The Woman in White (1859-60) is the first and greatest `Sensation Novel'. Walter Hartright's mysterious midnight encounter with the woman in white draws him into a vortex of crime, poison, kidnapping, and international intrigue. The novel is dominated by two of the finest creations in all Victorian fiction - Marion Halcombe, dark, mannish, yet irresistibly fascinating, and Count Fosco, the sinister and flamboyant `Napoleon of Crime'. A masterwork of intricate construction, The Womanin White sets new standards of suspense and excitement, and achieved sales which topped even those of Dickens, Collins's friend and mentor.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
The Woman in White
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
`with each volume having an introduction by an acknowledged expert, and exhaustive notes, the World's Classics are surely the most desirable series and, all-round, the best value for money' Oxford Times
`Collins's mid-Victorian novel is one of the first, and possibly still the greatest, of all literary thrillers.' The Irish Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
`Collins's mid-Victorian novel is one of the first, and possibly still the greatest, of all literary thrillers.' The Irish Times --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
From the Publisher
"There in the middle of the broad, bright high-road-there, as if it had that moment sprung out of the earth or dropped from the heaven-stood the figure of a solitary woman, dressed from head to foot in white garments." Thus young Walter Hartright first meets the mysterious woman in white in what soon became one of the most popular novels of the nineteenth century. Secrets, mistaken identities, surprise revelations, amnesia, locked rooms and locked asylums, and an unorthodox villain made this mystery thriller an instant success when it first appeared in 1860, and it has continued to enthrall readers ever since. From the hero's foreboding before his arrival at Limmeridge House to the nefarious plot concerning the beautiful Laura, the breathtaking tension of Collin's narrative created a new literary genre of suspense fiction, which profoundly shaped the course of English popular writing. Collins other great mystery, The Moonstone, has been called the finest detective story ever written, but it was this work that so gripped the imagination of the world that Wilkie Collins had his own tombstone inscribed: "Author of The Woman In White. . . "
--This text refers to the
Mass Market Paperback
edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
THIS is the story of what a Woman's patience can denture, and what a Man's resolution can achieve. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
THIS is the story of what a Woman's patience can denture, and what a Man's resolution can achieve. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Paul McGrath
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This one is referred to as a classic, as it should be, but it's really not the kind of book one first thinks of when hearing that word. For one thing, it's in part a mystery, and these generally have a tough time gaining and maintaining critical acceptance; for another, it was initially described as a "sensationalist" novel, and although that term meant something entirely different 130 years ago, the description still applies and probably has something to do with this book not having achieved the status that it deserves.
Whatever, this is a truly terrific read, in every respect, with a great plot, superb characters, and a magnificent writing style. The plot, briefly, has to do with a youthful and somewhat naïve heiress, who, through the manipulations and connivances of alleged friends, is basely used and driven to the brink of despair. Although her situation seems hopeless, she nevertheless has two supporters: her cousin, the superbly portrayed Marian Halcombe; and her former drawing-master--and the primary narrator of the tale--Walter Hartright. Gliding in and out of their lives is the title character, the mysterious and tragic Woman in White. It would not be prudent for me to give away anything else, except to say that about a hundred pages into this novel the plot gallops along at a break-neck pace, with several mysteries, secrets and plot-twists to be unraveled, all of which are completely credible.
The characters are superbly and memorably drawn, particularly the indomitable Count Fosco. He is a large, loud, magnificently-dressed, sweet-talking and irresistible force, constantly playing with his little mice and birds, and disguising in every way the plots and schemes which roil through his brain. His is as vivid a character as one comes across in literature, comparable with the likes of Sir John Falstaff, or Long John Silver.
Marian Holcombe is no less memorable. The forward to the edition that I have just read indicates that following the publication of this novel, dozens of men inquired of Mr. Collins as to whether the character of Miss Holcombe was based on a real person, and if so, could they meet her! This is entirely believable. She is a sweet, fiercely loyal, and extraordinarily brave person. A gem of a character.
