October Group Read - The Woman in White Discussion on Finishing

Post here once you've finished the book. Spoilers are allowed here.

I got so caught up in the story that I just had to finish and see what the final outcome was. I was glad that the villians got their just rewards and that Marian, Laura and Walter got their mostly happy ending. I never really warmed to Laura, although the story revolved around her, I found her quite bland and insipid.

A small note about Frederick Fairlie. I actually found myself giggling at his self dedication to his own comforts and peace. Not an admirable man, but an interesting addition to the story.

I posted then deleted this from the third epoch because it's one big spoiler:

I just finished and loved the ending. Much of it was predictable except for the fact that my favorite little Italian, Professor Pesca saved the day. Who would have predicted that? All I can think of when I think of little Pesca is a cross between Roberto Benigni and the little professor from the Harry Potter movies. It was a stroke of genius to make him the savior. I agree Hartright's narrative got tiresome, once more the old pay by the word was in evidence. And why anyone would marry Laura instead of Marian is beyond me. I have a sweet, loving little dachshund, Amelia, whom I love with all my heart, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to marry her. It did result in a correct distribution of wealth, however. One more little difficulty is that Marian seems to have contracted typhus from getting cold and wet in the night air. Hmm. I guess that was the thinking of the time. Microbiology has completely changed our view of the world. Fosco did laud chemistry, what might he thought of this further science? Oh, and didn't you love Fosco's ignominious death. Just perfect. As for his long letter, is this where we get the device of having the villain recapitulate all his dastardly deeds? It's an old move now, but then I can see everyone wringing their hands in glee.

Frederick Fairlie, I agree, was another perfect character, so that makes 4: Marian, Fosco, Pesca and Fairlie. I'd call that quite a literary accomplishment.

Oops - I missed this "finished" thread and posted my comments in the third section.

I really "liked" Frederick Fairlie as well. I thought it was kind of funny that Walter, Laura, and Marian were so surprised that he actually died. Remember the earlier comment (I think by the Count?) that men like him who coddle themselves and are ill all the time never seem to die?

I also liked the shifting narrators. It's an idea that has been used by so many subsequent authors successfully.

I'm kind of interested in reading some of Collins's other works. I've read The Moonstone before, which is very similar to The Woman in White. But I've also had No Name sitting on my shelf for ever. It's not a mystery and I wonder if Collins can get the same page-turning action in a non-mystery. Maybe I'll get to it this year.

I think Walter was a very clever man. By marrying Laura, he also gets the companionship of Marian for life, as she would make her home with them. Two for the price of one ... clever man.

Clever man, but Marian is clever too yet she seems to choose a celibate life. I know in the time before reliable contraception that's an option, but she's giving up quite a bit just to stay near puppy dog Laura and Walter. Surely there are non evil men out there who would appreciate her and with whom she could live a life of equality. I know, that's not the book he chose to write.

Sad that one of the few characters to appreciate Marian was Fosco, maybe she should have headed to the Continent!

I did enjoy this a lot, fast moving action, lots of threads and well-written characters - esp. Fosco, Marian and Fairlie. It was good to see Pesca back at the end, I must admit I was confused as to why such an interesting character had been introduced, only to disappear rather rapidly.

I have a sweet, loving little dachshund, Amelia, whom I love with all my heart, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to marry her. Exactly!!! It was driving me crazy that Laura did absolutely nothing on her own behalf. And how patronizing, giving her the "job" of painting and then giving her some pennies for it. & how stupid of her to believe it! She was a dishrag. A pretty, lemon scented dishrag, but still a dishrag.

Oh, the typhus thing was just Fosco's little attempt at playing the doctor. He hired someone who would agree with him. I think we were supposed to know it wasn't typhus. I still think he was poisoning her. Why confess to more crimes than you have to?

Ah, I'm thinking Auntie Marian had an affair (nudge nudge wink wink) with Pesca. Her happy, celibate lifestyle bothered me too. They talk about doing something for Marian, but never encourage her to do anything for herself.

Well, The Woman in White was written by a man, so why wouldn't it have some good old fantasy fulfillment in it? Walter ends up with the hot girl and the smart girl. That they can't be the same person has a lot to do with when the book was written. The perfect woman of the time would not have had the courage and ingenuity to act as Marian did. But Walter certainly prefers to spend his time with Marian -- did you notice how often they'd stay up to talk after they'd put Laura to bed. In a modern novel, her role would have been filled by a child.

If you were Marian, would you have been willing to get married and hand over all control over your own life to some Victorian guy? The whiskers alone are off-putting.

If you were Marian, would you have been willing to get married and hand over all control over your own life to some Victorian guy? The whiskers alone are off-putting.

I've thought about this a lot with victorian novels. A strong, intelligent woman seems to be much better off unmarried (as long as she has a private fortune) because she gives up so much power by marrying. Two non-fiction books, Wild Romance: A Victorian Story of a Marriage, a Trial, and a Self-made Woman by Chloe Schama and Wedlock: The True Story of the Disastrous Marriage and Remarkable Divorce of Mary Eleanor Bowes, Countess of Strathmore both completely convinced me of how dangerous it could be to pick the wrong husband in that era.

I agree completely that the Victorian woman was much better off unmarried and not giving a man power over her, but the celibacy part was quite a draw back. I agree, though, Ridgeway Girl, that the whiskers would have been a real turn off, somewhat like the "masculine" 3 day beard growth that is supposed to be so attractive today.

We're in agreement on the whiskers! Speaking of Victorian Marriages, it's been a long time since I read this, but Parallel Lives: Five Victorian Marriages by Phyllis Rose talks about the marriages of various famous Victorians - John Ruskin, George Elliot etc. There was a lot of dirt swept under carpets back then, if ya catch my drift.

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!

Just added my review, as I can't remember how to link it from Librarything, here is my Bookcrossing journal entry: http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/10190094

Good review Soffitta. I think it's amazing that this book has had such a warm reception. I think pretty much everyone in the group liked the book.

Just to add my two cents, RidgewayGirl #9, I had the same thoughts every time Walter and Marian put baby Laura to bed and shut themselves in the parlor to talk. I really did think Walter had begun falling for Marian , especially as he noted that his ardor towards Laura had cooled once she didn't look so good after a couple of months in the asylum.