The twists and turns this novel took were masterful. The villains were a bit obvious, but most likely they were meant to be portrayed that way, to create sympathy for these parted lovers. This is a novel that highlights the evil of men and their greed, and the power to possess women. It shows the injustice of how women were treated at the time of this novel, how little say they had in their own lives and their inability to inherit. It was very sad to see a women stripped of her livelihood and so easily pushed into an asylum. But it was also a story of justice being served. I really liked the character of Marian Halcombe, Laura's half-sister. I was annoyed at first by the way she was described, but found her to be the best, most honest, most fearless of the characters. She protected her sister at all costs, questioned all that was happening, risked her own life in order to find out the truth. She was willing to sacrifice her comfortable life in order to be with her half-sister. Hartright also goes out of his way in order to protect the woman he loves. Sacrifices everything he has to prove her identity. Sir Percival and Count Fosco are the epitome of gothic villains. Two men intent on nefarious acts on women in order to further their own ends. Fosco is especially terrifying in his ability to sway others to his purpose. He is cunning, sly, charming, and deadly. It is his persuasion that leads to much of the dastardly deeds. Also, it was creepy how enthralled he was with Marian, her tenacity and smarts may have been what saved her and Laura. The format of the novel keeps the pace moving, which is good as it is over 500 pages. There are several points of view, including household staff, as accounts are laid out of the events. Whether through the diary pages of Marian, to the testimony of the staff and a doctor, to letters from those involved in the scandal. This book may have been the first mystery to be part novel and part epistolary. Loved it! While I have the novel in paperback, I urge you to listen to the audiobook with a full cast. It adds a lot of depth and realism to the novel. Sucking you right into the pages and leaving you gasping at the audacity of some men.
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