Product Description

`This time the fiction is founded upon facts' stated Wilkie Collins in his Preface to Man and Wife (1870). Many Victorian writers responded to contemporary debates on the rights and the legal status of women, and here Collins questions the deeply inequitable marriage laws of his day. Man and Wife examines the plight of a woman who, promised marriage by one man, comes to believe that she may inadvertently have gone through a form of marriage with his friend, as recognized by the archaic laws of Scotland and Ireland. From this starting-point Collins develops a radical critique of the values and conventions of Victorian society. Collins had already developed a reputation as the master of the `sensation novel', and Man and Wife is as fast moving and unpredictable as The Moonstone and The Woman in White. During the novel the atmosphere grows increasingly sinister as the setting moves from a country house to a London suburb and a world of confinement, plotting, and murder.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79063 in Books
• Published on: 2008-12-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 688 pages

About the Author
Norman Page is Emeritus Professor of English Literature at the University of Nottingham. The author of numerous books on nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature, he is the editor of Mad Monkton in World's Classics, and Consultant Editor for the works of Thomas Hardy in Everyman Paperbacks. He lives in Oakham, Rutland.

Customer Reviews

His best novel (better than the Moonstone & Woman in White)
This is one of Wilkie Collins lesser known novels, but is probably his best.

It is a typical Collins tale starting from the point of view of a woman suffering under the unfairness of the law. However, it quickly develops into a study of how far people will go to secure their goals. It contains a wonderful critique of the male "hero" obsessed with sporting achievement and physical excellence. This was a development in society that Collins thought could only lead to a fall from civilised behaviour.

The plot moves from social matters to murder and develops to a terrifying page-turning climax.

The book combines the best qualities of the Woman in White (great characters and clever plot)with the best qualities of Armadale (exciting climax).

Apart from myself I know a number of people who have read all of Wilkie Collins major novels and most of his shorter ones. This book is voted his best by virtually all of them and if you only read one Wilkie Collins this should be it.

Man and Wife - the suspense will grip you
I love Wilkie Collins and this book was another which had me racing to the finish as I could not bear the suspense! Aside from the usual nailbiting drama, this book makes you reflect on the dreadful position of women within marriage where the law was more or less entirely weighted on the side of the husband. Do not miss this book. You will be completely gripped by it.

The best Wilkie Collins book I've read so far
This is a brilliant page turner - and out of the 5 WC books I've read, it's undoubtedly the best... if (like me) you've never quite managed to get past the first page of the Moonstone start with this one or the Lady and the Law and soon you'll be flying through them all!