Mystery and Crime Collins, Wilkie: Basil. v1. 06 July 07

[Dr. Drib]

Here's another great mystery/sensation novel by Wilkie Collins.

Here's a long quote:

"This is Collins' first "sensation" novel, and while it cannot compare with his mature works, it shows many of the features that he later developed. It is also interesting in how it dares toy with sexual passion (buried however far under Victorian euphemism and misdirection).

"It tells the story of Basil, a young man of the upper middle class, who falls instantly in love with a young lady who he meets by accident on an omnibus. She is from the lower class, her father being a tradesman, well beneath Basil's "station in life". Nevertheless, Basil pursues her and secretly marries her, on the understanding with her father that for one year they must remain apart (and reading between the lines, celibate).

"It all comes to pieces when Basil discovers her passion for an employee of her father. Basil follows them, and in a (for the times) steamy scene, overhears them having sex in a cheap hotel. Basil in a fury attacks her lover and greviously disfigures him.

"The rest of the novel concentrates on the lover's thirst for revenge and pursuit of Basil.

"As I say, not a mature novel, but well worth reading anyway."


I hope you enjoy it. (I haven't mentioned this in awhile, but let me know if there are any snafu problems with the books I'm transcribing, such as formatting issues, horrendous errrors, etc.)

Don

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