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The Evil Genius
Wilkie Collins is best known for his great mystery The Moonstone and The Woman in White ―and for a life as sensational as are those novels. (The writer who famously advised other novelists to ‘make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, make ‘em wait’ is now known to have kept entire households in different parts of England going simultaneously.) Yet Collins also wrote a succession of extraordinarily powerful novels of private life; of these The Evil Genius is among the finest. The story is motivated by the attraction between Herbert Linley and the woman he hires as governess for his child Kitty―the long suffering Sydney Westerfield. As one expects with Collins, the story is driven forward with deft assurance. Yet he also treats the theme of adultery and divorce in a manner quite unconventional for his time―and, remarkably, he manages to draw readers into a sympathetic understanding of both of the main female the offending governess and the aggrieved wife. The Evil Genius was a very considerable success when first published; indeed, it brought Collins more financially than any of his other works. Over a century later its sinews retain the strength to speak powerfully to the reader; lively and intelligent, it is perhaps the finest of Collins’ later novels.
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First published January 1, 1886
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About the author
Wilkie Collins
2,354 books2,930 followersWilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright, best known for The Woman in White (1860), an early sensation novel, and The Moonstone (1868), a pioneering work of detective fiction. Born to landscape painter William Collins and Harriet Geddes, he spent part of his childhood in Italy and France, learning both languages. Initially working as a tea merchant, he later studied law, though he never practiced. His literary career began with Antonina (1850), and a meeting with Charles Dickens in 1851 proved pivotal. The two became close friends and collaborators, with Collins contributing to Dickens' journals and co-writing dramatic works.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
October 14, 2024
I read the text from Delphi Complete Works of Wilkie Collins for the Novel as well as listening the Audio CD.
In the Audio version The Evil Genius is also presented as a very delightful full company version of the play which was only transcribed within the past few years and as of this reading I don't believe it is available anywhere else. Apparently it was only performed once in 1885 and was not available in printed form.
I have to give it to the Victorian authors, they certainly gave their literature works an over abundance of drama and Collins is one of the best. In this novel and play we have characters than run the gambit of the good and the evil. According to the actual evil genius, the title gets passed around and it's hard to tell who is the most evil of the group. Having read the background or bio of both Collins and Dickens it's a toss up. This is a darn good story and a good place to start for someone who hasn't read any of this authors works as of yet.
In the Audio version The Evil Genius is also presented as a very delightful full company version of the play which was only transcribed within the past few years and as of this reading I don't believe it is available anywhere else. Apparently it was only performed once in 1885 and was not available in printed form.
I have to give it to the Victorian authors, they certainly gave their literature works an over abundance of drama and Collins is one of the best. In this novel and play we have characters than run the gambit of the good and the evil. According to the actual evil genius, the title gets passed around and it's hard to tell who is the most evil of the group. Having read the background or bio of both Collins and Dickens it's a toss up. This is a darn good story and a good place to start for someone who hasn't read any of this authors works as of yet.
December 21, 2010
This one's not "The Moonstone," but it's still a worthy way to spend some time. It's a bit more pulpy, and has echoes of "Jane Eyre" (the poor abused waif who gets sent to a dreadful school and badly used) and any number of other Victorian novels in which good triumphs. It has Dickens echoes, also, which is fitting. (Little Nell and others).
Like Moonstone, though, Collins has such sympathy for his characters, even the ones that lesser writers would portray as demons. There's some debate about who is the Evil Genius, but my vote's for Mrs. Presty. She's such a mix of good and mean, but her unerring sense of her own rightness in all things is rather laughable. It's dangerous, too, but everything, of course, comes out right in the end. Again, like Victorian domestics.
Like Moonstone, though, Collins has such sympathy for his characters, even the ones that lesser writers would portray as demons. There's some debate about who is the Evil Genius, but my vote's for Mrs. Presty. She's such a mix of good and mean, but her unerring sense of her own rightness in all things is rather laughable. It's dangerous, too, but everything, of course, comes out right in the end. Again, like Victorian domestics.
September 7, 2021
Wow, I'm really torn on what to think about the ending of this one!! The story was very simple and straightforward yet the characters and emotion drove the narrative along very well and kept me engrossed (classic Wilkie!). I was particularly invested in the female characters, Sydney and Catherine, and Wilkie did a great job making you feel for both of them. This book certainly was not a condemnation of infidelity, yet at the same time showed an acute understanding of the pain it can cause--(kinda interesting when viewed in the context of Collins' own life but I would definitely need more time to unpack that!).
I really enjoyed it and it definitely gave me lots to think about!
Also, Mrs. Presty was pretty hilarious!
I really enjoyed it and it definitely gave me lots to think about!
Also, Mrs. Presty was pretty hilarious!
August 3, 2018
-Wilkie Collins, the prolific 19th Century writer, has come up with a story which must have hit home to many of his British readers. A husband’s infidelity was not such a rare occurrence in that time period, but in this story, all of the parties seem to be of an exemplary character in so many ways, but they still succumb to particular vices, though with remorse.
