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720
Novel • Fiction
England • 1850s
1860
Adult
16+ years
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
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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.
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.
170,879 ratings
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Laura Fairlie/Lady Glyde
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.
Anne Catherick
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.
Marian Halcombe
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.
Sir Percival Glyde
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.
Count Fosco
A charismatic and manipulative Italian who, through his charm and cunning, significantly influences events and reflects key themes of power and control.
Madame Fosco
Laura's aunt who is deeply influenced by her husband, Count Fosco, resulting in a notable change from her once outspoken nature.
720
Novel • Fiction
England • 1850s
1860
Adult
16+ years
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