Armadale

Wilkie Collins

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'Armadale' by Wilkie Collins is a Victorian novel that revolves around a complex web of relationships, secrets, and betrayals. The story follows multiple generations of men named Allan Armadale and the mysterious femme fatale, Lydia Gwilt. The plot is filled with twists and turns, as characters navigate issues of identity, fate, and morality. Collins employs omniscient narration, fictitious letters, and diary entries to tell the story, keeping readers engaged with deception and secrecy among the characters. The book explores themes such as heredity, destiny, and the consequences of the sins of the fathers on the children.

The narrative is structured with intricate character development, particularly focusing on the enigmatic Lydia Gwilt, who is portrayed as a conniving yet sympathetic anti-heroine. The story unfolds with suspenseful elements, complex plots, and unexpected revelations, making 'Armadale' a gripping and compelling read for fans of Victorian sensationalist novels.

Characters:

Characters are memorable and complex, particularly the manipulative Lydia Gwilt, with contrasting protagonists in Allan and Ozias who embody different strengths and weaknesses.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and multi-faceted, blending humor with serious themes, though it can be intricate and at times overly elaborate.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is complex and revolves around two young men with the same name whose lives are intertwined through a history of murder and deception, exploring themes of fate, identity, and revenge.

Setting:

The setting spans 19th century England and the West Indies, reflecting Victorian societal complexities and adding an exotic dimension.

Pacing:

The pacing is inconsistent, with a slower beginning that can feel tedious, but it picks up in the second half, keeping the reader engaged.

The evening shadows were beginning to gather over the quiet little German town, and the diligence was expected every minute. Before the door of the principal inn, waiting the arrival of the first visi...

Notes:

The novel features two men named Alan Armadale connected by a complex family history.

One Alan Armadale is the son of a murderer who confesses his crime on his deathbed.

The plot includes themes of supernatural elements, fate, and the consequences of past sins.

Lydia Gwilt is considered one of literature's first femme fatales, a beautiful and cunning villain.

The book is known for its intricate plot, including mistaken identities and revenge.

Wilkie Collins wrote the novel in 1866 while suffering from illness, impacting his writing style.

The story is structured with multiple narrative voices, including diary entries and letters from Lydia Gwilt.

The novel explores societal issues such as race, class, and the role of women in Victorian England.

The character Ozias Midwinter, originally named Alan Armadale, changes his identity to escape his father's past.

Armadale is one of Collins's longest novels, spanning nearly 900 pages and known for its melodrama.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers might include themes of murder, betrayal, psychological manipulation, and discussions of race; readers should be aware of the darker elements characteristic of Collins's narratives.

Has Romance?

Romantic relationships play a significant role, particularly the complicated dynamics involving Lydia Gwilt and the two Armadales, but the romance is intertwined with themes of betrayal and manipulation.

From The Publisher:

Wilkie Collins was an English novelist, poet, and playwright writing in the mid 19th century. His writing was very popular; consisting of 27 novels, 50 short stories, 15 plays and over 100 poems. His best-known works were The Woman in White, The Moonstone and Armadale. Collins was greatly influenced by his friend Charles Dickens. Written in 1866 this semi-epistolary novel consists of chapters written in the form of letters between the characters and other chapters written from the perception of the characters. Two cousins are named Allan Armadale as well as both of their fathers. One father gives his son a death bed letter confessing his murder of the other senior Alan Armadale. After a convoluted plot the book concludes with the theme that the sins of the fathers are not visited on the children, and the son of the murderer can turn out to be a good person. Collins will revisit this theme in a later novel.

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