-As a prelude to the main story, we first encounter the proceedings of a trial. Roderick Westerfield is being tried for theft and insurance fraud. He is the second son of an English Lord, and so, could inherit neither the title of his father nor his financial holdings. Roderick also embarrassed the family by marrying a woman whose vocation was a barmaid. His elder brother, though, tried to assist him by getting him work on a Merchant ship as a first mate, and he successfully saved the ship from destruction in a storm, a storm which also took the life of the Captain. Roderick then took over, but the ship was ultimately beached through no fault of Roderick, but a fortune in Brazilian gems was missing. Because Roderick had gambling debts, it was assumed that the gems were stolen by him so that Roderick could make good on what he owed.
-Roderick had two children, a daughter, Sydney, whom he loved dearly, and then a son. His wife had no interest in the young girl and only in their son. She knew that if something were to happen to Roderick’s brother, then Roderick or his son would inherit. The trial, though, went badly, and though he was innocent, he was pronounced guilty. The strain of the trial and other factors led to an illness where he died. His wife arranged for a new marriage for herself and left to the States with her son, leaving Sydney in the harsh care of Sydney’s aunt, who was head of a school.
-Life was difficult for Sydney, but she had a natural kindness that could be seen by others. Her aunt, though, took advantage of Sydney, every way she could.
-A young man, Mr. Herbert Linley, had seen an advertisement where someone was offering herself as a nanny. It was written with an honesty that piqued his interest and he came to the school to meet the young woman who happened to be Sydney. He saw how harshly she was spoken to by her aunt, and he felt he must help this young girl to a better life. Sydney was fired from her position in the school, but Linley hired her right away. It was easy to see how frail and undernourished she was, and Linley was determined to give this girl, who he felt had still projected so many fine qualities, a position as nanny to his own daughter.
-Herbert’s wife Caroline, was a fine and beautiful woman. She had charm and also would focus on the better qualities on those she met. Though she was hesitant to accept someone who had no experience in the open position, she too saw something refreshing, with no sign of bitterness or malice in the young girl. Caroline’s mother, Mrs. Presty, was suspicious from the first. She felt that the girl’s past would have still affected her and that something bad would arise if she was hired. She was hired, nonetheless, especially as Herbert and Caroline’s daughter, Kitty, was enchanted with the young Sydney.
-As predicted by Herbert’s mother in law, trouble was coming to the household. As Sydney was nourished both by healthy food and by the love of the household, her sallow features changed for the better and her natural beauty began to come out. This had an effect on Herbert who began to see her not as the young and helpless girl she had been, but as a beautiful young woman. Despite having a wife that was beautiful in her own right, his head was swayed and he chose to express his love for Sydney. Sydney, for her part, was torn between the allegiance that she had for her mistress who was always kind to her, and the attention of a handsome man, which was a new experience that thrilled her. Herbert’s attraction to Sydney, and his choice of Sydney over his wife, finally swayed her, and she accepted the embarrassment of being cruel to her mistress as something unavoidable.
-In order to keep herself completely separate from her husband, Caroline had to separate Herbert from his daughter, and this is where Caroline herself, at the suggestion of her mother, who was richly endowed with the ability to come up with devious plots, (the evil genius of the story) practiced a grand deception of her own on her own child.
-As with all “tangled webs”, this one also had a way of coming back to haunt each of the parties involved. Sydney, Herbert, Caroline and Mrs. Presty are all affected by events which follow. Mainly because of their acceptance of the guilt associated with the committing of those damaging actions, their original actions became difficult to continue being carried out as they first intended. But remorse by those that commit an unjust act is not so easily perceived by the injured party when that remorse remains hidden. It then worsens the damage that was originally inflicted, and in this case, things get worse before getting better.
-Other characters are introduced, and they assist in setting up a chain of events that will bring forth the emotions which will lead to a sort of reconciliation between each of the parties involved.
-Written in the author’s interesting style which has both humor and suspense woven in, the story captivates you as you feel the conflicting emotions of people who know right from wrong, and yet are propelled forward and prevented from changing course by the mere momentum of what they started out doing. Very well written and absorbing, with a satisfying ending as well.
-As a prelude to the main story, we first encounter the proceedings of a trial. Roderick Westerfield is being tried for theft and insurance fraud. He is the second son of an English Lord, and so, could inherit neither the title of his father nor his financial holdings. Roderick also embarrassed the family by marrying a woman whose vocation was a barmaid. His elder brother, though, tried to assist him by getting him work on a Merchant ship as a first mate, and he successfully saved the ship from destruction in a storm, a storm which also took the life of the Captain. Roderick then took over, but the ship was ultimately beached through no fault of Roderick, but a fortune in Brazilian gems was missing. Because Roderick had gambling debts, it was assumed that the gems were stolen by him so that Roderick could make good on what he owed.
-Roderick had two children, a daughter, Sydney, whom he loved dearly, and then a son. His wife had no interest in the young girl and only in their son. She knew that if something were to happen to Roderick’s brother, then Roderick or his son would inherit. The trial, though, went badly, and though he was innocent, he was pronounced guilty. The strain of the trial and other factors led to an illness where he died. His wife arranged for a new marriage for herself and left to the States with her son, leaving Sydney in the harsh care of Sydney’s aunt, who was head of a school.
-Life was difficult for Sydney, but she had a natural kindness that could be seen by others. Her aunt, though, took advantage of Sydney, every way she could.
