Piotr Marchela Marchela থেকে Anyinasuso, Ghana
This book, listened to in audio CD format, made me so glad that we no longer pay authors by length as in in the age of Dickens and other serial novelists. Let's just say it: This novel is extremely WORDY to the max, but it remains a thrilling and entertaining read. Who is the woman in white? A madwoman escaped from an asylum? A wrongfully mistreated ghostly figure? A Victorian symbol of mysterious feminine purity? Yes. This is a good read because it exemplifies the popular "sensationalist" writing style of the 1800's, and the author really does make you curious to discover all of his secrets as the plot thickens throughout the book. The characters are memorable and vividly sketched - I won't be forgetting Fosco or Percival Glide anytime soon. Maybe a bit oversimplified in a post-modern world, but the novel is illustrative of the Victorian ideal of literature as "morally instructive", and satisfies our instinctive desire for justice. Being a feminist modern reader, I was appalled at one thing above all else. Between the two female protagonists, does the hero (Mr. Hartwright - get it? Heart - right? Clever.) choose the strong, independent, sensible, capable, confident Marion Halcomb despite her unattractive face? No. Does he choose instead the pretty, flimsy, weak-minded woman-child Laura, who requires constant pampering and doting by everyone around her while she swoons and faints at the drop of a pin? Um... sadly yes. Geez, somebody tell her to lose the corset already - how many times can a woman faint in one book? When all is said and done, I'm no Victorian. Give me Marion Halcomb anyday. Substance over beauty.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an easy read for the 10-11 year old set. I have read some reviews that abhorred the idea of an evil arch bishop, but there has to be a villain and henchmen and good guys to tell this kind of story. It has some adventure and a bit of magic but it isn't too scary for the younger ones.