Our Score:★★★★✩✩✩✩✩✩
GENRE: Classic, Mystery, Gothic, Supernatural
Selected by Gemma- June 2010
SYNOPSIS:
'In one moment, every drop of blood in my body was brought to a stop... There, as if it had that moment sprung out of the earth, stood the figure of a solitary Woman, dressed from head to foot in white'
The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright's eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter becomes embroiled in the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his 'charming' friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons, and poison. Pursuing questions of identity and insanity along the paths and corridors of English country houses and the madhouse.
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)
STORY BEHIND THE BOOK:
Gemma:
I was drawn to this novel as it has a Gothic, Victorian and psychological feel to it. All of which intrigue me. Initially I couldn't decide on The Women in Black or this one. When both books arrived I decided to go for The Woman in White as it was larger in volume and I loved the front cover.
REVIEW: (Contains spoilers)
Gemma's Thoughts:
The story unfolds through documents held by various characters, each of whom tell the story from their own viewpoint. I really enjoyed this writing technique. In a nutshell: Laura marries Sir Percival Glyde and they move to Blackwater Park. Here Marian joins them along with Count Fosco and his wife (who is the girl's aunt). Sir Percival has money issues and needs Laura to sign a piece of paper in order for him to receive her share of money. She refuses as he hides the content of the document. The two men come up with a conspiracy plan in order to receive the requested money; swapping the identities of the two women (Laura and Anne).
I really enjoyed this book, although long and in some places confusing. I was surprised by the complex story line which included mystery, suspense and romance. Although, it was written a long time ago I could identify with the characters and found some parts relevant to present day.
THE SCORES:
Emma: 1
Gemma: 7
Maria: 7
Nic: 5
Pamela: 4
Sandra: 1
Average 4
Let us know what you thought about this book. We would love to read your reviews and hear what you would score it.
If you enjoyed this book why not try:
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Kane and Abel by Jeffery Archer
The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
Happy reading!