Having discovered Wilkie Collins, it wasn't too long before I picked him up again. K and I have decided that Dead Secret was perhaps not one of his better novels, it lacked pace towards the end, and wasn't as terrifying as The haunted hotel which I read last weekend, but should have saved for Halloween!
The haunted hotel is a melodramatic novella set partly in London and partly in Venice. It's a cross between a detective story and a ghost story and it had me gasping out loud at certain points and really quite terrified.
I don't really celebrate Halloween, but I may get another Wilkie Collins from the pile of library books (I've got several to choose from - thanks for all of your recommendations - it seems that No Name is one of his best, as is Armadale), and I think we will have stuffed pumpkin for tea. I've just remembered that I've also got the Edith Wharton book of ghost stories which I want to read and write about for my Virago Venture.
The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner
1 hour ago
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ReplyDeleteOh, I love Wilkie Collins. Although my experience so far has been limited to the two most famous, Woman in White and The Moonstone, I have Armadale on my shelf just waiting for the right time to read it to arrive. (Probably some grim and airless day when I just have to have a gothic adventure. Maybe it will be foggy out.)
ReplyDeleteI love Wilkie too. And yes, The Dead Secret is definitely one of his weaker novels--one to read when you've read the biggies and just want a dose of his work. Armadale is my favorite with The Woman in White coming in second. I am reading No Name at the moment and am enjoying it--his characters are wonderful. I need to get a copy of The Haunted Hotel and have looked at it often at the bookstore--now that I hear it has good gasping moments I will get that one as well!
ReplyDeleteI've only read The Woman in White and The Moonstone -- Armandale sounds really good. Oh, so many Victorians and so little time! And I LOVE Edith Wharton, her ghost stories are really good. My favorite is Kerfol.
ReplyDeleteI might have to get my hands on The Haunted Hotel before too long. After my recent wonderful experience with No Name, I am dying to read more Wilkie! Also, Karen's "so many Victorians and so little time" comment made me laugh - so true :P
ReplyDeletePour of Tor - Armadale is one that I've had recommended over and over.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - I've had another disappointing Wilkie this weekend - The Law and the Lady so I think I will have to get hold of Armadale or No Name next.
Karen - I've read a couple of the EW ghost stories, but I'm not a hugeWharton fan so it's taking me a little while to get into.
Nymeth - Haunted hotel is excellent, and it's only really a novella, which is another incentive.