BOOK REVIEW: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

First line:"This is the story of what a Woman's patience can endure, and what a Man's resolution can achieve."

I've really waited too long to write a proper review for The Woman in White. I found it difficult to write a synopsis because the plot is quite intricate, and I didn't take very many notes while reading this large tome. So I offer up a few comments that might provide a small sense of the novel and act as a reminder to my future self that I did indeed read it even though I can't remember a thing about it!

Collins has written strongly developed characters, an intricate and well developed plot, a clever use of narrative, and a wonderfully suspenseful novel. All of these elements, plus the social critique that runs throughout, kept me reading this 600+ page book. The Victorian melodrama was a bit much, but the positives more than compensated for my low tolerance for melodrama.

Favorite quote: "The best men are not consistent in good -- why should the worst men be consistent in evil?"
This quote refers to the villainous Count Fosco, one of the most disturbing characters in literature.

Interesting tidbit: The novel is believed to be loosely based on an actual court case.

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Note to other reviewers: If you've written a review for this book, please let me know by posting the permanent URL for your review in the comments. I'll be happy to add a link to your review with my post.

Also reviewed at:
Bookfest (Queen of Carrots)
Framed and Booked (review is not quite half way down the list of 2007 book reviews)
Trish's Reading Nook
Musings of a Bookish Kitty (Literary Feline)
Things Mean a Lot (Nymeth)