Better Than a ‘Regular’ Detective Novel (The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins)

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Product:	The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins
Date:	13/02/01 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A multifaceted story told from various perspectives. Original and clever.

Disadvantages: Slow at times, but not excruciatingly so. Ending might be too circumstantial for some.

Having read a number of ‘classics’, I find it difficult to comprehend why many people do not consider Wilkie Collin’s “The Moonstone” the epitome of the ‘genre’. After all, it has all the ingredients for a classic literary feast, and is indeed worthy of being identified as a timeless and elegant masterpiece.

Set in Victorian times, the vivacious and effervescent descriptions allow the reader to fully submerge him/her-self in the traditions, conventions and principles of the period. He/she learns the to adopt, whilst reading “The Moonstone”, a different manner of thinking so as to sympathise with, empathize with, pass judgement on, or condemn characters as the Author intends. It really is ingeniously crafted, and readers might find themselves adopting Victorian attitudes in their approach to the characters and the situations in which they find themselves. Indeed “The Moonstone” fluently exposes the social mores of the era.

The synopsis is quite simple: in essence, a detective novel - the Moonstone, a brilliantly luminous but cursed diamond, is presented to Rachel on her 18th birthday and is promptly stolen. Who filched this fabulous gift? However, we are faced here with a mystery which is nothing like the usual whodunit tale; because throughout the story the reader is furnished with the sensation of actually being the detective attempting to solve the crime.

Although, the events surrounding the acquisition, presentation to Rachel and subsequent theft of the Moonstone are told by a number of characters, the novel does not shape up to be a Victorian literary version of “Groundhog Day”; this is extremely refreshing and most pleasantly surprising. Each account is extremely individual and wonderfully illustrates the storyteller’s character and how he or she views the other characters. In addition, Collins seems to effortlessly adjust the pace and wri
ting style according to the each personage.

There is so much more to this novel than meets the eye and the final twist is beautifully narrated to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together in a seamless moment leaving the reader almost breathless. There are a number of themes presented in the shape of the petty vanities and various other attributes of some characters and also in their interaction with one another. These themes, love, betrayal, hatred, etc, are exceedingly well portrayed by the description of characters’ actions, rather than pointless over emotional verbiage, hence the pace, whilst not speedy is definitely far from lethargic. This makes Collins (and “The Moonstone” in particular) even more pleasurable to read and not as difficult to interpret as, for example, Jane Austin or Thomas Hardy – both of whom occasionally delve into rambling depictions of emotions.

There are only two slight flaws:

Firstly, the (albeit) brief portrayal of the Hindus from whom the diamond was originally stolen and the Muslims who originally stole it, is perhaps a little detrimental; whilst the British, who then snatched the diamond from the Muslims are portrayed in an extremely righteous fashion. Although this does not in anyway diminish Collins’ masterful storytelling, it is a noteworthy point.

Secondly, the climax, although exciting might be considered by many a reader as too circumstantial, as much of the evidence is (although readily available to the characters) not presented until it’s almost too late. However, this may be the device Collins uses to keep her ending as electrifying as possible, and besides, it does prevent any sure guesses as to the identity of the guilty party.

“The Moonstone” comes highly recommended for those who enjoy reading classics or detective novels or stories from the Victorian period. More than just a spectator watching events unfold, the reader i
s made to feel he/she is a principle participant in the story – Collins’ greatest achievement in the telling of this tale.

It is almost like a test: Will you pass? Are you a worthy detective?!

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