Woman In White By Wilkie Collins
Published by Bandon/Dell 2008 Reissue
First Published 1860
ISBN 978-0-553-90466-6
I kept asking myself “Why is this a classic”? Because the way it’s written, there’s something for everyone.
- The fairytale love story of Walter & Laura;
- The sisterhood and Marians love for Laura;
- The villain, Count Fosco, evil until the end;
- And the intrigue, carefully crafted throughout.
The technique of using letters, journal entries and personal memories was clever and kept you reading. Even through the rather verbose sentences (which didn’t appeal to me) did provide instruction on the Victorian language Every chapter presented a fresh face or a new twist to keep you reading until the end.
I did have the same dislike for the quick ending that I see in others writing. Little was said about Laura being pregnant or surviving child birth – other than delivering a son. And when I thought about it, little was said about Laura’s personality – her likes and dislikes, etc. The reader is led to believe whatever they choose based on the scene written.
And there is no discussion on the ultimate love affair between Walter and Marian. One that developed through adversity. A partnership that included ultimate trust, and the kinship of being certain Laura was well cared for and loved. Marians sisterhood devotion was the glue that kept it all together. Without Marian there would have been no story.
I purchased the Kindle version of this book and look forward to hearing the comments about the book from the book club members.