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I have just started reading the classic epistolatory mystery novel/Gothic from 1860. I've read Walter Hartright's first chapter and Vincent Gilmore, Solicitor's chapter. So far I have somehow remained completely unspoiled for this book so please do not spoil me!
While Collins sometimes goes on and on and on, he also has extremely propulsive storytelling that makes it obvious why this is a classic. Also, there's a lot of funny bits, which I was not expecting. It's tremendously fun and while it has many now-familiar tropes, it doesn't feel at all stale; I have only the vaguest guesses about where it's all going.
Walter Hartwell is a young drawing teacher who's offered a position teaching painting to two young women at Limmeridge House. On his way there, walking down a dark road at night, a hand suddenly touches his shoulder! A woman in white has appeared out of nowhere!
She requests his help getting a carriage, mentions that she has fond memories of the mistress of Limmeridge House, and says she's afraid of a Baronet. He helps her out, but after she's gone two men appear, searching for a woman in white: "She has escaped from my Asylum. Don't forget: a woman in white."
Hartwell says nothing.
( And then many, many more exciting events occur! )
Once again, no plot spoilers for the rest of the book! But I would love to discuss what's happened up to now.
The Woman in White (Penguin Classics)
While Collins sometimes goes on and on and on, he also has extremely propulsive storytelling that makes it obvious why this is a classic. Also, there's a lot of funny bits, which I was not expecting. It's tremendously fun and while it has many now-familiar tropes, it doesn't feel at all stale; I have only the vaguest guesses about where it's all going.
Walter Hartwell is a young drawing teacher who's offered a position teaching painting to two young women at Limmeridge House. On his way there, walking down a dark road at night, a hand suddenly touches his shoulder! A woman in white has appeared out of nowhere!
She requests his help getting a carriage, mentions that she has fond memories of the mistress of Limmeridge House, and says she's afraid of a Baronet. He helps her out, but after she's gone two men appear, searching for a woman in white: "She has escaped from my Asylum. Don't forget: a woman in white."
Hartwell says nothing.
( And then many, many more exciting events occur! )
Once again, no plot spoilers for the rest of the book! But I would love to discuss what's happened up to now.
The Woman in White (Penguin Classics)
