue of this narrative was in fact written in subtle condemnation of the British Empire and their thievery of artifacts from other countries.
Dubbed as "the first of English detective novels", I will say that the mystery of the Moonstone did leave me guessing, and that I can see why the story has been so celebrated.
While I do recommend this book as a read, I also recommend taking it with a pinch of salt and breathing through the frustration of sexism, racism and Christian superiority.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Religious bigotry
tmickey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Chronic illness
kerrence30's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Like any whodunnit the cast is varied as to give a wide scope of possibility. Don’t be fooled into thinking this means the disparities in the cast are accepted by eachother. Enough twists and turns to make you second guess the ending, and enough depth to the main characters to interest. Be warned due to the time this was written there is some horrible casual racism and sexism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug use, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Colonisation
Minor: Pregnancy
ginameix's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: War
Instances of sexism, classism, and racism are of the time for Victorian England and at times the book is even less racist and sexist than its contemporaries.