R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 3/28/2013 + 1437 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Somehow I know I will have a wonderful read when I pick up a novel by Wilkie Collins. So it was! It begins with a man named Walter Hargrave walking at night to a new position where he is to instruct two young women in painting. As he strolls, musing about his new role, he encounters a woman alone - dressed in white. His encounter with her leaves makes a deep impression on Walter, particularly when he gives her directions and two men meet him later asking about a woman alone. He follows his instincts and misdirects the men thereby protecting the young woman.

References to the woman in white are frequent in this novel and most essential to the plot. As one might suspect, Walter falls in love with one of his students, who loves him, too. However, she is destined to marry someone else - a promise she made to her father on his death bed and will not break. The woman in white has a connection to the fiance and is believed to have written Laura a disturbing letter about him.

The key characters are the teacher, Walter Hargrave; two sisters - Laura Fairlee and Marian Holcombe; the fiance, Sir Percival Clyde; and the Count, Sir Percival's friend. Many characters tell the story - a technique that could be upsetting to readers but is not in this case. Each narrator begins where the other left off or some times a bit before and the effect enhances the novel. My favorite characters were Walter and Marian, a strong and intelligent individual who protects both Walter and Laura.

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