-A young man, Mr. Herbert Linley, had seen an advertisement where someone was offering herself as a nanny. It was written with an honesty that piqued his interest and he came to the school to meet the young woman who happened to be Sydney. He saw how harshly she was spoken to by her aunt, and he felt he must help this young girl to a better life. Sydney was fired from her position in the school, but Linley hired her right away. It was easy to see how frail and undernourished she was, and Linley was determined to give this girl, who he felt had still projected so many fine qualities, a position as nanny to his own daughter.
-Herbert’s wife Caroline, was a fine and beautiful woman. She had charm and also would focus on the better qualities on those she met. Though she was hesitant to accept someone who had no experience in the open position, she too saw something refreshing, with no sign of bitterness or malice in the young girl. Caroline’s mother, Mrs. Presty, was suspicious from the first. She felt that the girl’s past would have still affected her and that something bad would arise if she was hired. She was hired, nonetheless, especially as Herbert and Caroline’s daughter, Kitty, was enchanted with the young Sydney.
-As predicted by Herbert’s mother in law, trouble was coming to the household. As Sydney was nourished both by healthy food and by the love of the household, her sallow features changed for the better and her natural beauty began to come out. This had an effect on Herbert who began to see her not as the young and helpless girl she had been, but as a beautiful young woman. Despite having a wife that was beautiful in her own right, his head was swayed and he chose to express his love for Sydney. Sydney, for her part, was torn between the allegiance that she had for her mistress who was always kind to her, and the attention of a handsome man, which was a new experience that thrilled her. Herbert’s attraction to Sydney, and his choice of Sydney over his wife, finally swayed her, and she accepted the embarrassment of being cruel to her mistress as something unavoidable.
-In order to keep herself completely separate from her husband, Caroline had to separate Herbert from his daughter, and this is where Caroline herself, at the suggestion of her mother, who was richly endowed with the ability to come up with devious plots, (the evil genius of the story) practiced a grand deception of her own on her own child.
-As with all “tangled webs”, this one also had a way of coming back to haunt each of the parties involved. Sydney, Herbert, Caroline and Mrs. Presty are all affected by events which follow. Mainly because of their acceptance of the guilt associated with the committing of those damaging actions, their original actions became difficult to continue being carried out as they first intended. But remorse by those that commit an unjust act is not so easily perceived by the injured party when that remorse remains hidden. It then worsens the damage that was originally inflicted, and in this case, things get worse before getting better.
-Other characters are introduced, and they assist in setting up a chain of events that will bring forth the emotions which will lead to a sort of reconciliation between each of the parties involved.
-Written in the author’s interesting style which has both humor and suspense woven in, the story captivates you as you feel the conflicting emotions of people who know right from wrong, and yet are propelled forward and prevented from changing course by the mere momentum of what they started out doing. Very well written and absorbing, with a satisfying ending as well.
October 14, 2024
A page-turning domestic, soap opera rather than a sensation novel, but it has thought-provoking themes on divorce, child custody, and infidelity in the Victorian period. I didn't love the resolution, but I don't know what would have been better (therein lies the conflict of the whole book).
This is a middling Wilkie Collins book for me. Good, but far from his best.
This is a middling Wilkie Collins book for me. Good, but far from his best.
April 21, 2020
I have read 4 Wilkie Collins novels before this one (The Woman in White, The Moonstone, No Name and Armadale). I enjoyed them all particularly No Name. However, this one was frankly a dose of melodramatic tosh!!
What on earth was the author thinking of when he started the book? Initially it had the feel of an adventure mystery with lost jewels, a wronged father and sailors in distant parts and yet it found its way into tedious domesticity in suburban London!!!
In a sympathetic vein I could try to see the novel through the eyes of a victorian reader of the late 1880s and be sensationalised by the scandal of divorce and the impropriety of the characters but even then the book's characters are insensible puppets performing to Collins' mad whims. I suppose in serial form it might have been a different read and it is possible his readers would have been happy with a lightweight piece of family romance/scandal but I expected a bit more. There is a real inconsistency in the writing. Some passages, particularly setting up scenes or introducing new characters, compare well with the best of his writing but there are chunks of writing that fall well below his usual standard. The plot is woeful, heavily dependent on coincidence and frankly as convoluted as they get....but all for very little meaningful purpose!!
The novel does serve to highlight the views of the late victorian period and the ridiculous attitudes to women, infidelity, marriage, divorce, religion and class. Collins also uses the book to have a pop at the USA and the topical controversy over copyright.
I understand that Collins wrote this in 1885 some 4 years before his death. He was heavily addicted to Laudanum and was in poor health so this probably explains the inconsistency and faults in the novel.
As for the Evil Genius....what a ridiculously bad title!!!
What on earth was the author thinking of when he started the book? Initially it had the feel of an adventure mystery with lost jewels, a wronged father and sailors in distant parts and yet it found its way into tedious domesticity in suburban London!!!
