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Title details for The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins - Available

The Woman in White

by Wilkie Collins
Group
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available

Considered to be one of the first bestselling mystery novels, The Woman in White was a huge commercial success when it was first published and the riveting tale has continued to enthrall readers ever since. Mistaken identities, locked rooms, madness, and romance—these are a few of the ingredients the author used to inspire "the 'creepy' effect, as of pounded ice dropped down the back," that, according to one of his friends, was Wilkie Collins's aim in writing The Woman in White. Popularly regarded as one of the author's finest works, and widely copied by other writers, this thriller was the prototype for a whole new genre of fiction: the "sensation novel." A scheming nobleman, a beautiful heiress, and, of course, the enigmatic woman in white—a mysterious figure confined to an asylum for the insane—are the featured players in an intricate, compelling story that was acclaimed by Henry James and T. S. Eliot.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    March 10, 2017

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781518941863
      • File size: 730796 KB
      • Duration: 25:22:29

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Hugely popular in its time, Collins's mystery-suspense novel is now largely forgotten. Its decline has been due partly to an extravagantly intricate plot (one improved by abridgment) and partly to an equally convoluted structure. The story is told through the accounts of several characters in succession. Because the accounts contain dialogue, listeners are treated to the unusual spectacle of hearing every character filtered through each of the others. Such complexity would have overwhelmed anything less than virtuoso performances. Fortunately, both Nigel Anthony and Susan Jameson rise to the occasion. Listeners will be excused in mistaking this for a full-cast dramatization, so expertly distinguished is the multitude of voices within voices. S.J.L. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from February 28, 2011
      Josephine Bailey and Simon Prebble turn in stellar performances of Collins's classic, commonly regarded as the world's first mystery novel. Late one night, on the way to his new post, art teacher Walter Hartright encounters a ghostly woman dressed all in white, tending to a grave. The next day, he meets his new pupils, Laura Fairlie and her half-sister, Marian, and discovers that the sisters have mysterious ties to the woman in white. For a story told by a sequence of first-person narrators, Bailey and Prebble provide well-paced, alternating readings: Prebble's Hartright is steady, even-keeled, and sensitive; his Marian is bright and clear and blunt. Bailey's Laura is equally well rendered: kind and young, sad and sweet. The voices both narrators provide the host of other characters—including the hot-tempered Sir Percival Glyde and the devious Count Fosco—are attended with equal imagination and skill. A must-listen for mystery lovers.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This is radio drama at its best, with fine actors, subtle sound effects, and ominous music. The tone is appropriately melodramatic for this 1860 Victorian gothic, a precursor of the modern mystery. The villains sound villainous; the heroines come off as innocent and helpless; the good-hearted hero projects indignation and resolve. At question is the death of the heiress Laura Fairlie, who bears a striking resemblance to the mysterious, ghostly woman in white. As the mystery unfolds, the truth about the evil Sir Percival Glyde and his partner in crime--the slick, charming Count Fosco--is revealed. An enjoyable and satisfying listening experience. E.S. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Wilkie Collins's intricate nineteenth-century mystery offers a tantalizing script for audio. What appears to be a standard marriage arrangement entangles an unfortunate aristocratic woman in a web of deceit. The story is arranged as a series of eyewitness accounts, and several British actors portray the diverse cast of characters. Only one person narrates at a time, and each introduction of a new narrator elicits more details of the villainous conspiracy and the role of the haunting woman in white. Glen McCready gives an especially compelling reading as the heroic Walter Hartright; he adds intensity to his segments through his colorful vocal characterizations and energetic delivery. Combining a convincing cast, gripping dialogue, and a fast-paced plot, this audiobook delivers a captivating experience from start to finish. T.D.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Wilkie Collins's gothic tale of redemptive love and treachery could not be better suited for a full-cast audio, with different characters picking up the story chronologically. Walter Hartright is employed to give drawing lessons to sisters Laura and Marian. He falls in love with Laura, but she's engaged to another. When Laura's new husband steals her fortune and identity, Walter and Marian mobilize to protect her. Glen McCready (Walter) and Rachel Bavidge (Marian) are standouts as the moral center of the story. Walter's steadfastness and loyalty are fully realized; Marian's sense of outrage at her sister's mistreatment and frustration with her inability to change it are clear. Their characterizations of Laura's arrogant husband, the smooth but untrustworthy Italian Count Fosco, and the nervous Mr. Fairlie are both amusing and exactly right. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Diabolical plans are afoot when the wealthy, young Laura Fairlie is targeted in a conspiracy to serve her cruel husband's whims. Since Collins tells the story through a series of individual narratives, the publisher chose a talented cast of actors to deliver the various points of view. Roger Rees portrays Laura's brave friend, Walter Hartright, with the feeling and candor so evident in his personality. Equally compelling is Rosalyn Landor's depiction of Marian Halcombe in a rational but genuine tone. All the actors give much attention to the various dialects and foreign accents as they embody the array of characters. The production not only draws the listener into the thrilling mystery but also offers a lot of fun along the way. D.M.W. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Wilkie Collins's novel, like many British mysteries that succeeded it, unfolds slowly as listeners get to know the various characters who play a part in the story. This involved tale of greed, subterfuge, disappointed love, and stoic loyalty is told from several points of view. Ian Holm renders each remarkably well--not by assuming different identities or by contorting his voice in any way, but by altering pace and pitch subtly and effectively to give each of the narrative voices a distinct personality: the hypochondriac uncle, the stalwart suitor, the strong-willed sister, the hedonistic Italian count, the smarmy aristocrat. The slow pace of this novel does not detract in the least from its absorbing story. L.X.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      Starred review from December 4, 2006
      Playwright and audio dramatist Beverley Cooper has done a masterful job in adapting Collins's classic Victorian suspense novel to the audio medium. Within the framing story of a courtroom setting, each character stands up to describe the events that he or she has witnessed; the words of testimony then fade into a flashback scene, so the listener can experience the story as it unfolds. The actors are simply marvelous, particularly Douglas Campbell as the oily, sinister Count Fosco and Cedric Smith as Lord Percival Glyde, the manipulative gold digger with secrets to hide. Suzanne Hoffman sounds appropriately sweet and lovely as Laura, the damsel in distress, and Gina Wilkinson gives a nice contrasting performance as her practical, intelligent and down-to-earth sister, Marian. The story is well paced and suspenseful, while background music adds a subtly ominous atmosphere without distracting from the tale. Likewise, the production uses just the right amount of sound effects. With its colorful characters and air of mystery, this superb dramatization truly does the tale justice.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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