1001 Books Update - The Woman in White

I absolutely loved The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. It takes place in England in the mid-1800s. The book was published in 1860 but it is easy to read so don't let
that turn you off. I loved the writing which was sometimes just plain hilarious.

The plot is centered around two half-sisters. One is gorgeous Jane and the other is sensible Marian. Jane is scheduled to be married to Sir Percival Glyde. However, before the marriage is to occur, the guardian of Jane and Marian hires an artist, Walter, to give Jane and Marian art lessons for the season. Obviously the artist is young and handsome and falls in love with Jane. But who is the woman in white Walter meets one night on a lonely road who gives dire warnings? Does she have anything to do with Sir Percival Glyde? Will Jane marry Walter or Sir Percival Glyde?

Wilkie Collins writes the story through various viewpoints of most of the characters in the story. Marian is by far my favorite character with wit, insight, and sense. And wait until Jane's uncle, Count Fosco, shows up. He is such a character. Obviously the story is part love story and part mystery with a little comedy thrown in. It's a tad long but well worth the read.

Good tip...books like The Woman in White, which are past their copyright terms are sometimes available online to read for free. Two places I tend to go are Project Gutenberg and Google Books. I read The Woman in White with Google Books...and make sure you find the version in Full-view. A lot of Google Books are just partial-view which just lets you read a few pages from the book.

Oh...and I didn't know Andrew Lloyd Webber made a Broadway play from The Woman in White. I could see how it would make a fun play.

Also Reviewed By:
Library Queue
Books I Done Read
Book Nut
The Book Nest
Musings of a Bookish Kitty
The Book Smugglers
Trish's Reading Nook