In a sympathetic vein I could try to see the novel through the eyes of a victorian reader of the late 1880s and be sensationalised by the scandal of divorce and the impropriety of the characters but even then the book's characters are insensible puppets performing to Collins' mad whims. I suppose in serial form it might have been a different read and it is possible his readers would have been happy with a lightweight piece of family romance/scandal but I expected a bit more. There is a real inconsistency in the writing. Some passages, particularly setting up scenes or introducing new characters, compare well with the best of his writing but there are chunks of writing that fall well below his usual standard. The plot is woeful, heavily dependent on coincidence and frankly as convoluted as they get....but all for very little meaningful purpose!!
The novel does serve to highlight the views of the late victorian period and the ridiculous attitudes to women, infidelity, marriage, divorce, religion and class. Collins also uses the book to have a pop at the USA and the topical controversy over copyright.
I understand that Collins wrote this in 1885 some 4 years before his death. He was heavily addicted to Laudanum and was in poor health so this probably explains the inconsistency and faults in the novel.
As for the Evil Genius....what a ridiculously bad title!!!
September 11, 2016
Delving into the varied darknesses of domestic ills...
June 9, 2018
Enjoyable read
Great read! Customs of the day...interesting characters...predictable but enjoyable plot. I have enjoyed many of Wilkie Collins' books and will read more of him.
Great read! Customs of the day...interesting characters...predictable but enjoyable plot. I have enjoyed many of Wilkie Collins' books and will read more of him.
December 5, 2015
Ugh, Randall is the worst. Catherine's life and reputation are ruined, through no fault of her own. She decides to take the only option available to save her and her daughter's future - to say she is a widow, rather than a divorced woman. Randall is incredibly offended, and thinks she should have lived in isolation for the rest of her life. Seriously?! She should have taken herself and her child off to live in solitude, never having a friend, never having a playmate for Kitty nor any marriage prospects for either herself or her daughter, BECAUSE HER HUSBAND COULDN'T CONTROL HIS LUST?! How on earth is this fair?!
Honestly, how dare this book. Catherine does the thing that Dickens and so many contemporaries demand from women - she is completely trusting of her husband, has no suspicions, and even is kind and generous to Sydney. She behaves in all ways compassionately and reasonably, and it is not enough. The book demands she SUFFER, SUFFER, SUFFER, all throughout the rest of her days, because of her husband's infidelity.
Ugh. Now Randall is saying that divorce in the case of desertion by the husband is fine, but divorce merely due to "sexual frailty" is not acceptable. Herbert totally deserted Catherine and Kitty - he ran off with the governess! How is that not desertion? And I have to say, I CANNOT believe everyone would be so strongly against divorce if it had been Catherine who cheated.
Honestly, how dare this book. Catherine does the thing that Dickens and so many contemporaries demand from women - she is completely trusting of her husband, has no suspicions, and even is kind and generous to Sydney. She behaves in all ways compassionately and reasonably, and it is not enough. The book demands she SUFFER, SUFFER, SUFFER, all throughout the rest of her days, because of her husband's infidelity.
Ugh. Now Randall is saying that divorce in the case of desertion by the husband is fine, but divorce merely due to "sexual frailty" is not acceptable. Herbert totally deserted Catherine and Kitty - he ran off with the governess! How is that not desertion? And I have to say, I CANNOT believe everyone would be so strongly against divorce if it had been Catherine who cheated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2018
What a muddle this is! As if he'd started out with one idea, and changed his mind part way - I read that he wrote it as a playscript at the same time, which might account for some of the oddity. It's got some of his usual obsessions, like Divorce and Scottish Law, it's got a wonderful lawyer and a gem of an interfering mother, ridiculous coincidences, unfinished plot lines - but it's a real page turner, highly recommended especially for Wilkie completists. I really wish I knew what he'd originally intended for Sydney's little brother, though.....
December 27, 2016
Throughout the story I kept wondering who WS being referred to as the evil genius. I wanted to strangle at least three of the characters by halfway through! Collins' reminded me of the importance of trust and good communication in marriage.
February 20, 2019
Not one of Wilkie's best. Left a number of loose ends. Very abrupt ending. Never really entirely clear about who the evil genius was. But he definitely gave us a strong view of how devastating marital infidelity can be.
October 15, 2021
I really liked this story. It takes such an honest look at human nature (the mix of good and bad in people). No one is truly vilified, and no one is completely innocent. I love how he builds this story and how he resolves everything (even if it feels a bit like a soap opera and a rushed ending).
June 9, 2024
Published in 1886, this novel is unlike the other detective/sensation type books Wilkie is associated with. His versatility and love of experimentation is far richer than his friend Charles Dickens’s, though Dickens had other, and greater gifts than Collins.
‘Evil Genius,’ though it might have been a publisher's dream for its runaway success, was pilloried by Victorian society for the themes it covered: adultery, divorce, custody battles, women's rights, especially that of remarriage. Here there are no mysteries, no murders, so sensations, except perhaps very slightly at the start of the novel, but it is cleared up swiftly and thrust out of the way. Many readers seem to be in doubt as to who the evil genius of the title really is, and Collins himself refers to her as such only twice, in passing, towards the closing chapters.
‘Evil Genius’ is not more, not less, than a novel of conscience. A morally weak man (Herbert Linley) matched with an unprotected and morally dependent girl (Sydney Westerfield) both find themselves tormented by guilt and Herbert’s ache for his wife, both of which outweigh the initial joys of being together.
