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natashuhh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
tmowery's review against another edition
3.0
Had sections where I was very interested between ones where I was very bored. I was surprised at the distinctness between the different narrative voices since that device was unique at the time. Probably like a 3.5?
pris_asagiri's review against another edition
4.0
"This is the story of what a Woman's patience can endure, and what a Man's resolution can achieve."
Wilkie Collins revolutionized the mystery novel and introduced horror as something set in the present day. Told by a series of narratives by various characters, the reader to held in continual suspense as he slowly reveals while thickening the plot. Just when you think you've figured it all out, he throws the added twist you weren't expecting.
The back of my cover reads: "Masterfully constructed, The Woman in Whtie is dominated by two of the finest creations in all Victorian fiction--Marian Halcombe, dark, mannish, yet irresistibly fascinating, and Count Fosco, the sinister and flamboyant "Napoleon of Crime." Full of surprise and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall readers today."
I could not say it better. If you are a fan of Dickens' Bleak House, you will definitely enjoy this book. It makes you wish there had been a book dedicated solely to the character of Count Fosco.
Wilkie Collins revolutionized the mystery novel and introduced horror as something set in the present day. Told by a series of narratives by various characters, the reader to held in continual suspense as he slowly reveals while thickening the plot. Just when you think you've figured it all out, he throws the added twist you weren't expecting.
The back of my cover reads: "Masterfully constructed, The Woman in Whtie is dominated by two of the finest creations in all Victorian fiction--Marian Halcombe, dark, mannish, yet irresistibly fascinating, and Count Fosco, the sinister and flamboyant "Napoleon of Crime." Full of surprise and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall readers today."
I could not say it better. If you are a fan of Dickens' Bleak House, you will definitely enjoy this book. It makes you wish there had been a book dedicated solely to the character of Count Fosco.
annarosereads's review against another edition
1.0
The coincidences were too much. There was nothing beleivable or intriguing to me in this book.
wutheringreader's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Mr Fairlie. That's it, that's the review.
Okay, no, I'm kidding.
First of all, I just wanted to say that the book did a great job of making me feel connected to the characters. I was really rooting for them throughout the whole book. Walter and Laura are so cute, and Marian is iconic. I'm pretty sure Taylor wrote "Mad Woman" for Anne Catherick. Btw, we deserved to see more of Pesca, bc he was so funny.
I loved how the book really established the tone of each character's narrative. I noticed that Walter's parts had really poetic writing, probably because he's the "artist," Marian's parts sounded really determined and sarcastic, just like her, and Mr Fairlie's part deserves a special shout-out, because what a man. What a gloriously horrific man. I'm obsessed.
"It is the grand misfortune of my life that nobody will let me alone." So true, Mr Fairlie, so true.
"There I was...wanting a quiet morning. Because I wanted a quiet morning, of course Louis came in. It was perfectly natural that I should inquire what the deuce he meant by making his appearance."
"I was very unreasonable - I expected three days of quiet. Of course I didn't get them."
A gem, honestly. Imagine the whole book narrated by him...
I loved the first ~200 pages; it was tightly plotted and thrilling. I thought that I was going to give this book 4 stars, but it kind of dragged on and became a 3-star rating. I took the average and gave it 3.5.
Sir Percival was really annoying and wasn't a good villain, but I guess Count Fosco is supposed to be the villain. Count Fosco is cunning and cruel, but he isn't really anything... new, I guess? He just seems like a pretty basic "I'm-a-mastermind, Walmart-version-of-The-Count-of-Monte-Cristo." His manipulation was really creepy, though, and how Madame Fosco changed once she married him is really sketchy.
A quote I loved, from Walter's part: "Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service."
Basically, I really enjoyed and loved this book, especially the first 200 pages, but it could've been shorter and Sir Percival was really annoying. Walter is the cutest. Oh, and I'm completely obsessed with Mr Fairlie.
Mr Fairlie. That's it, that's the review.
Okay, no, I'm kidding.
First of all, I just wanted to say that the book did a great job of making me feel connected to the characters. I was really rooting for them throughout the whole book. Walter and Laura are so cute, and Marian is iconic. I'm pretty sure Taylor wrote "Mad Woman" for Anne Catherick. Btw, we deserved to see more of Pesca, bc he was so funny.
I loved how the book really established the tone of each character's narrative. I noticed that Walter's parts had really poetic writing, probably because he's the "artist," Marian's parts sounded really determined and sarcastic, just like her, and Mr Fairlie's part deserves a special shout-out, because what a man. What a gloriously horrific man. I'm obsessed.
"It is the grand misfortune of my life that nobody will let me alone." So true, Mr Fairlie, so true.
"There I was...wanting a quiet morning. Because I wanted a quiet morning, of course Louis came in. It was perfectly natural that I should inquire what the deuce he meant by making his appearance."
"I was very unreasonable - I expected three days of quiet. Of course I didn't get them."
A gem, honestly. Imagine the whole book narrated by him...
I loved the first ~200 pages; it was tightly plotted and thrilling. I thought that I was going to give this book 4 stars, but it kind of dragged on and became a 3-star rating. I took the average and gave it 3.5.
Sir Percival was really annoying and wasn't a good villain, but I guess Count Fosco is supposed to be the villain. Count Fosco is cunning and cruel, but he isn't really anything... new, I guess? He just seems like a pretty basic "I'm-a-mastermind, Walmart-version-of-The-Count-of-Monte-Cristo." His manipulation was really creepy, though, and how Madame Fosco changed once she married him is really sketchy.
A quote I loved, from Walter's part: "Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service."
Basically, I really enjoyed and loved this book, especially the first 200 pages, but it could've been shorter and Sir Percival was really annoying. Walter is the cutest. Oh, and I'm completely obsessed with Mr Fairlie.
tsundokutsunami's review against another edition
4.0
This was a long read, but it was necessary to put all the perspectives together. The writing was fantastic and I liked this just as much as I liked the Moonstone! Can't wait to watch the movie versions too!
mandrea's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. A whole lot of fun, and with some really dastardly plot twists. Marian Halcombe is goals.
mayokid's review against another edition
4.0
Another great mystery novel by Wilkie Collins (albeit a long one). The many narrators and chapters took a while to keep track of but eventually became the most important aspect of this novel.
kristenkong's review against another edition
4.0
I chose to read this because Preston and Child have a character called Fosco in their Pendergast books. ? Who is the Woman in White? Her chance meeting with Walter Hartright on the road to London provides the catalyst upon which the entire narrative turns. She is at once and both the key and the puzzle. She is a victim. She is a harbinger. She scares Sir Percival out of his wits. This book offers vivid portrayals of Victorian England, its mannerisms, its wardrobe, its inhibitions, its attitude.
B+
B+