This novel is one of the best I have read in a long time. Each character is brilliantly drawn, each suspense is actually suspenseful. The end of every climax was very satisfying. highly recommend this book. Very well executed!
I read this a wile ago but, after stumbling upon it again, I remember enough to review it. In fact, the fact that I remember it so well speaks for itself. A very good book with realistic characters and a surprise at the end. Four stars.
an interesting world, but completely ruined by an obsession with sex. pure smut.
A novella and two short stories, not especially juvenile. The title tale is a really sweet romance. No longer so young woman's lost love returns and their happiness is threatened by her selfish father.
The author of this book clearly had an agenda and remained trapped in his anti-christian dogma and prejudices. He derides Christian theology without providing any reasoned exposition of why he has reached that position. It\'s just a collection of anti-christian diatribes which exhibit little freethought but only the authors own prejudices.">I came to this book with an open mind looking forward to reasoned discourse. Instead, I found a diatribe aimed only at Christianity.
Freethinking is about rational analysis using logic, facts, science and reason to derive rational conclusions and expositions on subjects. To quote Wikipedia
\"Thus, freethinkers strive to build their opinions on the basis of facts, scientific inquiry, and logical principles, independent of any logical fallacies or the intellectually limiting effects of authority, confirmation bias, cognitive bias, conventional wisdom, popular culture, prejudice, sectarianism, tradition, urban legend, and all other dogmas. Regarding religion, freethinkers hold that there is insufficient evidence to support the existence of supernatural phenomena\"
The author of this book clearly had an agenda and remained trapped in his anti-christian dogma and prejudices. He derides Christian theology without providing any reasoned exposition of why he has reached that position. It\'s just a collection of anti-christian diatribes which exhibit little freethought but only the authors own prejudices.
Lest someone intending to read this book is discouraged by the mixed nature of the reviews, let me state categorically - this is an enthralling and unputdownable Gothic mystery. It stands up to, and indeed surpasses, the profusion of thrillers and mystery novels of our time. To whatever extent it appears dated, it is only because of the social milieu of 150 years ago (which provides the reader with a fascinating window into that time), but the motivations and actions of the characters remain as compelling and realistic as if they were set in the 21st century.
From the very first chapter the reader is drawn into a web of intrigue, mystery and fear which doesn't let up till the denouement. The twists and turns create real tension and it is difficult to finish a chapter without wanting to press on to the next - quite an achievement for a novel of this length.
The reviewer who is complaining about the story presenting an inadequate feminist statement has obviously not paid attention to the character Marian Holcombe (the heroine's friend and alter ego). The nominal heroine Laura Fairlie IS relatively colourless, which is how she's been consciously portrayed by the author for good plot-related reasons, but that says nothing about the author's own feminist beliefs or non-beliefs. (Read Wilkie Collins' other novels No Name and Armadale if you are looking for strong female protagonists). In The Woman in White, you need to look out for that unforgettable character, Count Fosco.
A book not to be missed, even by those who are ambivalent towards the classics.
Yet another tale of an orphan who goes to live with New England relatives, grows a personality, solves a mystery, makes friends, heals relationships, etc. If you like this kind of thing, "Understood Betsy", Carolyn of the Corners", and "Pollyanna" do it better.
two and a half to three stars
This story is simply saturated with Anthony Hope's style. I love it. A charming gentleman, a beautiful princess, old-world courtesy and manners. It didn't really strike me as being melodramatic; the plot seemed to fit the stage like a glove. I have read Voice in the Fog by the same author and I really liked both. One thing, I am getting sick of books with the ending always being the girl accepting a man's proposal. It's sappy. In this book, the ending is the girl saying, "I am happy now." and the book ends. Other than that, the romance as fine, but I just don't like endings like that.