07-27-2021, 09:32 AM
Thought I would read this since it's a classic, and I've been meaning to for a long time, and DM's Britbox thread reminded me of it. Plus I found a nice old edition with interesting illustrations and it was cheap. (I am not including a link purely to annoy DM.)
The story itself winds up being a bit weak, as DM noted. But the construction of the book is clever. Basically it's told chronologically by different characters in turn. They are all writing down their recollections at the request of one character, who also takes a turn narrating, and each picks up where the last leaves off. The characterization is pretty good; most of them have distinct voices. Also he is good at setting the scenes. Occasionally humorous as well.
It was pretty long, but I was helped along by something Margaret Atwood said - she compared 19th century novels to television series, since many were presented serialized in magazines. (I would limit this comparison to Victorian novels since that was when magazines really got going.) If you take each chapter or two as an episode, some will advance the plot, but some will go someplace else and you have to go along for the ride.
Doom recommended? I'd give it a solid no unless you enjoy 19th century novels, especially Dickens, since Collins writes in a similar style.
The story itself winds up being a bit weak, as DM noted. But the construction of the book is clever. Basically it's told chronologically by different characters in turn. They are all writing down their recollections at the request of one character, who also takes a turn narrating, and each picks up where the last leaves off. The characterization is pretty good; most of them have distinct voices. Also he is good at setting the scenes. Occasionally humorous as well.
It was pretty long, but I was helped along by something Margaret Atwood said - she compared 19th century novels to television series, since many were presented serialized in magazines. (I would limit this comparison to Victorian novels since that was when magazines really got going.) If you take each chapter or two as an episode, some will advance the plot, but some will go someplace else and you have to go along for the ride.
Doom recommended? I'd give it a solid no unless you enjoy 19th century novels, especially Dickens, since Collins writes in a similar style.
the hands that guide me are invisible
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