The Woman in White

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Glen McCready, Rachel Bavidge

Length: 27 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher to two sisters, wants to marry Laura, though she is betrothed to another. But who is the mysterious woman in white he encounters?

Wilkie Collins was a master of suspense, but his transfer to audiobook requires a cast of readers to faithfully reflect the11 different characters who tell the story. Naxos AudioBooks brings together a strong cast to bring alive the mystery and suspense of The Woman in White.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2008 Naxos Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Collins's mid-Victorian novel is one of the first, and possibly still the greatest, of all literary thrillers." ( The Irish Times)

Excellent reading performance but flawed storyline

The narrators were very good and in tune with the plot. The story, however, is a bit contrived. The first and second epochs (the second, in particular) are very well constructed and tense. The third epoch, however, is extremely improbable. Most arguments presented are hard to believe. Besides, the story has one great flaw as a whole: it is too didactic. The author explains too much, gives too much detail where it is not due, and exhausts the reader trying to cover every possible gap (he not only does not cover the gaps, but also seems to be belittling the reader's talent to deduce plot details from allusions he makes). The story is fun, but it is in no way memorable

Weak story. Excellent performance

Tediously slow plot development. Unappealing, overdrawn characters A plot with some nice surprises, but also with loose ends. Wonderful narration.

Excellent Writing; Superb Narration

This book has been reviewed here as presented by other publishers and narrators, but I must say that the narration of this book is some of the best I've heard in my years at Audible. No nuance or inflection was overlooked and the voices always add to and never detract from the suspense.

The book itself is wonderful and becomes especially winding and convoluted during the last half. The plot is quite intricate. Although the manner of writing and speaking is much more formal in this book, written circa 1860, than our language now, it's quite astounding how the phrases and idioms add to the richness of the tale. If you really enjoy "wordcraft", you'll like this!

I liked it so much, I've now begun another book by Collins, "The Moonstone".

The Woman in White

This book was amazing! I was engaged with each character and invested in the plot. The readers were great but, the story makes this one a don't miss!! Plot twists, complex characters and intrigue this book has it all. It is not fast and there is some redundancy in the characters recollections but I found it added to the plot and deepened the mystery. It is long and will take some time to get through but Collins masterfully develops his plot and sucks in his readers/listeners. This one is the granddaddy of modern thrillers and it set the bar pretty high!

Excellent treatment of a masterpiece .

Superb performances, vivid characters, highly entertaining. The plot seems a bit over-intricate in its later stages but the rich language and wonderful readings by the cast make this a true jewel.

meticulous presentation of superb material

As time goes by, Wilkie Collins becomes more and more contemporary. Quite a trick. There are, no doubt, as yet unformulated genres in media still inconceivable within which he will one day, quite justly, be considered the protypical author.

Brilliant

Wonderfully written, narrated and delivered. This author is Brilliant delivering a complete supporting historical account that adds rightful indignation that leads into complete satisfaction... SALUTE

Breathtaking Version of Breathtaking Novel

This brilliant adaptation -- masterfully narrated by a series of gifted actors -- is compelling from first to last. I had read the novel some 15 years ago and while remembering the overall arc of the story, had forgotten some of the particulars. In any event, this version held me spellbound throughout its 27-plus hours. Not only is this one of the greatest thrillers ever written, it's also one of the best 19th-century works of English literature. This magnificent audio recording does justice to the plotting, pacing, characterization, suspense and storytelling mastery of Wilkie Collins. Now, if only Audible would release other Collins novels such as "No Name" in audio form! But just get your hands on this one -- this is a treasure.

interesting

I enjoyed listening to audio, once I got used to it, I can keep handsewing and enjoying the book

Almost perfection!

My one & only negative is that it took me awhile to get into this one, but it could be just that I had a lot going on & wasn’t fully paying attention. I almost gave it up a few times, but I’m so glad I didn’t.
For years, I’ve listened to at least 2 audiobooks a week, but it’s been awhile since I’ve come across one as well done as this.
Some parts were really scary, & some filled me full of total outrage & had me yelling warnings at the characters. The main characters were so well fleshed out, & the narration so spot on, that I could actually “see” this story in my head like a movie as I listened. I was completely transported & I loved it!
Great classic story!!