The Woman in White

Wilkie Collins

Charles Dickens once wrote of the novel "Basil: A Story of Modern Life", by Wilkie Collins, these words: "...the story contains admirable writing and a very delicate discrimination of character. I have made Basil's acquaintance with great gratification. And I hope that I shall become intimate with many worthy descendants of his, who are yet in the limbo of creatures waiting to be born." --

Though I've not had the pleasure of making Basil's acquaintance, I've certainly enjoyed the pleasure of acquaintance with all the narrators in "The Woman In White". This is a period piece, Victorian England, and Collins brings with honesty and great skill, the atmosphere of that time, both in character, dialogue, and setting. With every turn of the page, the reader is found journeying along the paths and hallways of such a time. The Woman in White is a mystery which evolves around the disappearance and suspected murder of a young woman. She is the impetus for the story, but we never actually hear from her, rather we are brought to know her through the many narrative voices of those people who love her and of those who use and despise her. Collins is so intimate with his characters, and so aware of them, the reader is left no choice but to come to know them through his eyes, and thus a great tale is born. You care about these people, you worry about them, and as his tale of despair and mystery unfolds, you find yourself wishing to intercede and stop the inevitable. In my opinion, this is the mark of a great writer, one who stops time and shifts you into another reality, that of their story. Though written and published in the mid 1800's, this novel carries all the necessary ingredients to make it withstand the test of years and find itself today on many bookshelves. Collins throws a wonderfully orchestrated mix of characters into this one. The young woman Laura Fairlie, fated to a pre-arranged marriage, her spinster sister, Marian Halcombe, pragmatic and steadfast in her loyalty and love for her sister. The Uncle, under who's house they both reside, himself a constant annoyance to the reader, you wish nothing more than to shake him from his weakness of character and mind. An art instructor, young Walter Hartright, first sent to instruct the beautiful and young Laura Fairlie in the fine points of canvas, who unknowingly takes his part in the lives of all the others before he ever meets them. The nefarious Count Fosco, who continually brings the reader pleasure and grief. Then the mystery of a woman escaped from an asylum, who plays an important part in all that befalls each of these characters. Collins takes all these and disperses amongst them some minor, but driving characters, then oh so skillfully gives them life and sound, and they pull you fast into their story of deception and despair. This is a lengthy novel, almost 600 pages, but the time within its pages moves quickly and well. Collins never lets go of the pen, and keeps the mystery coursing and evolving to the very last page. I found it hard to put down and always looked forward to each return. I recommend it, if you love a brooding and well penned mystery, it should be on your shelf.