The Woman in White was the first Wilkie Collins book I ever read and the one that turned me into a huge fan of his work. I just wish I had discovered him sooner!
So what is the book about? I won't go into the plot in too much detail, as I don't want to spoil the fun for those of you who haven't read it yet. The story begins with drawing master Walter Hartright's meeting on a lonely London road with a mysterious woman dressed all in white who has escaped from an Asylum. The next day Walter takes up a teaching position at Limmeridge House in Cumberland where he finds that one of his students, Laura Fairlie, bears a striking resemblance to the woman in white...
The novel follows an epistolary style, meaning it is narrated by several different characters in turn, sometimes in the form of journal entries or letters. I love the way Collins gives each of his narrators a unique 'voice' - he really makes the characters come alive. Another thing I love about Wilkie Collins' writing is his sense of humour...some of the scenes involving Laura's hypochondriac uncle Mr Fairlie are hilarious!
Marian Halcombe, Laura Fairlie's sister, is one of my favourite female characters in literature. Contrary to the usual portrayal of 19th century women, she is a brave, intelligent, courageous person who on several occasions puts herself in danger in order to protect her sister Laura. Another great character is Count Fosco, one of the most unusual and memorable villains I've ever encountered in any book!
The Woman in White is an example of the genre known as sensation fiction - including elements such as forgery, identity theft and insanity. Although it was written in the 19th century it's as exciting and gripping as a modern day thriller. It's a long book but there's enough tension and suspense to keep the reader interested right through to the end. There are some classics that are a struggle to read but you persevere with them simply because they're classics and you feel as if you should. The Woman in White does not fall into that category - yes, it's a classic but it's also one of the most readable and enjoyable books I've ever read.
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One of the classics for a reason
This has to be one of my favourite classics novels ever and I've read it over and over again. The writing is exquisite and the plot deviously complex yet easy to understand. It was ahead of its time in many ways - women being controlled by men, finding their place in the world and having to marry for money - but all this is done with flair and taste for mystery and more.A new teacher at a local mansion house sees a mysterious woman in white on the road and wants to find out who she is and what she wants. The story is going to take him to the edge of his sanity and will make him question everything about the new family and the role he has in their lives...this really is a thrilling read and ghostly too but with a harsh look at the treatment of women, marriage and family life.This is one of the novels we had to read at school but one I've read many many times since as it's that good. There's something about novels set in gothic houses, with larger than life characters, characters with devilishness in their hearts and a desire to succeed even if it means everyone else suffers. The walls creak, there's a woman floating along a remote country road dressed in white and.......brrrrrrrThe main female characters here are excellent and carry the novel and story on their own, but each character is painted so vividly, as is the setting, even though it's all fictional , it's one of those stories that has you thinking about it long after you've finished itThe setting is fictional but remote England is one of the main characters too - Limmeridge House is located in Cumberland which used to be part of North West England to the west of Northumberland.A great story with intrigue and mystery at its ghostly core.
