The Law and the Lady (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Very Readable Classic Amateur Detective Fiction
Review: As a general rule I rarely enjoy the novels assigned in classical literature classes but I can usually appreciate the work for its merits. I was pleasantly surprised by The Law and the Lady because it is very readable, the first hurdle in making an assigned piece of literature more than just required text.

Though it is tame by today's standards, Collins presents the relatively new concept of the "amateur detective" and even goes so far as to make his protagonist a woman, very unusual (and almost scandalous) by Victorian standards. To make the novel acceptable in the time it was published, Collins is very careful to temper his progressive ideas with plenty of references to Valeria Macallan's feminine weaknesses and multiple uses of the phrase "only a woman" but he constructed a foundation that scores of female writers and characters have built upon. Keep your eye out for parallels to the classic "Oedipus Rex" story and how Collins treats the gender role-reversal of Valeria and Eustace.

All in all, not an unpleasant book to read if required to do so. Experienced readers will recognize that, despite its faults, The Law and the Lady was very provocative when written and really jump-started the genre of female P.I.s that is so common and popular today. Valeria could be considered the great-grandmother of Kinsey Millhone or V.I. Warshawski.

Rating:
Summary: Very Readable Classic Amateur Detective Fiction
Review: As a general rule I rarely enjoy the novels assigned in classical literature classes but I can usually appreciate the work for its merits. I was pleasantly surprised by The Law and the Lady because it is very readable, the first hurdle in making an assigned piece of literature more than just required text.

Though it is tame by today's standards, Collins presents the relatively new concept of the "amateur detective" and even goes so far as to make his protagonist a woman, very unusual (and almost scandalous) by Victorian standards. To make the novel acceptable in the time it was published, Collins is very careful to temper his progressive ideas with plenty of references to Valeria Macallan's feminine weaknesses and multiple uses of the phrase "only a woman" but he constructed a foundation that scores of female writers and characters have built upon. Keep your eye out for parallels to the classic "Oedipus Rex" story and how Collins treats the gender role-reversal of Valeria and Eustace.

All in all, not an unpleasant book to read if required to do so. Experienced readers will recognize that, despite its faults, The Law and the Lady was very provocative when written and really jump-started the genre of female P.I.s that is so common and popular today. Valeria could be considered the great-grandmother of Kinsey Millhone or V.I. Warshawski.

Rating:
Summary: This Book Should Be Outlawed
Review: I truly feel sorry for anyone who is required to read this book. It is by far one of the worst pieces of literature I have ever read, and I read a lot of books.
I found there was no suspense to the writing, since from the beginning, the reader was able to suspect what the outcome was going to be, and was proven right by the time you read the last paragraph. I personally found the book boring to read, because I guessed what the outcome was going to be, and every chapter confirmed my suspicions. I found the plot development to be very poor, with stereotypes imbedded in several characters, especially the main character.
I don't wish to give away the ending of the book completely, but I will say this much-- when you base your whole plot on a madman, is there any plot at all? The author uses his "villian" as a crutch, using the character's lunacy as an escape route for any unbound plot threads.
I personally recommend you don't waste your time on this book, if you're looking for a some good classics, try "Jane Eyre" or "David Copperfield".

Rating:
Summary: This Book Should Be Outlawed
Review: I truly feel sorry for anyone who is required to read this book. It is by far one of the worst pieces of literature I have ever read, and I read a lot of books.
I found there was no suspense to the writing, since from the beginning, the reader was able to suspect what the outcome was going to be, and was proven right by the time you read the last paragraph. I personally found the book boring to read, because I guessed what the outcome was going to be, and every chapter confirmed my suspicions. I found the plot development to be very poor, with stereotypes imbedded in several characters, especially the main character.
I don't wish to give away the ending of the book completely, but I will say this much-- when you base your whole plot on a madman, is there any plot at all? The author uses his "villian" as a crutch, using the character's lunacy as an escape route for any unbound plot threads.
I personally recommend you don't waste your time on this book, if you're looking for a some good classics, try "Jane Eyre" or "David Copperfield".

Rating:
Summary: Engaging Story of Lady Detective Challenging Victorian World
Review: Many fans and critics agree that Wilkie Collins' writing talent declined after the gripping "The Moonstone," and his works in the 1870s and 80s are sometimes dismissed as misfires of once-genius mystery writer. Though part of the low estimation is reasonable (and some of the works in this era testifies to this opinion), many of them are still readable and interesting. And "The Law and the Lady" should be classified among those neglected pieces.

