'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins is an early English detective novel that revolves around the theft of a large diamond known as the Moonstone. The story unfolds through a series of narrations from different characters, each providing their perspective on the theft and recovery of the precious jewel. Set in a Victorian backdrop, the novel combines mystery, suspense, and humor, creating an engaging narrative that delves into the complexities of the characters and the investigation surrounding the stolen diamond.
The narrative structure of 'The Moonstone' is characterized by multiple narrators, each with a unique voice and perspective, contributing to the rich character development throughout the story. As the mystery of the Moonstone unfolds, readers are taken on a journey filled with twists and turns, culminating in a suspenseful and intriguing exploration of the human psyche and societal norms of the time.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers in the book include colonialist attitudes, instances of racism, sexism, and references to drug use.
Has Romance?
The novel contains a medium level of romance, primarily through the relationships of Rachel Verinder, Franklin Blake, and Godfrey Ablewhite.
From The Publisher:
When Rachel Verinder's legacy of a priceless Indian diamond is stolen, all the evidence indicates that it is her beloved, Franklin Blake, who is guilty. Around this central axis of crime and thwarted love, Collins constructs an ingenious plot of teasing twists and surprises, and an elaborate multi-voiced narrative that sustains the tension all the way to its stunning ending.
Described by T.S. Eliot as the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels, Wilkie Collins's The Moonstone is an important precursor of the modern mystery and suspense genres.
Ratings (24)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (11) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (2) |
Reader Stats (65):
Read It (25) | |
Want To Read (26) | |
Did Not Finish (1) | |
Not Interested (13) |
1 comment(s)
Collins's classic novel is exotic and romantic and thrilling, but the real brilliance is his characterization and how well he captures the human condition. Each narrator has a distinct voice and unique perspective on the events that unfold and on each other, and it is enlightening to see how the characters view themselves contrasted with how they are viewed by other narrators. A character study disguised as a mystery, Collins artfully infuses his tale with wildly exotic and fantastical elements that bring spice and romance to the nineteenth century English countryside - after all, what is more mystical than the theft of a famed, cursed, priceless Indian diamond?
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The Moonstone?
About the Author:
William Wilkie Collins was born in London in 1824, the eldest son of a successful painter, William Collins. He studied law and was admitted to the bar but never practiced his nominal profession, devoting his time to writing instead. His…
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