The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
A mysterious woman in white disrupts the lives of two half-sisters and their admirers.
Summary
The Woman in White is a mystery novel by Wilkie Collins, first published in 1860. It is considered to be one of the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first and finest in the genre of 'sensation novels'. The story is told in the form of a narrative by Walter Hartright, a drawing master, who is employed by a woman named Laura Fairlie to teach her and her half-sister, Marian Halcombe. Hartright soon discovers that the woman in white, Anne Catherick, is a fugitive from an insane asylum and is being pursued by a sinister lawyer, Count Fosco. Hartright and the two sisters become embroiled in a complex plot involving stolen identities, secret marriages, and a mysterious inheritance.
Interpretation
The Woman in White is a classic mystery novel that explores themes of identity, justice, and morality. It is a gripping story that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The novel is a commentary on the social conventions of the Victorian era and the power of secrets to shape our lives.
Who is this book for?
The Woman in White is suitable for readers aged 16 and up who enjoy mystery and suspense novels.
Keywords
Mystery, Suspense, Victorian, Identity, Justice