Beyond all the this, the novel is very literate, written in the polite, carefully-constructed, meticulously-paced Victorian style. It is a joy to savor and dwell over the many almost-melodious passages in this novel.
Yes, yes, it's escapist entertainment, but so what? Upon completion of a novel like this, one feels as if one has improved oneself in language, literacy, and in writing skill; indeed, in general intelligence. What else could one want from a classic?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By L. Butler
Format:Mass Market Paperback
A friend of mine bought this book for me for Christmas and I was a little on the disappointed side. I thought from the blurb on the back and the time period the book is from that it would be long winded and dull. I was SO wrong! This book is literally non-stop excitement. Every page was chocked full of mystery and suspense and the characters were among the most interesting I've ever read about. Particularly the villain. He is without a doubt amongst the most evil and manipulative characters I've ever read about. This one is a must read!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By D. Spidet
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Everyone has their own criteria for what makes a great novel-for me the best praise is that(in the words of an earlier reviewer) I was desperate for lunchtime at work and hometime so that I could continue reading.I forwent sleep untill I'd finished the book.It took me three days when a similar-length novel can take me months.When you sacrifice things to read a book you KNOW you have a pearl.When you "don't have the time" you have an also-ran.
This book,for me,had everything:Fantastic prose(Austen-like),deep characters,convoluted plot,humour, supense.I shy from naming a favourite character out of fear of disloyalty to the others! I'd previously read Brave New World and it was just so awful with it's two dimensional characters and plot (albeit an outstanding idea)and I think this helped my appreciation of The Woman in White.I'd never even heard of it until recently.I,of course, would recommend you read this and,short of weddings,funerals,etc.be prepared to sacrifice your engagements!
This book,for me,had everything:Fantastic prose(Austen-like),deep characters,convoluted plot,humour, supense.I shy from naming a favourite character out of fear of disloyalty to the others! I'd previously read Brave New World and it was just so awful with it's two dimensional characters and plot (albeit an outstanding idea)and I think this helped my appreciation of The Woman in White.I'd never even heard of it until recently.I,of course, would recommend you read this and,short of weddings,funerals,etc.be prepared to sacrifice your engagements!
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 319 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
good quality
Delivered on January 22nd. Covers are in good shape, but is slightly wrinkled with only slightly used pages, with all pages intact. Look forward to reading this product.
Published 4 months ago by anezkaromuald
5.0 out of 5 stars
Captivating
A wonderful masterfully written mystery with well developed characterizations and a captivating story line.150 years later still fascinating..A must read.
Published 4 months ago by John Gartner &Alison Hegarty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good on many levels
Victorian classic crime drama. As interesting as a study of social mores. Beautifully written but not a quick gratification, often a little arduous to the 21st century mind.
Published 7 months ago by bookweasel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Twisty!
This story is amazingly suspenseful and constantly surprised me at every turn. This is definately not your standard Victorian melodrama. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Adira Rotstein
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mystery, Suspense and Justice!
Even though you want desperatly for the 2 people of this book to end up together, the book is not a romantic style novel at all. Read more
Published 22 months ago by DarcyFan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best 19th century novel I have yet read
This is an excellent novel. There is too much description, of course, but apart from that I can find no fault with it. Read more
Published on Mar 26 2005 by David C Polk
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't Put it Down!
This is a great book. I was completely pulled into the world created by Wilkie Collins. The characters are great, the suspense is fantastic. Read more
Published on Nov 11 2003 by madcarrot
5.0 out of 5 stars
Penguin Classics Edition is an Easy Read
I'll keep this brief. This is an excellent book, as other reviews will tell you. This particular edition, Penguin Classics, is the one I read, and I enjoyed it all the more... Read more
Published on Oct 12 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a story?
Wow! I cannot describe the excitement and the suspense this book had stirred in me. It was painful to have to put the book down when it was time for bed (which was way into the... Read more
Published on Mar 26 2003 by "halongbay"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great mystery novel
I stumbled upon the novels of Wilkie Collins by complete accident. I love mystery books (Agatha Christie being my absolute favorite, but I don't think I am highly original there! Read more
Published on Mar 7 2003
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
