Basil [Paperback]

Wilkie Collins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

In Basil's secret and unconsummated marriage to the linen-draper's sexually precocious daughter, and the shocking betrayal, insanity, and death that follow, Collins reveals the bustling, commercial London of the nineteenth century wreaking its vengeance on a still powerful aristocratic world. Contemporary reviewers vehemently disapproved of this explicit treatment of adultery; and even today the passionate and lurid atmosphere he creates still has the power to disturb the reader. This book is intended for general, students and teachers of Victorian fiction, women's studies.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[A] characteristically chilling work by the master of Victorian suspense."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dorothy Goldman, Deputy Director, School of Continuing Education, University of Kent --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 396 pages
• Publisher: 1st World Publishing (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 142189369X
• ISBN-13: 978-1421893693
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,786,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars perhaps the best of Collins's earlier works.., February 27, 2001

By 

lazza (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basil (World's Classics) (Paperback)

Wilkie Collins came to fame with 'The Woman in White', followed by a succession of 'suspense' novels which are his trademark. 'Basil' is an earlier yet surprisingly mature work, and it is not a suspense novel. 'Basil' chronicles the life of a young, foolish man who falls in love (literally) at first sight with a young woman. He then discovers, too late, that this 'sweet young thing' is not as she first appeared. The author captures Basil's anguish perfectly. While some people might find the entire story to be a bit contrived, I found the emotional element of writing to greatly outweigh this 'love at first' kitsch.

So in conclusion, 'Basil' should have a wider appeal beyond the Wilkie Collins fan club. Folks who love mid-Victorian writing will find much to enjoy with 'Basil'.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Basil's Betrayal, October 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Basil (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

After reading The Woman in White, A Rogue's Life, and attemting The Moonstone, I picked up Basil. Basil's story was more absorbing than any of the other books and my sympathies were entirely with him. I felt his betrayal and utter dejection. If only I could have been his friend!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love is color blind, July 28, 2005

By 

J. G. White "voracious reader" (Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basil (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Basil is a naive sap that any woman wish would fall for her! He completely falls in love with a woman who is only interested in his money but of course, he is blind to that....sounds like a silly romance novel, which I loathe, BUT because it was written in the 1800's, there are descriptive characters, fabulous use of the English language. Collins makes me love mysteries and romance, neither of which type book I read if written in "today's" time. Love every single book of his that I have read, six so far and counting.....