The Classics Club Spin Lands on Wilkie Collins
The spin number in The Classics Club Spin is number …
2
which means I’m slated to read Armadale by Wilkie Collins by Sunday. December 3 .
This is the third of his four ‘great novels’ of the 1860s: following after The Woman in White (1859–60) and No Name (1862), and before The Moonstone (1868). It first appeared in serial format in the Cornhill Magazine, issued in twenty monthly instalments between November 1864 and June 1866.
I read this many years ago so I know to expect plenty of melodrama and a complicated plot though I have next to zero recollection of the plot or the characters. The Wikipedia entry is very long but the Goodreads summary is easier to follow.
When the elderly Allan Armadale makes a terrible confession on his death-bed, he has little idea of the repercussions to come, for the secret he reveals involves the mysterious Lydia Gwilt: flame-haired temptress, bigamist, laudanum addict and husband-poisoner. Her malicious intrigues fuel the plot of this gripping melodrama: a tale of confused identities, inherited curses, romantic rivalries, espionage, money—and murder.
Synopsis at Goodreads.com
Just as in The Woman in White, Collins includes a touch of the supernatural, questions of identity and an element of detection. Like the later The Moonstone, he uses a device where the narrative is built from a series of testimonies and accounts (such as from characters’ diaries and letters) which gradually shed light on the mystery.
Early critics were scathing in their assessment of the literary merits of this novel, dismissing it as mere sensationalism. One described the novel as “a lurid labyrinth of improbabilities” and another as “a discordant mosaic instead of a harmonious picture” whose heroine was “a woman fouler than the refuse of the streets.” More recent assessments however have pointed to the novel’s psychological depth and complexity.
It’s a long time since I last read Collins or any 19th century sensational fiction for that matter, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in. However, Armadale is Collins’ longest novel — my Penguin classics edition comes in at more than 700 pages — which at my current reading speed is going to take me about three weeks to finish. Better get started soon otherwise it will be another Classics Club spin fail.
Pingback: Reading Wrap Up — October 2023 : BookerTalk
I’ve not heard of this one by him. Have heard of the others.
he wrote more than 100 books apparently……some are not very good at all
Armadale is possibly my favourite Wilkie Collins book – I think I enjoyed it even more than The Woman in White! I’m planning to re-read it myself, once I’ve finished with my current Classics Club list.
Oh now you have raised my expectations and made me even more excited to get started on this book
I wish you every bit of luck with this and hope you get there before time is up! Even if not the psychological aspects should keep one’s interest. 🙂
I’m intrigued by that element of it
That’s a chunkster, but a good choice for this time of year. Happy reading!
Yep I can imagine reading this on the sofa while the wind howls and the rain lashes down outside (We’re bound to have another storm soon )
Whoa! 700 pages. That’s some heavy lifting! I’m hoping you get through it, but since you’ve read it before, maybe it will be a faster read for you. Enjoy!
I remember so little of it Davida that I think it will be as if I have never read it
I’m tempted to add Armadale to my TBRs – I enjoyed The Moonstone, The Woman in White and The Dead Secret. So, I hope you’ll enjoy it and it won’t take you as long as you think to read it.
I don’t know The Dead Secret but I’,not surprised. He wrote so many books. Maybe I can get one free via Project Gutenburg
This sounds a good read best left – since I don’t have a challenge to complete – for a cosy period like Christmas with time to curl up near the fire and get stuck in.
An ideal book to read after a heavy Christmas lunch when you really can’t face doing anything energetic
Agreed!
Armadale is a chunkster but it does read quickly. I don’t remember the details either, except that it was a melodrama to the max. Hope it brings you Spin success!
Good to know it’s a quick read – the last thing I want is a long book that feels like I am wading through mud to make any progress
Wow, that sounds packed to the max! Enjoy!
I’ve only read The Woman in White and the Moonstone
Me too, and if I had time I’d join you with Armadale, because when I’m in the mood, Wilkie Collins is good fun.
He’s great at creating villains
Both of those are excellent books. Im hoping Armadale proves to be just as good.
Oh, Armadale is an absolute cracker and wonderful for this time of year! I read it last year and found it totally addictive; those 700 pages fly by.
That means I can look forward to late nights then because I’ll be unable to put the book down!
You will be *glued* to the pages, I all but guarantee it.
Do you think I can book a snow day so I can fully enjoy the experience??
I would strongly recommend it.
OK, I shall go out and do a snow dance tomorrow morning……..