The Woman in White

By: Wilkie Collins

Narrated by: Josephine Bailey, Simon Prebble

Length: 25 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the greatest mystery thrillers ever written, Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White was a phenomenal best seller in the 1860s, achieving even greater success than works by Charles Dickens. Full of surprise, intrigue, and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall audiences today.

The story begins with an eerie midnight encounter between artist Walter Hartright and a ghostly woman dressed all in white who seems desperate to share a dark secret. The next day Hartright, engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie and her half sister, tells his pupils about the strange events of the previous evening.

Determined to learn all they can about the mysterious woman in white, the three soon find themselves drawn into a chilling vortex of crime, poison, kidnapping, and international intrigue.

Masterfully constructed, The Woman in White is dominated by two of the finest creations in all Victorian fiction: Marion Halcombe, dark, mannish, yet irresistibly fascinating, and Count Fosco, the sinister and flamboyant "Napoleon of Crime".

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

Classic Mystery

Superbly written and excellently narrated by both actors, it is a delight to the ears and the mind.

Tremendous story, wonderful narration

What made the experience of listening to The Woman in White the most enjoyable?

A pleasant surprise came with the narration. I had started reading a hard copy of the book prior to moving over to the audio version. Hartright, as read by Simon Prebble, sounded exactly as I imagined.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The novel would win the Booker Prize were it released tomorrow.

Have you listened to any of Josephine Bailey and Simon Prebble ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this was my first. I have since purchased a few more of their works.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Without giving too much away, Walter and Marian's conversation about Laura towards the end of the novel. That, or Fosco's admiration of Marian.

Now I understand why it is highly regarded

I couldn't quit listening even though sometimes i needed to do so. Pesca means fish, right?

Logical approach to a riveting mystery

An intricate knot tied with precision, and untangled with logic and grace. To begin with there is a mystery, and Collins lays it out with attention to every twist as the story continues to be told by the various narrators. The characters are as vivid as those created by other 19th century writers: Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Allan Poe--Frederick Fairlie with his imagined maladies is good comedy, and Sir Percival and Count Fosco, in comparison make Heathcliff almost look respectable.

Victorian in description, dialogue, and politics--the strong female character doesn't escape punishment for her straying from the social constricts of the time...she pays for her female resourcefulness and failure to swoon, by being endowed, by the author, with masculine features, including a mustache. Today's editors would likely trim the 25 hours to 12, but in spite of the length and the diversity of plots, the story stays on track and doesn't drag; it's worth the Effort. The narration is a theatrical treat. Fear not the classic; dig in and enjoy.

Genuinely exciting.

The beginning is a bit philosophical but it gets really suspenseful after the first few chapters and stays interesting until the end. A good investment.

It just kept going and going and going...

I am starting to think I must have a must different taste than the typical Audible listener, because this is another case where I took the advice of fellow members (rave reviews) and was disappointed.

Don't get me wrong this is far from the worst book I have ever read or will ever read. It started out very strong... so strong that I ordered it for my mom as a mothers day gift! How could it fail? A bestseller in its time (more than Dickens) and still a classic favorite today.

But for me I found myself zoning out constantly (and happily so to help the time pass by). And never ending story plots.

The idea behind this story was strong, but for me the author was very long winded and could have made this a much shorter (and therefore enjoyable story).

One thing I will say about this book is that the author spares no detail! So if you like a book where there is no summarization of events and every scene every conversation is detailed move by move, then you will love it!

Long book but very enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you like British literature, this one is good. I really enjoyed the way the book was told through the eyes of many of the characters.

Any additional comments?

This is a very long story. It got a bit tedious with the details at times. But, it had many twists and turns that kept it interesting.

Intrigue Until The Very End

Just when I thought the story was predictable, the revelations started coming and didn't stop until the very end.

Great mystery!

I know why this is considered the beginning of the golden age of mysteries. Terrific story. Suspenseful, exciting and insight into the times.

Engaging

Well, you either love Wilkie Collins or . . . I happen to really like his books and this is my favorite by far. I loved listening to it even though I read the book years ago. This is a real time investment but so worth it. The performances were great, not overdone or overwrought. You'll like it!