Probably the first full-length novel featuring female detective, the novel follows the story of heroine Valeria, who marries Eustace happily in the opening of the book. However, she discovers behind the happy marriage a terrible secret, which involved an unsolved murder case in her newly-wed husband's past, and soon she realizes that her husband is not exactly what she thought. To clear her tainted (and his) family name, Valeria single-handedly embarks on a job of amateur detective.

To fully relish the story, you have to remember several things: one of them is that the book is partly inspired by the real-life case of Madeline Smith, who, it was alleged, disposed of her lover with arsenic. Collins made use of this well-known, sensational case, changing the sex of the accused, and he deftly challenges many concepts embedded in morally strict Victorians. So, when Valeria appoints herself as a detective, her "job" (in Victorian society in which ladies are supposed not to work, with the possible exception of poorly-paid governess) starts to have another meaning. Collins, on the one hand attacking the insufficient laws of Scotland, which give its unique "Not-Proven" verdict to the accused when the jury cannot decide whether or not he/she is guilty, also challenges the morally rigid Victorian ideas about male/female concept. This is not to say Wilkie Collins is a feminist; but considering he never married (but, it is generally agreed, had two mistresses), his unique ideas about contemporary males and females are reflected in this seemingly starange work.

And as a detective novel, "The Law and The lady" has still power to entertain us. Though its beginning part is a little shaky because of implausible situations, the book gradually gets you into the thrilling adventure of Valeria, who overcomes all the barriars on her way to the truth. Though the fact that Collins' best work(s) is "The Moonstone" or "The Woman in White," this book is enjoyable. shows some version of Victorian ideas about the roles of males and females.

By the way, it is argued that the first fictional female detective (including amateur) is also created by Collins in his short story "The Diary of Anne Rodway." (1856) This short can be found in most of the collection of his short stories. But if you know another contender for the first female PI, let me know.

Rating:
Summary: A Gripping Quest!
Review: No, it's not "The Woman in White" or even "The Moonstone", but it's still an excellent story! Collins has created another wonderful strong heroine, and this heroine is out to solve a mystery. Valeria Woodville's husband was tried for murder, and she is determined to prove his innocence, once and for all. During her investigation, she meets Miserrimus Dexter, who is perhaps the most fascinating character Collins has ever created. He certainly makes Count Fosco of "The Woman in White" look like a pussycat! He's the most enigmatic character -- just when you think you have him figured out, you realize you don't know anything about him! Ariel is another fascinating character study. She is worthy of pity, but pitying her is like pitying a pit bull; she turns violent at the drop of a hairbrush. Valeria herself is an interesting subject; she defies everyone, determined to prove her husband's innocence, but towards the end of the novel, she begins to behave a bit erratically. I won't say any more; you'll have to read the book to see what I mean. This is a great novel to curl up with on a rainy night, or maybe on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon -- sometime when you won't be likely to be interrupted, as you won't want to put it down until Valeria Woodville solves the mystery!

Rating:
Summary: Three and a half stars
Review: Wilkie Collins is most famous for his classic mysteries, "The Moonstone" and "The Woman in White." Both were influences to 20th century mystery masters like Dorothy Sayers. In "The Law and the Lady" first published in 1875, Collins focuses on the plight of Valeria Woodville who unwittingly marries a man previously tried for poisoning his first wife. Evidence and testimony could not convince the jury of his guilt or innocence, and an unusual Scotch verdict of "Not Proven" is handed down. He assumes a new name and conceals his tainted past when he marries Valeria. She, however, proves to be a very perceptive and resourceful woman who discovers the truth on her own. Unshaken in her love, she vows to clear her husband's name and reputation in order to secure their future happiness.

*** In his signature works, Collins often frustrates the reader's patience with his lengthy narrative style. But "The Law and the Lady" moves along surprisingly well. Despite some ridiculous and dated perceptions about the sexes (Collins frequently has characters and Valeria herself remark that she's "only a woman"), Valeria's actions prove she's admirably keen and the one to get things rolling.

*** Collins should also get points for introducing the outrageously campy, scene-stealing characters of the lunatic genius Misserimus Dexter and his devoted, but moronic cousin Ariel. Missing both his legs, Dexter scoots around either like the "new centaur" (half-man, half wheel chair) or on his hands like a "frog". It's this added element of circus freakshow that effectively ruffles the otherwise creaky Victorian setting.