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The Woman in White

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1860

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Book Brief

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Wilkie Collins

The Woman in White

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1860
Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1850s

Publication Year

1860

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

In Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White, art teacher Walter Hartright encounters a distressed woman in white in London before taking up a new position at Limmeridge House, where he falls in love with Laura, who resembles the mysterious woman. Despite a foreboding warning, Laura marries Sir Percival Glyde, leading to a sinister plot involving switched identities, deceit, and wrongful asylum commitments.

Mysterious

Suspenseful

Dark

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

170,879 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White is lauded for its intricate, suspenseful plot and vivid characterizations, maintaining reader intrigue with its sensational elements. Some critics find the pacing uneven, with overly detailed descriptions. Overall, it is a pioneering work in the mystery genre that captivates despite minor flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Woman in White?

Readers who enjoy thrilling Victorian sensations with intricate plots will relish The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Comparable to fans of Dickens' Bleak House and Brontë's Jane Eyre, this novel captivates with its mysteries, strong characters, and social commentary.

4.1

170,879 ratings

74%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Character List

Walter Hartright

A drawing master who becomes involved in an investigation and narrative surrounding a mysterious situation, he is a key figure and acts as a conduit through which much of the story unfolds.

A wealthy and beautiful young heiress living in Cumberland, she forms a connection with Walter Hartright and is central to the unfolding events through her relationships and inheritance.

A mysterious figure introduced as "the woman in white," her resemblance to Laura Fairlie and her own past become pivotal to the story’s developments.

Laura’s assertive and intelligent half-sister known for her thorough and perceptive diary entries, she provides a rational perspective on the events that transpire.

A deceptive and self-serving man who marries Laura Fairlie, his actions are driven by hidden motives that shape much of the novel's conflict.

A charismatic and manipulative Italian who, through his charm and cunning, significantly influences events and reflects key themes of power and control.

Laura's aunt who is deeply influenced by her husband, Count Fosco, resulting in a notable change from her once outspoken nature.

Book Details
Pages

720

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

England • 1850s

Publication Year

1860

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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