The novel is more interesting for its revelation of contemporary attitudes to women and children. The separation and divorce (the judge, in granting the decree, passes severe strictures on Mrs Linley’s tolerant and too generous nature in allowing her governess as much freedom and familiarity, and placing her in such a vulnerable position) also act on Mrs Linley herself.
The law as it then stood made the husband the sole custodian of his children, however abusive his behaviour. Catherine Linley, his wronged wife, wants sole custody of their child. “The cruellest of all separations is proposed to me — and I am expected to submit to it, because my husband’s mistress is fond of my child!” she cries. (Incidentally, the central theme of Anne Brontë’s novel, ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ is also based on a custody issue.) After her divorce, Catherine is free to remarry. Does she want to? If she hesitates, is it because of societal or biblical prohibitions? Is a second marriage adulterous if the first husband is still living, though divorced?
The society of other women of her own station is denied her, and her little girl longs to play with other children of her own age, but this is also denied to the child. Worse: she misses her father and her former governess. She sees the changes around her – her father and governess going away, the comfortable old house shut up, her mother moving to a distant village where nobody knows them, her new name, but is not given any explanation for these changes.
What about that home-wrecker, that viper in the bosom, Sydney Westerfied? Dislike her if you can. Collins has been very sympathetic, very tender, to this child, who from her infancy has had only bad cards dealt to her, and remains despite everything an evil fate can throw at her, without complaint, if not exactly cheerful. Her little charges adore her, and Kitty falls so ill when she leaves, that Mrs Linley is forced to summon her back if her daughter is to survive. Most importantly, Collins is at pains to emphasise her moral integrity despite her brief affair with Herbert Linley.
The redeeming character here is the brother Randall Linley, who loves his brother Linley as much as he admires his former sister-in-law, now living as Mrs Norman. His high principles bring him into contact with Mr Bennydick, a religiously minded philanthropist as well as the lawyer Mr Sarrazin. Between them, they undo the damage done by the Evil Genius, Mrs Presty, Mrs Linley/Norman’s mother. She is not exactly a spiteful woman, but she is a great meddler, even at the cost of her daughter's happiness.
There is a straightforward plot here, but it is convoluted and unconvincing. Still, it makes all the unhappy people happy, and that's what makes for great reading. Collins himself maintained two mistresses at once in separate establishments, though he never married. Perhaps that is why he is so sympathetic to Sydney.
‘Evil Genius,’ though it might have been a publisher's dream for its runaway success, was pilloried by Victorian society for the themes it covered: adultery, divorce, custody battles, women's rights, especially that of remarriage. Here there are no mysteries, no murders, so sensations, except perhaps very slightly at the start of the novel, but it is cleared up swiftly and thrust out of the way. Many readers seem to be in doubt as to who the evil genius of the title really is, and Collins himself refers to her as such only twice, in passing, towards the closing chapters.
‘Evil Genius’ is not more, not less, than a novel of conscience. A morally weak man (Herbert Linley) matched with an unprotected and morally dependent girl (Sydney Westerfield) both find themselves tormented by guilt and Herbert’s ache for his wife, both of which outweigh the initial joys of being together.
The novel is more interesting for its revelation of contemporary attitudes to women and children. The separation and divorce (the judge, in granting the decree, passes severe strictures on Mrs Linley’s tolerant and too generous nature in allowing her governess as much freedom and familiarity, and placing her in such a vulnerable position) also act on Mrs Linley herself.
The law as it then stood made the husband the sole custodian of his children, however abusive his behaviour. Catherine Linley, his wronged wife, wants sole custody of their child. “The cruellest of all separations is proposed to me — and I am expected to submit to it, because my husband’s mistress is fond of my child!” she cries. (Incidentally, the central theme of Anne Brontë’s novel, ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ is also based on a custody issue.) After her divorce, Catherine is free to remarry. Does she want to? If she hesitates, is it because of societal or biblical prohibitions? Is a second marriage adulterous if the first husband is still living, though divorced?
The society of other women of her own station is denied her, and her little girl longs to play with other children of her own age, but this is also denied to the child. Worse: she misses her father and her former governess. She sees the changes around her – her father and governess going away, the comfortable old house shut up, her mother moving to a distant village where nobody knows them, her new name, but is not given any explanation for these changes.
What about that home-wrecker, that viper in the bosom, Sydney Westerfied? Dislike her if you can. Collins has been very sympathetic, very tender, to this child, who from her infancy has had only bad cards dealt to her, and remains despite everything an evil fate can throw at her, without complaint, if not exactly cheerful. Her little charges adore her, and Kitty falls so ill when she leaves, that Mrs Linley is forced to summon her back if her daughter is to survive. Most importantly, Collins is at pains to emphasise her moral integrity despite her brief affair with Herbert Linley.
The redeeming character here is the brother Randall Linley, who loves his brother Linley as much as he admires his former sister-in-law, now living as Mrs Norman. His high principles bring him into contact with Mr Bennydick, a religiously minded philanthropist as well as the lawyer Mr Sarrazin. Between them, they undo the damage done by the Evil Genius, Mrs Presty, Mrs Linley/Norman’s mother. She is not exactly a spiteful woman, but she is a great meddler, even at the cost of her daughter's happiness.
