The Law and the Lady (The World's Classics) [Paperback]

W. Wilkie Collins (Author), Jenny Bourne Taylor (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0192828479 | ISBN-13: 978-0192828477

Probably the first full-length novel with a woman detective as its heroine, The Law and the Lady (1875) is a fascinating example of Collins' later fiction. Valeria Valerie Woodville's first act as a married woman is to sign her name incorrectly in the marriage register; this slip is followed by a gradual disclosure of secrets about her husband's earlier life, each of which leads to another set of questions and enigmas. Developing many of the techniques at work in The Moonstone in bizarre and unexpected ways, and employing both Gothic and fantastic elements, The Law and the Lady adds a significant dimension to the history of the detective novel.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wilkie (William) Collins (1824-89) was a hugely successful and popular crime, mystery and suspense writer. He wrote the first full-length detective novels in English and set a mould for the genre as shown in The Moonstone and The Woman in White. David Skilton teaches at the University of Wales, Cardiff. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 19, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192828479
• ISBN-13: 978-0192828477
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #664,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Story of Lady Detective Challenging Victorian World, April 13, 2002

By 

Tsuyoshi (Kyoto, Japan) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Law and the Lady (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Many fans and critics agree that Wilkie Collins' writing talent declined after the gripping "The Moonstone," and his works in the 1870s and 80s are sometimes dismissed as misfires of once-genius mystery writer. Though part of the low estimation is reasonable (and some of the works in this era testifies to this opinion), many of them are still readable and interesting. And "The Law and the Lady" should be classified among those neglected pieces.

Probably the first full-length novel featuring female detective, the novel follows the story of heroine Valeria, who marries Eustace happily in the opening of the book. However, she discovers behind the happy marriage a terrible secret, which involved an unsolved murder case in her newly-wed husband's past, and soon she realizes that her husband is not exactly what she thought. To clear her tainted (and his) family name, Valeria single-handedly embarks on a job of amateur detective.

To fully relish the story, you have to remember several things: one of them is that the book is partly inspired by the real-life case of Madeline Smith, who, it was alleged, disposed of her lover with arsenic. Collins made use of this well-known, sensational case, changing the sex of the accused, and he deftly challenges many concepts embedded in morally strict Victorians. So, when Valeria appoints herself as a detective, her "job" (in Victorian society in which ladies are supposed not to work, with the possible exception of poorly-paid governess) starts to have another meaning. Collins, on the one hand attacking the insufficient laws of Scotland, which give its unique "Not-Proven" verdict to the accused when the jury cannot decide whether or not he/she is guilty, also challenges the morally rigid Victorian ideas about male/female concept. This is not to say Wilkie Collins is a feminist; but considering he never married (but, it is generally agreed, had two mistresses), his unique ideas about contemporary males and females are reflected in this seemingly starange work.

And as a detective novel, "The Law and The lady" has still power to entertain us. Though its beginning part is a little shaky because of implausible situations, the book gradually gets you into the thrilling adventure of Valeria, who overcomes all the barriars on her way to the truth. Though the fact that Collins' best work(s) is "The Moonstone" or "The Woman in White," this book is enjoyable. shows some version of Victorian ideas about the roles of males and females.

By the way, it is argued that the first fictional female detective (including amateur) is also created by Collins in his short story "The Diary of Anne Rodway." (1856) This short can be found in most of the collection of his short stories. But if you know another contender for the first female PI, let me know.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong, wonderful female lead...I couldn't put it down!, March 8, 2011

By 

Angela Wolf "bookangel" (Hamburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Law and the Lady (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Valeria meets Eustace, a man who seems to have few friends and lots of secrets. They fall passionately in love and are soon married. On their honeymoon Valeria finds out that Eustace married her under an assumed name...and that he was never acquitted of the murder of his first wife. Eustace immediately leaves her to protect her from his shame and disgrace.

Her happiness crumbles, but she steadfastly believes in his innocence. She makes it her life's goal to prove he did NOT murder his wife, to clear his name. But if he didn't murder his wife, then who did? Women were not supposed to investigate these matters in those days, so she faces lots of opposition, even from her friends.

Valeria is a wonderful, strong female lead and the reader can't help but cheer her on in her battles. Along her journey she meets some eccentric characters that brighten the novel, such as Major Fitz-David - a 'major' flirt, and the brilliant, eccentric disabled man named Dexter.

I loved this book. After Part One I could NOT put it down...I needed to find out how it ended.

It's hard to say anything bad about this book. The only negative to me was reading the views of society at the time. Women and disabled people were not treated with the respect they deserved, and it bothers me to read that. However, Valeria fights against those stereotypes and I greatly enjoyed her small victories.

This book has a little of everything...mystery, suspense, insanity, secret diaries, romance, etc. If you enjoy books like Jane Eyre and The Woman in White, you'll probably love this book too.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three and a half stars, November 20, 2001

By 

Jayne MacManus (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Law and the Lady (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Wilkie Collins is most famous for his classic mysteries, "The Moonstone" and "The Woman in White." Both were influences to 20th century mystery masters like Dorothy Sayers. In "The Law and the Lady" first published in 1875, Collins focuses on the plight of Valeria Woodville who unwittingly marries a man previously tried for poisoning his first wife. Evidence and testimony could not convince the jury of his guilt or innocence, and an unusual Scotch verdict of "Not Proven" is handed down. He assumes a new name and conceals his tainted past when he marries Valeria. She, however, proves to be a very perceptive and resourceful woman who discovers the truth on her own. Unshaken in her love, she vows to clear her husband's name and reputation in order to secure their future happiness.

*** In his signature works, Collins often frustrates the reader's patience with his lengthy narrative style. But "The Law and the Lady" moves along surprisingly well. Despite some ridiculous and dated perceptions about the sexes (Collins frequently has characters and Valeria herself remark that she's "only a woman"), Valeria's actions prove she's admirably keen and the one to get things rolling.

*** Collins should also get points for introducing the outrageously campy, scene-stealing characters of the lunatic genius Misserimus Dexter and his devoted, but moronic cousin Ariel. Missing both his legs, Dexter scoots around either like the "new centaur" (half-man, half wheel chair) or on his hands like a "frog". It's this added element of circus freakshow that effectively ruffles the otherwise creaky Victorian setting.