The Woman in White

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Roger Rees, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, Judy Geeson

Length: 25 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Young Walter Hartright meets the mysterious woman in white in what soon became one of the most popular novels of the 19th century. Secrets, mistaken identities, surprise revelations, amnesia, locked rooms and locked asylums, and an unorthodox villain made this mystery thriller an instant success when it first appeared in 1860, and it has continued to enthrall ever since.

From the hero's foreboding before his arrival at Limmeridge House to the nefarious plot concerning the beautiful Laura, the breathtaking tension of Collins's narrative created a new literary genre of suspense fiction, which profoundly shaped the course of English popular writing.

Generally considered the first English sensation novel, The Woman in White features the remarkable heroine Marian Halcombe and her sleuthing partner, drawing-master Walter Hartright, pitted against the diabolical team of Count Fosco and Sir Percival Glyde. A gripping tale of murder, intrigue, madness, and mistaken identity, Collins's psychological thriller has never been out of print since its publication in 1860.

While Collins's other great mystery, The Moonstone, has been called the finest detective story ever written, it was this work that so gripped the imagination of the world that Wilkie Collins had his own tombstone inscribed "Author of The Woman in White."

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Engaging and interresting

This book is about love, mystery, secrets and lies.

The different voices bring life and spirit to the different characters and I found myself engaged even though I do not normally like this genre.

The story is at times a bit predictable, but there is enough twists and turns to keep the flow.

I suggest lovers of secrets and lovestories take a look at Woman in White, I think they wont regret it.

Excellent story...

This is a top-notch tale. I highly recommend to those that enjoy Dickens or Doyle. Many of the characters are well-described and thoroughly enjoyable.

I greatly enjoyed the the aspect of multiple narrators which lends itself quite well to the story’s presentation. Each of the narrators had a pleasant voice and did well portraying the different characters in their vein of the story.

great book

Where does The Woman in White rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good. Liked having female and male narrators. Gives the book more personality.

What did you like best about this story?

The stoic personality of the older sister.More people should be aware of how women were treated in the 1800's. It was degrading.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The personalities of each character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It is too long for one sitting.

Any additional comments?

First book I have ever listened to from this time period. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did.

Great old novel

This is a great novel if someone enjoys classic novels like Charles Dickens or Oscar Wilde. The author did a fantastic job of creating an entire world with interesting characters that keep you intrugued. It is a subtle mystery, not too shocking but interesting enough.
The structure of the novel itself is also interesting. It is segmented into character testimonies as it progresses, its different and keeps it from going stale since it is such a long read.
The narration is fantastic. There are several narrators that narrate for each individual testimony.
Overall, if you are a fan of classic novels like Charles Dickens or Oscar Wilde then you will most likely enjoy this novel. It is a very long so make sure you really like classic novels before commiting to this novel because it can seem a bit slow at times.

Engrossing, Intricate Mystery Enlivened by Stellar Cast

Wilkie Collins’ masterpiece is brought vividly to life by a cast of brilliant actors. The late, great Roger Rees deserves special praise for a deeply felt and multifaceted performance. If there is a better narrator, I haven’t yet heard him or her.

Good for someone laid up for quite awhile

Interesting story line but very long and, at times, tedious and slow. That's my review.

A very interesting classic

Using different performers for the different chapters made thus book very interesting. Wilkie, as well as the performers, do an excellent job of playing out the attitudes the various characters have toward each other. An interesting story worth the time.

Eloquent Mystery

I have always loved this story. Even the insults are beautiful and polite. My favorite book ever.

Wonderful!

What did you love best about The Woman in White?

It's timeless. Although it was written in 1859 it stands the test of time.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This book is written as first person accounts by several different characters. Having a different narrator for each character really made it enjoyable!

Most enjoyable.

Where does The Woman in White rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Who knew Charles Dickens had a more talented contemporary. I thank Lincoln Childs and Douglas Preston for leading me to this book in their last Pendergast saga. Great book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Marian Holcombe is the pivotal character. Without her love and devotion to her sister the plot never works.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Count Fosco - so pretentious and done so well by the narrator.

Any additional comments?

As is Dickens, this should be required reading in high school. Better characters, better story, less lengthy descriptions.