«... what is the hardness of stone? Nothing, compared to the hardness of the unregenerate human heart!» (from Second Period: The Discovery of the Truth (1848-49), Second Narrative Contributed by Miss Clack..., Chapter II) ~ #Finished: The Moonstone by #WilkieCollins Rating: 10/10 ~ First of all, I can say that this is the most exciting novel I have ever read. Suspense in this novel has no equivalent in anything I have read before. Let's go into the story a little. ~ *possible spoilers* (1) The Moonstone, a diamond associated to an idol of an Indian lunar deity, is brought to England by Colonel Herncastle after a plundering during the siege of Seringapatam. The stone brings three Hindu priests, who are part of a tradition having protected the stone for generations, with itself. Herncastle, in his will leaves the stone to his niece Rachel Verinder, for her birthday. By the morning after the birthday, the diamond has gone missing, and then the hell breaks loose. After this outset, I can't tell the most of what has happened, as it will TOTALLY ruin the novel for those who haven't read. Twists and turns, surprises and mystery are what makes this novel a great one. Besides, almost more than the plot devices, the characters' narratives and points of views carry more importance in the novel in my opinion, as they direct the plot. The novel is structrued upon Fraklin Blake's collection of witness statements, including his own; diary entries; and letters. This polyphonic narration, of course, presents heteroglossia, turning the reading experience into a labyrinth in which various narrative voices guide the reader for the exit. ~ «... If you do that, and if there are such things as ghosts, I believe my ghost will hear it, and tremble with the pleasure of it.» (Second Period: The Discovery of the Truth (1848-49), Third Narrative Contributed by Franklin Blake, Chapter V) ~ #TheMoonstone #Moonstone #GabrielBetteredge #FranklinBlake #RachelVerinder #SergeantCuff #GodfreyAblewhite #EzraJennings #detectivenovel #sensationnovel #victoriannovel #book #books #bookstagram #literature #englishnovel #novel #bibliophile #reading #read #instabook #bookworm #classics https://www.instagram.com/p/B3tgaS0AMnE/?igshid=1agateelirrfb
