How far would you go to regain something that had been taken from you and your family? Mr Vanstone was married at a young age but it wasn't an ideal situation so the couple parted ways...still bound in legal matrimony. When he falls in love with another woman later on, he confesses that he is married but she chooses to live with him, against social mores. Something which would have been rather shocking in the Victorian era. They present themselves as a married couple and raise two daughters, Norah and Magdalen, in style, luxury and society. With the sudden death of Mr Vanstone followed closely by that of Mrs Vanstone, it's revealed that the young ladies are now considered illegitimate in the eyes of the law. The family fortune is lost to them in favour of an estranged and miserly Uncle who has no conscience about selling the house and turning the girls out. Norah Vanstone, while upset at their situation, accepts that life will be different and finds work as a governess to provide her with essentials. Her younger sister, Magdalen, will find no peace until the fortune that is theirs but for the absurdity of law, is returned to them. The characters in No Name are absolutely fantastic, in particular Captain Wragge and his wife. The Captain's brain is always on fast-forward when it comes to scheming which in turn means that the plot travels at such a pace, you never feel as though this book is over 700 pages! I wouldn't dream of saying anything more about this story as I hope anyone reading this is tempted to pick up a copy and find out the rest for themselves. In reading a bit about Collins life I was excited to learn that he studied law at Lincoln's Inn, a place which I visited on my trip to London last May. Having a visual of the setting and picturing him walking from building to building along the paths has added an extra layer to my memories. It saddened me though that because he suffered from 'rheumatic gout' he became an opium addict, taking it in the form of laudanum. At a later point in his writing the storylines were confusing and disjointed. Collins had no problem writing about his vices as this drug is written about in this book and others. There is some other reading on my horizon but I'm really looking forward, in fact I'm excited, to get back into another book by Wilkie Collins. My only question is why did it take me so long to discover him?
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
No Name by Wilkie Collins
How far would you go to regain something that had been taken from you and your family? Mr Vanstone was married at a young age but it wasn't an ideal situation so the couple parted ways...still bound in legal matrimony. When he falls in love with another woman later on, he confesses that he is married but she chooses to live with him, against social mores. Something which would have been rather shocking in the Victorian era. They present themselves as a married couple and raise two daughters, Norah and Magdalen, in style, luxury and society. With the sudden death of Mr Vanstone followed closely by that of Mrs Vanstone, it's revealed that the young ladies are now considered illegitimate in the eyes of the law. The family fortune is lost to them in favour of an estranged and miserly Uncle who has no conscience about selling the house and turning the girls out. Norah Vanstone, while upset at their situation, accepts that life will be different and finds work as a governess to provide her with essentials. Her younger sister, Magdalen, will find no peace until the fortune that is theirs but for the absurdity of law, is returned to them. The characters in No Name are absolutely fantastic, in particular Captain Wragge and his wife. The Captain's brain is always on fast-forward when it comes to scheming which in turn means that the plot travels at such a pace, you never feel as though this book is over 700 pages! I wouldn't dream of saying anything more about this story as I hope anyone reading this is tempted to pick up a copy and find out the rest for themselves. In reading a bit about Collins life I was excited to learn that he studied law at Lincoln's Inn, a place which I visited on my trip to London last May. Having a visual of the setting and picturing him walking from building to building along the paths has added an extra layer to my memories. It saddened me though that because he suffered from 'rheumatic gout' he became an opium addict, taking it in the form of laudanum. At a later point in his writing the storylines were confusing and disjointed. Collins had no problem writing about his vices as this drug is written about in this book and others. There is some other reading on my horizon but I'm really looking forward, in fact I'm excited, to get back into another book by Wilkie Collins. My only question is why did it take me so long to discover him?
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Isn't he great? You have to read The Woman in White, too! I already plan on reading this one next year--it's literally on my list! I didn't realize he was an opium addict, which might explain why it shows up in his novels. You probably already know about his liberal views on marriage--I think he also bore children out of wedlock and I think he had more than one 'significant other'--for lack of a better term! He always seems to portray women's issues in his novels with a certain sympathy--I think he knew how awful it was for them at the time. What are you going to read next? After a novel of this size it's hard to choose I think.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I would like to read a book about the man himself at some point. Yes, he had a couple of relationships on the go at one time apparently! Right now, I'm finishing up a book about Elizabeth I, then there will be some Christmas stories. Kristina and I are planning to read Love's Shadow by Ada Leverson from The Bloomsbury Group early in the New Year. After that I really must read a Persephone title THEN it's going to be another Wilkie Collins. I could go on...you know what it's like don't you!
ReplyDeleteWasn't it terrific?! Wonderful and comprehensive review Darlene. And you have so many Wilkies to enjoy! It was such a pleasure reading along with you. We should do it again!
ReplyDeleteI love that cover! And why didn't you discover Mr Collins before? Maybe so that you can have the pleasure of knowing you have so much wonderful reading material ahead of you now!
ReplyDeleteOh, I do know how it goes! I have the Leverson book on my holiday reading pile, too, though who knows if I will actually get to it. It sounds like a fun holiday read--if only I had more time (though a whole week off should be pretty good...).
ReplyDeleteYou've certainly tempted me! I loved The Moonstone and The Woman in White...this could well be my 2010 Wilkie selection.
ReplyDeleteRachel, Thank you, I really enjoyed reading along with you as well! This book was such a wonderful introduction to the world of Wilkie Collins...I'm in the loop now. Do it again...definitely!
ReplyDeleteFleurFisher, That cover was pulled from Google images but I would love to have that edition. You're right about having loads of terrific reading ahead of me...and other treasures in authors yet to be discovered!
Danielle, I was beyond thrilled to discover that I'm off a total of eleven days in a row by using just two vacation days. It can't come soon enough!
JoAnn, Oh good! Keep your eye out for a copy, you won't be sorry.
I haven't read any Collins which really needs to be addressed. This sounds like a good start.
ReplyDeleteRachel's (book snob) copy was so bedraggled that she has given it to me to repair - I may have to have a sneaky read!
Bloomsbury Bell, I heard about that copy! You could have a challenge on your hands with that one. Definitely have a peek, I think you'll like it!
ReplyDeleteCatherine Peters wrote a wonderful biography of Wilkie called The King of Inventors but if you're fascinated by his private life, you'll have to read The Secret Life of Wilkie Collins by William M Clarke. Clarke was the one who did the research which revealed Wilkie's two famillies. I love him, especially Moonstone & Woman in White. I think his women are so much more realistic than Dickens', although I love Dickens too. Enjoy discovering him.
ReplyDeleteWe watched The moonstone last night on tv, and Ken remembered how much he enjoyed the book, so I'm definitely going to get this out of the library for him again.
ReplyDeletelyn, Thank you so much for recommending those titles. The Secret Life of Wilkie Collins sounds fascinating, I wonder how he found the time to write with two families!
ReplyDeleteverity, Oh that sounds like a terrific television night! I'd love to dive right into another one of Wilkie's books.
I've seriously been meaning to read this for YEARS (I own it for crying out loud)! I really need to get to it, and to Wilkie Collins in general. Great review!
ReplyDelete