There is a straightforward plot here, but it is convoluted and unconvincing. Still, it makes all the unhappy people happy, and that's what makes for great reading. Collins himself maintained two mistresses at once in separate establishments, though he never married. Perhaps that is why he is so sympathetic to Sydney.
August 2, 2021
First of all, what was that rubbish with the diamonds and the cypher in the prologue?
The only explanation I can think of for something so utterly disconnected from the rest of the story being crowbarred into this novel is that Collins' originally wrote it as a short story, hoping to drag it out into a full novel like "The Moonstone," but he couldn't figure out the mechanics of the cypher or how to expand it into a novel and realised that the ending was too obvious. So instead of scrapping it, he decided to use it to pad out the word count of this novel instead.
Of course, if you've read enough Wilkie Collins 'Novels' before picking up this one, then you're not going to be surprised. You'll be used to subplots and even entire plotlines that mean nothing and go nowhere. You're expecting that every single named person and event in the story will be connected to every other in an utterly absurd web of contrivances. You're experienced enough to know that after spending chapter upon chapter dragging out the most superfluous details and soap opera-style drama to pad out the word count, when he finally gets to the actual point/climax, he barely addresses it at all, leaving you to wonder if you've turned over two pages by mistake. And above all, you know there's a better than 50% chance that the story will boil down to the same 'Love Triangle' drama of whether the leading man will realise that happiness lies with his one true love or be lured away and 'Destroyed' by an evil Temptress.
Of course, Collins always did a pretty good job of dressing up the same old pig in a different silk hat every time. In "The Black Robe" for example, the 'Evil Tempress' was a Jesuit Priest luring the leading man to abandon his wife and child for the priesthood. And in this case, the 'Temptress' isn't evil at all; merely a young and vulnerable woman who had the tragic misfortune of falling in love with the wrong man while the rest of that role was given to the conniving Mother In Law. Indeed, the most jarring thing about this book is that it pulled a 'Psycho' around a century before Alfred Hitchcock, with the woman who had been the protagonist effectively disappearing from the story after her role in it was concluded. But at the end of the day though, as I've already suggested, these romantic dramas by Wilkie Collins are always the same old song with different lyrics and a different gimmick. In this case, Wilkie's social commentary on the Victorian morals surrounding of Divorce.
The only explanation I can think of for something so utterly disconnected from the rest of the story being crowbarred into this novel is that Collins' originally wrote it as a short story, hoping to drag it out into a full novel like "The Moonstone," but he couldn't figure out the mechanics of the cypher or how to expand it into a novel and realised that the ending was too obvious. So instead of scrapping it, he decided to use it to pad out the word count of this novel instead.
Of course, if you've read enough Wilkie Collins 'Novels' before picking up this one, then you're not going to be surprised. You'll be used to subplots and even entire plotlines that mean nothing and go nowhere. You're expecting that every single named person and event in the story will be connected to every other in an utterly absurd web of contrivances. You're experienced enough to know that after spending chapter upon chapter dragging out the most superfluous details and soap opera-style drama to pad out the word count, when he finally gets to the actual point/climax, he barely addresses it at all, leaving you to wonder if you've turned over two pages by mistake. And above all, you know there's a better than 50% chance that the story will boil down to the same 'Love Triangle' drama of whether the leading man will realise that happiness lies with his one true love or be lured away and 'Destroyed' by an evil Temptress.
Of course, Collins always did a pretty good job of dressing up the same old pig in a different silk hat every time. In "The Black Robe" for example, the 'Evil Tempress' was a Jesuit Priest luring the leading man to abandon his wife and child for the priesthood. And in this case, the 'Temptress' isn't evil at all; merely a young and vulnerable woman who had the tragic misfortune of falling in love with the wrong man while the rest of that role was given to the conniving Mother In Law. Indeed, the most jarring thing about this book is that it pulled a 'Psycho' around a century before Alfred Hitchcock, with the woman who had been the protagonist effectively disappearing from the story after her role in it was concluded. But at the end of the day though, as I've already suggested, these romantic dramas by Wilkie Collins are always the same old song with different lyrics and a different gimmick. In this case, Wilkie's social commentary on the Victorian morals surrounding of Divorce.
March 23, 2021
I hate this books..
But I rated it 4 stars because it was well written and it invoke a feeling inside me..that feeling is repulsed and hatred, and any story that could make me feel that way is a story well written..
But I hated the characters and how they treated the one woman who have been wronged!
I thought at first I hate Herbert Linley but after reading about when captain bennydeck broke up with Catherine, I think I despised that man more! And to think he said all those kind worda to Sydney who is the adulterer? For God sake!
The lawyer is a blabber mouth, why would he tell Randal, Catherine's address or anything really about Catherine when he is bound by law for confidentiality. He gave Randal her current address to which she wanted to keep secrets! What a lawyer!
All the men in this story are shit and f* up and not single one of them that I like.
Catherine is a stupid woman for wanting to get back to the same man after so many heart ache and pain, and fear of loosing her child, geez, woman have some self respect!
Sydney is probably the worst of all women in this story..she uses her unfortunate situation in life to gain pitty from others..oh, I don't think she deserves a happy ending!
