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The Moonstone (Modern Library)
 
 
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The Moonstone (Modern Library) (Paperback)

by Wilkie Collins (Author) "In the first part of Robinson Crusoe, at page one hundred and twenty-nine, you will find it thus written: Now I saw, though too late,..." (more)
4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
RRP: £5.99
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Frequently Bought Together

The Moonstone (Modern Library) + The Woman in White (Penguin Popular Classics) + Lady Audley's Secret (Wordsworth Classics)
Price For All Three: £9.49

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Product details

  • Paperback: 528 pages
  • Publisher: Modern Library Inc; New edition edition (5 Oct 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0375757856
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375757853
  • Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13 x 2.5 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 708,222 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #41 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Authors, A-Z > C > Collins, Wilkie
    #91 in  Books > Fiction > The Classics > Collins, Wilkie

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Product Description

Review
"The first and greatest of English detective novels."
--T. S. Eliot

Catherine Peters, author of The King of Inventors: A Life of Wilkie Collins
"This Moonstone will surely prove another winner for Broadview’s list." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
In the first part of Robinson Crusoe, at page one hundred and twenty-nine, you will find it thus written: Now I saw, though too late, the Folly of beginning a Work before we count the Cost, and before we judge rightly of our own Strength to go through wit" Read the first page
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Moonstone (Modern Library)
85% buy the item featured on this page:
The Moonstone (Modern Library) 4.6 out of 5 stars (14)
£5.39
The Woman in White (Penguin Popular Classics)
6% buy
The Woman in White (Penguin Popular Classics) 4.5 out of 5 stars (31)
£2.11
The Moonstone (Penguin Popular Classics)
4% buy
The Moonstone (Penguin Popular Classics) 4.1 out of 5 stars (14)
£2.25
Lady Audley's Secret (Wordsworth Classics)
3% buy
Lady Audley's Secret (Wordsworth Classics) 4.2 out of 5 stars (11)
£1.99
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Customer Reviews

14 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars "The first, the longest, and the best..." - T S Eliot., 30 Oct 2002
By John Austin "austinjr@bigpond.net.au" (Kangaroo Ground, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
This review is from: The Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
It was T S Eliot who described Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" as "the first, the longest, and the best of Modern English detective novels". Not everybody might agree with this, but all practitioners, readers, and fans of detective fiction will find much to admire and enjoy in this magnificent 1868 publication.

Although not exactly the first example of detection novels, it provides the archetypal sleuth, Sergeant Cuff, an astute though idiosyncratic detective who leads the chase to the solution of the mystery, easily surpassing the dim-witted local police authorities. It also explores the full potential of the whodunit formula.

Arguably, it is still the longest example of detective fiction. Unlike most other serialized novels of its era, this one is meticulously plotted. You'll find red herrings, suspense, the unexpected, climaxes that overwhelm or fizzle out, and a satisfying denouement. It is narrated largely by some of the principal characters. All are revealed in well-rounded perspective while carrying forward the story line. The most popular has always been Drusilla Clack, "that rampant spinster", a self-righteous tract-dispensing lady who likes to eavesdrop and to be judgmental.

Is it the best? I would unhesitatingly award it the prize, while welcoming other internet browsers to name other contenders.

Wealthy internet browsers are recommended to download the unabridged audio reading of the book. It is a novel that reads well, and the full length reading available is a model of its kind. Naxos has produced an abridged version. It has the benefit of multiple readers, but most of the charm and all the atmosphere seems to disappear in the abridgment process. Book format will put you in touch with the original text and, provided you have the leisure and disposition for tackling a 20 hour read, will provide your imagination, your mind and your literary appetite with rich material.

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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeliness Masterpiece, 8 Dec 2002
This review is from: The Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
I was enthralled from the beginning of the book, the fascinating history and "curse" of the Moonstone, as I continue to read on, it was almost impossible to put down the book. An enthralling combination of what makes a "bestseller" nowadays, a cursed gem, the oriental touch, a murder, a love story. The writing was excellent, the characters are vivid, and the progress through a series of narrative by the various characters adds to the suspense of the crime. The plot is also good, it is not easy to guess who stole the Moonstone, even though the book was written about 140 years ago. It won't disappoint you.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic romp, 19 Jun 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Moonstone (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)
I wish this book wasn't a "classic" because I was put off reading it for years thinking it would be stuffy. When I eventually overcame my preconceptions I discovered it's a madly entertaining romp that uses every Gothic cliche you could invent. A young beautiful heroine who's to inherit a fabulous Indian diamond bearing a curse, a party at a remote country house, the family's faithful old butler, the heroine's dashing cousin who no-one's seen for years, an ex-criminal servant girl with a sinister secret, quicksands, dodgy Indian jugglers (this is 150 years pre political correctness) with a clairvoyant servant-boy, a returning traveller who unmasks them as Brahmin priests determined to get the jewel back, an opium addict, murder and intrigue. So who did steal the diamond? It'll take you right till the end to find out in the most fantastic plot twist, and you'll be gripped all the way.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you like Victorian thrillers?
If you like thrillers written in the Victorian era, with all the detail and chiaroscuro of Dickens' stories, this is "the one". Read more
Published 16 days ago by City Kitty

5.0 out of 5 stars The Moonstone
The first time I read The Moonstone I was both surprised and enthralled. Surprised because I didn't expect the story to be so well structured, so full of suspense and to combine... Read more
Published 23 days ago by LML

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD SOLID STORY WITH MUCH TO MAKE YOU THINK OF
Having had a copy of this book sat on my shelf for many years it was in fact buying an ex library copy of the Law & the Lady for 40p which made me a fan of Collins. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jeejack

5.0 out of 5 stars They dont write them like this any more!
I loved this book. A timeless masterpiece, that does the job and, whilst technically excellent, doesnt take itself too seriously. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lorry M

5.0 out of 5 stars Candy box of surprises
Pastiche Victorian mystery and adventure tales are currently in vogue; but why settle for an imitation when you can read the real thing? Read more
Published 11 months ago by reader 451

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant!!!!!
this is an awesome book i'd recommend to any age or sex...it's just brillant, with laugh out loud parts, fab characters, a gripping plot and an excellent ending. Read more
Published 11 months ago by jesus' girl

4.0 out of 5 stars Packed full of dastardly adventures, hilarious characters and a mystery with a diamond at its heart
T S Eliot called The Moonstone "the first, the longest and the best of modern English detective novels". It's hard not to agree. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Rivercassini

2.0 out of 5 stars Long and Tedious
This might be the first detective novel but the story is dragged out to fit a serialisation schedule when it was first published. Read more
Published 19 months ago by R. P. Sedgwick

5.0 out of 5 stars First Class Mystery
As to the quality of the novel, I can only echo the sentiments of the other reviews. However, new reviewers beware of the explanatory notes. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2007 by Tony Walker

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece of crime fiction
A story about the theft of a diamond seems pretty tame stuff compared to the bloodthirsty standard of today, but the masterful craftsmanship of Wilkie Collins turns a seemingly... Read more
Published on 15 Nov 1999 by p_hammerton@yahoo.co.uk

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