Basil

De: Wilkie Collins

Narrado por: Nicholas Boulton

Appearing in 1852, Basil was Wilkie Collins’s second published novel. The eponymous narrator is emotionally torn between two women: Margaret Sherwin and his sister Clara. His marriage to Margaret, a draper’s sexually precocious daughter, is to remain secret and unconsummated for the first year, as agreed with her father.

Anticipating Collins’s later sensation novels, the plot involves betrayal, insanity and death, with a thrilling conclusion set among the cliffs and whirlpools near Land’s End. The book was received with shock upon its publication, most especially due to its treatment of adultery.

Here Basil is read by the prolific and popular narrator Nicholas Boulton.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2022 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

The Master of the Sensational Novel!

Though lesser known “Basil” is one of Collins better tales. It has absolutely everything to bring your emotions high and then swiftly down to the depths of stunned feelings. Always with a foreshadowing that has you near anxious for wanting more. On a personal note I am not a fan of dream sequences. Yet there is one here and done so very well that I will never shun another. Oh if only Mr. Collins had written several thousand books. I’d never look up ever again!

Story telling structure

Slow start. Nearly skipped it. But the language is so wonderful I kept going. WC is a beautiful writer. This could be edited but then the language would be lost. Snippets of PG Wodehouse in one character!

Another wonderful narration by Nicholas Boulton

Wilkie Collins, Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens and Mary Elizabeth Gaskell are some of my favorite authors. Mr. Boulton's narration suits the tone of this novel.

Yet another amazing story from Collins

Lesser known yet no lesser in story and beauty. Collins can’t write a bad story

Underrated

I wish more people wrote like Collins. His writing is beautiful to listen to. Excellent narrator, too.

A Very Victorian Tale

As a fan of Wilkie Collins, I was excited to come across this lesser-known work. I don’t think it stands up to his major novels. Even so I am glad to have read it.

It is highly melodramatic and theatrical. Nothing is subtle. The main character behaves in a manner that is sometimes cringe worthy, and often rather stupid. It reminds me of those horror movies when you want to scream at the screen “ don’t do it!” right before the victim steps into an obvious trap.
Still, I found enjoyment in the portrayal of several minor characters and the author’s captivating description of the English countryside.

excellent narrator

this reader is always great and he does another wonderful job. not the biggest fan of the story. i get it, taken in the context of its time but these preachy melodramas are not my thing