Kitty, ugh that child is unbearable and annoying!
The only character that I truly like and appreciate is Mrs. Priesty for her forward thinking, cunning plan and self respect.
Many a times I feel like throwing the book on the floor and burn it because of how Catherine being so stupid and stilk refused to listen to her mama. Girl, listen to your mama!
What an annoying book, I'm glad it's over!
But I rated it 4 stars because it was well written and it invoke a feeling inside me..that feeling is repulsed and hatred, and any story that could make me feel that way is a story well written..
But I hated the characters and how they treated the one woman who have been wronged!
I thought at first I hate Herbert Linley but after reading about when captain bennydeck broke up with Catherine, I think I despised that man more! And to think he said all those kind worda to Sydney who is the adulterer? For God sake!
The lawyer is a blabber mouth, why would he tell Randal, Catherine's address or anything really about Catherine when he is bound by law for confidentiality. He gave Randal her current address to which she wanted to keep secrets! What a lawyer!
All the men in this story are shit and f* up and not single one of them that I like.
Catherine is a stupid woman for wanting to get back to the same man after so many heart ache and pain, and fear of loosing her child, geez, woman have some self respect!
Sydney is probably the worst of all women in this story..she uses her unfortunate situation in life to gain pitty from others..oh, I don't think she deserves a happy ending!
Kitty, ugh that child is unbearable and annoying!
The only character that I truly like and appreciate is Mrs. Priesty for her forward thinking, cunning plan and self respect.
Many a times I feel like throwing the book on the floor and burn it because of how Catherine being so stupid and stilk refused to listen to her mama. Girl, listen to your mama!
What an annoying book, I'm glad it's over!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2024
There’s a bait and switch that happens early in this novel. The tile suggests a Moriarty-level villain and the first 40 pages of the book sets the reader up for a crazy Collins adventure: A sea captain who smashes his ship onto a reef to collect insurance and then steals the Brazilian diamonds on board, his scheming widow who loses the loot when she trusts a crooked encryption expert to decipher his map, their abandoned daughter treated cruelly and forced to work in a Dickensian school, A brother lost in the wilds of New York after his mother is murdered by her 2nd husband. And yet this intriguing plot is abandoned quickly and the book morphs into a conventional Victorian novel about divorce laws. It’s as if Collins realized mid-stream that his style of sensational novel was no longer in vogue and the more realistic styles of Gissing or Hardy take over. There is some humor in the book (The Evil Genius turns out to be a meddling mother-in-law), but, overall, it is rather pedestrian and not terribly interesting to a modern audience.
November 10, 2023
Wilkie Collins writes a sympathetic story about two women in love with the same man. He is pretty sympathetic to the husband, after he begs for forgiveness. The first part of the story that tells of a trial, and subsequent death of the prisoner, along with the mistreatment of the man’s daughter at the hands of her own other serves to explain the pitifulness of the young woman’s life when she first encounters Mr, Lynley.
He writes about divorce and the stigma attached by society, but also the role the church played in keeping women in their place by that Bible verse…. Catherine’s mother is a terrible harridan, but she was correct in that society gave sympathy to widows but NOT to women who divorced their husbands for adultery. I was a bit confused by the idea that a woman would get a divorce in order to keep custody of her child, and then be able to deny the father visitation.
Oh well….all’s well that ends well.
He writes about divorce and the stigma attached by society, but also the role the church played in keeping women in their place by that Bible verse…. Catherine’s mother is a terrible harridan, but she was correct in that society gave sympathy to widows but NOT to women who divorced their husbands for adultery. I was a bit confused by the idea that a woman would get a divorce in order to keep custody of her child, and then be able to deny the father visitation.
Oh well….all’s well that ends well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
Loved it
This story could have been avoided if Catherine wouldn't have listened to her mother in the first place. But she did and everything went crazy.
I enjoyed reading this story. It was interesting to see someone from such a long time ago say things that people say now like everyone gets a medal. I've heard people say that now. I guess people pretty much don't really change.
The other part of the story, that I'm glad has changed some what, is how people view divorced couples. At least we don't avoid treating them like a disease and not allow our children to play with each other.
The second to last chapter, where Kitty waa fishing, is my favorite chapter.
I hope I didn't give too much away but it was a really great story. I enjoyed it more than some if his other books.
This story could have been avoided if Catherine wouldn't have listened to her mother in the first place. But she did and everything went crazy.
I enjoyed reading this story. It was interesting to see someone from such a long time ago say things that people say now like everyone gets a medal. I've heard people say that now. I guess people pretty much don't really change.
The other part of the story, that I'm glad has changed some what, is how people view divorced couples. At least we don't avoid treating them like a disease and not allow our children to play with each other.
The second to last chapter, where Kitty waa fishing, is my favorite chapter.
I hope I didn't give too much away but it was a really great story. I enjoyed it more than some if his other books.
April 10, 2020
I love The Women in White and The Moonstone so between the title and the blurb, I was expecting this to be about, well, an EVIL GENIUS and their twisted machinations on the family. No. There is no literal evil genius, just a bunch of emotionally repressed people who had the misfortune to live in the 1800s. So that was disappointing. But as a historical family drama it was pretty good, reminded me a lot of the Forsyte Saga. It probably would have been 4 stars if I'd read a physical copy but I listened to the audio book and the narrator was the worst, he did this weird breathy falsetto for every female character and it was so off putting.
