Never start a Wilkie Collins whilst writing up an essay

[elettaria]

Those of you who know me may be aware of my habit of reading other texts by authors I'm working on, a sort of cross between background reading and work avoidance. I now have an excellent grounding in Gaskell, I've read 4 1/3 novels of hers just in order to talk about North and South. (I got a bit bored with Cranford.) But after reading the last 300 pages of Wives and Daughters yesterday, which is lovely but a tad slow, I was ripe for rebellion. I did the essay stint, wrote about half of the thing in fact, and then picked up that Wilkie Collins I'd found at Oxfam recently, No Name. Just one chapter, then I'd go to bed.

Actually, it was only two chapters. But I then read another 150 pages today. I've read enough Collins to know perfectly well that he writes thrillers (of a sort), it's my own silly fault. Oh well, hopefully I'll finish off that essay fairly quickly tonight and then I can get back to the delights of hurtling through a huge Victorian novel, dying to know what will happen next and whether I've guessed correctly. (I guessed both Osborne's and Cynthia's secrets in W&D, I was quite proud of myself.) I'm in love with Magdalen Vanstone, by the way.

Considering that I'm spending the semester on Victorian novels (industrial), and writing my dissertation on late-Victorian novels (gothic), you'd think I'd go for some other form of escapism.

One complaint. Could Penguin kindly stop giving away the plot on the back of the book?

Next day

I finished the essay last night, read another 300 pages of Collins, and finished the book off this afternoon. (And now the eternal whine arises: I need something to read...) I'm now rereading and tweaking the essay, a novel sensation since I usually finish them in the nick of time and don't have time for this process. I think there's something wrong with my sentences. *broods*

Comments

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

I've not seen the film, I wonder whether the uni have it. As I said, the book's lovely but it's a touch slow , it certainly doesn't rattle on at the speed Mary Barton does, for instance. But the style is gorgeous, she's really honed it by this point and there is some marvellous characterisation. It's also nice to see Gaskell's bitchy side being properly developed. Have you read any other Gaskell, and do you like nineteenth-century novels in general?

[lalumena.livejournal.com]

I haven't read a lot of nineteenth century novels, or Gaskell. I have read Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice...but who hasn't!? I keep meaning to read the Moonstone-the movie was VERY cool. I tend to view rather than watch as they can be somewhat heavy going in parts and I have a tendency to be a lazy reader...once I've finished my exams, I may give Gaskell a go. My old English teacher did her post-doctorate thesis on Wives and Daughters, btw.
I have added you but you are absolutely free not to do the same!

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

I don't really do personal journals any more so I'm not likely to add anyone, so don't be offended. Thanks for adding me, it also means that I can click on you from my user info page and drop in occasionally.

Viewing rather than watching? Shame on you! The Moonstone is fantastic and the last thing from a heavy read.

[lalumena.livejournal.com]

Not offended, no worries. I know The Moonstone's not a heavy read...I did start it but I probably never got round to finishing it. I have a tendency to float between books, you see.

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

I usually have several on the go at once, I've been trying to break myself of this habit for years.

They've just starting showing North and South on television. I don't have a TV, but it sounds as dire as we predicted.

[lalumena.livejournal.com]

I'll have to check up on the plot...I don't know of that book.

[elettaria.livejournal.com]

It's Gaskell in Industrial Novel mode, Southern daughter of a dissenting clergyman meets Northern mill owner and proceed to wrangle their way to a relationship, in the process educating each other. I've just finished writing an essay on it, so it's nice to be able to put it behind me now.