The Woman in White (Dramatized)

The Lady in White was my introduction to Wilkie Collins and I was carried off by the story. This, from a one who don't include murder mysteries in my regular reading diet. What was done is at question, who done it and what is planned? And why for pete's sakes? In my first time through, I never got a single one of my guesses right. I gave up the heroines for dead, then Wilkie pulled an unexpected trick or two.

This dramatised version steamlined the plot and moves at a faster pace and doesn't lose a single thread from the original. One can also get to bed at a reasonable hour too. If you like complications in your stories, this one has them in spades. I enjoyed the story serveral times. It is satisfying. I even bought a couple more of Mr. Collins books: The Moonstone and A Rogue's Life and like them also. I guess I am a Wilkie Collins fan.

Wilkie Collins' dark mystery comes to life in this wonderful rendition of "The Woman in White." This is very much a story of its time, almost melodramatic in its struggle between good and evil, innocence and experience. Victorian though the story is, it has stood the test of time. This dramatisation makes it all the more accesible, suspenseful, and delightful. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys listening to dramatisations and radio plays.

To give an idea of the outstanding talent showcased in this production, the cast includes Juliet Aubrey as the angelic Marian Halcombe, Toby Stephens as art teacher Walter Hartright, Jeremy Clyde as posh suitor Percival Glyde, Edward Petherbridge as hypochondriac Mr. Fairlie, and Geraldine Fitzgerald as the enigmatic Madame Fosco. Who could ask for better casting than that?

The sound effects are pitch-perfect, never overdone, just enough to add the perfect finishing touch.

The book is great, but it will take some time to get through. Victorians often wrote books that could be used for doorstops, great whopping things. That's all very well when read in weekly installments in a newspaper or magazine serial, but if time is of the essence, this dramatisation is a reasonable alternative!

Also recommended by Wilkie Collins: THE HAUNTED HOTEL and THE MOONSTONE.

A simple but lovely story made richer by the great skill of the narrators, particularly Toby Stephens who has a rich, fruity voice. I will definitely look for more audiobooks narrated by him.

a lovely story, difficult to put down.