In 'The Woman in White,' the mysterious appearance of a spectral woman in white sets off a chain of thrilling events. Walter Hartright, a drawing teacher, finds himself entwined in a dark conspiracy involving identity theft and madness. As he seeks to uncover the truth, he encounters a cast of intriguing characters, each with their own secrets. The tale unfolds with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Will Walter solve the mystery, or will the shadows of the past consume him?
By Wilkie Collins
Published: 2003
""The past is a never-ending cycle, a shadow that clings to us even as we strive to break free from its grasp.""
The Woman in White famously opens with Walter Hartright's eerie encounter on a moonlit London road. Engaged as a drawing master to the beautiful Laura Fairlie, Walter is drawn into the sinister intrigues of Sir Percival Glyde and his "charming" friend Count Fosco, who has a taste for white mice, vanilla bonbons and poison. Pursuing questions of identity and insanity along the paths and corridors of English country houses and the madhouse, The Woman in White is the first and most influential of the Victorian genre that combined Gothic horror with psychological realism. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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“"The past is a never-ending cycle, a shadow that clings to us even as we strive to break free from its grasp."”
The Woman in White
By Wilkie Collins
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Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was a prominent English novelist and playwright, best known for his pioneering contributions to the detective and mystery genres. His notable works include 'The Woman in White' (1859) and 'The Moonstone' (1868), the latter often considered one of the first modern detective novels. Collins was renowned for his intricate plots, memorable characters, and innovative use of multiple perspectives, blending gothic elements with social commentary. His writing style is characterized by its suspenseful narrative and exploration of themes such as morality, gender, and the complexities of human behavior.
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