April 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. From the characters interaction and occasional witty aside from author, to the end that twists everything right again.
I’ll leave you with a quote that I loved: “In a man morally weak, calamity suffered without resisting power, breaks its way through the surface which exhibits a gentleman, and shows the naked nature which claims kindred with our ancestor, the savage.”
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have!
I’ll leave you with a quote that I loved: “In a man morally weak, calamity suffered without resisting power, breaks its way through the surface which exhibits a gentleman, and shows the naked nature which claims kindred with our ancestor, the savage.”
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have!
January 2, 2025
I’m conflicted on this book. I love Collins and have read many of his novels. The storytelling and writing is excellent (as expected). The subject matter is unusual for him yet I enjoyed reading it. The name makes no sense, I was expecting a character of the likes of Lydia Gwilt from Armadale or Count Fosco from Woman in White. The ending surprised me. I give it a 4-stars because I thoroughly enjoyed it either way.
May 5, 2017
If your idea of great drama is a non-sweeps-week episode of All My Children, have I got a book for you!
Save yourself the trouble, and don’t try to figure out who the evil genius is as you’re reading, because there isn’t one. There’s a weird brother, a prissy, meddlesome mother-in-law (think Darrin’s mom on Bewitched), a retired sea captain who saves wayward women (just women—no wayward men need apply), and an inoffensive lump of an ingénue.
It’s easy to figure out why this novel was the biggest seller of Collins’s books during his lifetime. It’s because of the divorce. (Whisper when you say that word. The neighbors might hear.)
In general, Collins has a very modern attitude towards divorce, and describes the husband, the wife, and the “other woman” in sympathetic terms. There’s a speech from a lawyer at the end, though, that quotes Bible verses and generally reinforces the Victorian worldview. I’ll always wonder if his publisher made him put that in so as not to appear too scandalous.
As if the plot wasn’t ridiculous enough, the male audiobook narrator with the deep voice attempts to do the voices of the women in a high, breathy manner that pulled me out of the story over and over. But he reached ridiculous heights when voicing the little girls with a falsetto that gave me visions of the Monty Python crew in drag.
I’m probably being too harsh, here, but 10 discs of simpering female impersonations drove me over the edge. If you enjoy Victorian novels, this is a serviceable one, with the requisite happy ending.
Save yourself the trouble, and don’t try to figure out who the evil genius is as you’re reading, because there isn’t one. There’s a weird brother, a prissy, meddlesome mother-in-law (think Darrin’s mom on Bewitched), a retired sea captain who saves wayward women (just women—no wayward men need apply), and an inoffensive lump of an ingénue.
It’s easy to figure out why this novel was the biggest seller of Collins’s books during his lifetime. It’s because of the divorce. (Whisper when you say that word. The neighbors might hear.)
In general, Collins has a very modern attitude towards divorce, and describes the husband, the wife, and the “other woman” in sympathetic terms. There’s a speech from a lawyer at the end, though, that quotes Bible verses and generally reinforces the Victorian worldview. I’ll always wonder if his publisher made him put that in so as not to appear too scandalous.
As if the plot wasn’t ridiculous enough, the male audiobook narrator with the deep voice attempts to do the voices of the women in a high, breathy manner that pulled me out of the story over and over. But he reached ridiculous heights when voicing the little girls with a falsetto that gave me visions of the Monty Python crew in drag.
I’m probably being too harsh, here, but 10 discs of simpering female impersonations drove me over the edge. If you enjoy Victorian novels, this is a serviceable one, with the requisite happy ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2023
I was bored and annoyed by characters pretty much all of them. The author brings up a topic probably so rarely discussed at the time it was written - divorce based on infidelity but even this sensitive issue couldn't make this novel interesting because after all the plot was quite predictable. Better reread "Woman in White" which is one of my favorite books.
Read
March 20, 2025When Sydney Westerfield is abandoned as a child by her mother, she is brought up by her abusive aunt. She is then hired by a prominent family to be the governess to their only child, Kitty. Herbert Linley, the man of the house grows fond of Sydney leading her to love him as well. No Spoilers! I highly recommend this novel. This was one of Wilkie Collins best financial work late in his life.
February 23, 2021
I chose this Audible freebie because of my enjoyment of the Moonstone and The Woman in White. This may have been Collins’ best-selling novel in his lifetime, but there are reasons I’d never heard of it before. Not terrible, but there are better ways to spend your time.
October 13, 2024
5 stars until the ending. The diamonds should have made a comeback. I started out Team Syd, until I realized she wasn’t all that. It’s a nail biting convoluted mish mash until the end which is a damp squib.
November 21, 2024
Another engaging story of women's misfortune and the law and societal oppression of the times. Even more special is that the Audible version contains a full cast performance of the play only ever once performed in 1884 before this reading in 2022, with explanation as to why the play was necessary
November 21, 2017
"Get over yourself, Catherine. You can't divorce your husband just because he banged an abused teenager, ruining both her life and yours."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2018
I read to page 189. Realized I was pushing myself to read. Putting it down and moving on to something else.
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