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The Woman in White


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A mystery novel of the
'sensation' genre,
published in 1860.

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Does anyone know where I can find them...I've searched far and wide The book is by Wilkie Collins (The Woman in White)

Posted By Formless at Mon 9 Apr 2007, 11:41 PM in The Woman in White || 0 Replies

First Response

Walter Hartright's narrative Hippolyta: This is the silliest stuff that ever I heard. Theseus: The best in this kind are but shadows, and the worst are no worse, if imagination amend them. :lol: Like Theseus, I am having to do a certain amount of 'amendment' to get enjoyment out of this novel. I notice the OU in the UK are using this as an example of the 'sensational' in literature - and I do see their point - my overall impression is of a superficial emotional line, written 'loud'. There are a number of ‘stock’ characters designed to be instantly identifiable – the poor madwoman, driven crazy, most likely, by some wicked man – certainly persecuted by him. Jane Eyre’s attic dweller at least went mad because of a genetic defect. An impotent relation – uncle by preference - so self-absorbed as to become wraith-like, and possibly malevolent. Shady servant in the background too. The young hero, spurned in love for lack of good timing – if only he had come sooner. We just know he is good-looking – though not handsome. What I am not sure of is how ‘stock ’these characters were at the time of writing. Melodrama (theatrical) thrived on the stockiness of its characters – and there is a great appeal in this instantaneous understanding – depth of emotion comes from the accompanying music – but the character tells you which emotion it is. And there has to be a comic element – foreign or working class. We’ve already had the ‘silly little man’, and the stupid child – and the milkmaid. Was it Tennyson who said we all need some melodrama in our lives? As for its reputation as the first detective novel - well, the classification, 'Soap Opera' seems better fitting. But that is exactly what it was – originally published in parts, in need of a cliff hanger to drag the readership back. There is the potential for an interesting rural/urban clash too: It is a long time since I read it and am dying to know . . . :flare: Ahhhh, I’ve been trapped in the spiders web of a plot!

Posted By akfarrar at Thu 26 Oct 2006, 2:44 AM in The Woman in White || 2 Replies

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