Scan barcode
pdonovan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
coriandercake's review against another edition
3.0
3.25
The first 70 pages were quite boring and the overall message was a bit too pro-aristocracy for my taste but the last half was quite riveting.
The first 70 pages were quite boring and the overall message was a bit too pro-aristocracy for my taste but the last half was quite riveting.
ronne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
I read this as a Wilkie Collins completist and you can see the early traces of some of his style in the way the story is told. The first half of the book is slow and tedious but it picks up pace once the dastardly plot is revealed! It certainly isn't the best introduction to his work and I can't recommend it but I'm glad I read it.
seltella's review against another edition
3.0
3,5
Początek trochę przy długi i trochę nudny. Jednak niektóre rzeczy mnie zaskoczyły potem. Ogólnie całkiem spoko jeśli chodzi o całość.
Początek trochę przy długi i trochę nudny. Jednak niektóre rzeczy mnie zaskoczyły potem. Ogólnie całkiem spoko jeśli chodzi o całość.
sashshearman's review against another edition
4.0
Basil is the younger son of an old, aristocratic English family. His father's family pride is the paramount consideration in his life. Basil falls in love at first sight with the exotic looking daughter of a successful draper and this premise sets the scene for an engaging story.
Unlike Woman in White and The Moonstone, both of which employ different narrators throughout the book, Basil is written from the perspective of one man. The novel also differs from Collin's more famous works in that there is little humour.
The characters are interesting if not subtle and Collins descriptions of nouveau riche London will be fascinating for anyone interested in the Victorian period.
I really enjoyed this novel. It was fast-paced and further enhanced my impression of Collins as the pre-cursor to the modern day thriller writer. I was expecting a straight-forward tale of star-crossed love in Victorian England and was pleasantly surprised as the story unfolded.
If you are a fan of Woman in White and The Moonstone, I think you will enjoy reading Basil.
Unlike Woman in White and The Moonstone, both of which employ different narrators throughout the book, Basil is written from the perspective of one man. The novel also differs from Collin's more famous works in that there is little humour.
The characters are interesting if not subtle and Collins descriptions of nouveau riche London will be fascinating for anyone interested in the Victorian period.
I really enjoyed this novel. It was fast-paced and further enhanced my impression of Collins as the pre-cursor to the modern day thriller writer. I was expecting a straight-forward tale of star-crossed love in Victorian England and was pleasantly surprised as the story unfolded.
If you are a fan of Woman in White and The Moonstone, I think you will enjoy reading Basil.
heathssm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
okenwillow's review against another edition
4.0
Si l’histoire de Basil est certes moins tarabiscotée que celles des précédents romans de Wilkie Collins déjà traités sur ce blog, l’intérêt n’est pas moindre. Plus court, plus simple dans son intrigue, mais tout aussi délectable. On y retrouve tous les ingrédients nécessaires à une lecture échevelée, passionnée, et haletante ! Personnages toujours très approfondis, description des mœurs d’une époque, des différentes classes sociales, et j’en passe. L’histoire est donc un peu moins tordue, mais conserve son lot de rebondissements. Jusque là Wilkie Collins ne m’a pas déçue, et j’en ai encore 3 ou 4 sur mes étagères.
tjwallace04's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What...what did I just read?😵
Oh Wilkie. Let's just say...it is obvious why this book is not considered your masterpiece. 😂 But boy oh boy, does this book pack in the melodrama. I read "Basil" for the Victorian Sensation Book Club on Instagram, and "sensational" is another good way to describe this book. Literally everything that happens absolutely begs belief, from the moment the titular main character falls in love-at-first-sight on an omnibus, to the villain's bizarre need to narrate his entire life and every step in the process of his vengeance, to the neat and easy conclusion, tied up like a gift 🎁.
Also, Basil is not very likable. I can't tell if Collins wanted to make him likable or not. He's a creepy stalker, selfish (while seeming to think himself generous and fair-minded), and weak. Really, none of the characters are likable other than Clara and (surprise!) Ralph. There are two terrible fathers (three if you count Mannion's father). Perhaps this book could be used as a "what not to do" parenting manual.
I am going on and on like I hated this book, and I actually didn't hate it. I kind of enjoyed reading it BECAUSE it was so ridiculous. I laughed my way through some parts and eye-rolled my way through others, but I never wanted to stop reading. It has already made for some entertaining discussion with the book club, and I look forward to more.
Oh Wilkie. Let's just say...it is obvious why this book is not considered your masterpiece. 😂 But boy oh boy, does this book pack in the melodrama. I read "Basil" for the Victorian Sensation Book Club on Instagram, and "sensational" is another good way to describe this book. Literally everything that happens absolutely begs belief, from the moment the titular main character falls in love-at-first-sight on an omnibus, to the villain's bizarre need to narrate his entire life and every step in the process of his vengeance, to the neat and easy conclusion, tied up like a gift 🎁.
Also, Basil is not very likable. I can't tell if Collins wanted to make him likable or not. He's a creepy stalker, selfish (while seeming to think himself generous and fair-minded), and weak. Really, none of the characters are likable other than Clara and (surprise!) Ralph. There are two terrible fathers (three if you count Mannion's father). Perhaps this book could be used as a "what not to do" parenting manual.
I am going on and on like I hated this book, and I actually didn't hate it. I kind of enjoyed reading it BECAUSE it was so ridiculous. I laughed my way through some parts and eye-rolled my way through others, but I never wanted to stop reading. It has already made for some entertaining discussion with the book club, and I look forward to more.