
Author
Wilkie Collins
Language
English
Genre
audiobook
by Wilkie Collins
recording of The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins. The story concerns a young woman called Rachel Verinder who inherits a large Indian diamond, the Moonstone, on her eighteenth birthday. The book is widely regarded as the precursor of the modern mystery and suspense novels.
T. S. Eliot called it 'the first, the longest, and the best of modern English detective novels'.
It contains a number of ideas which became common tropes of the genre: a large number of suspects, red herrings, a crime being investigated by talented amateurs who happen to be present when it is committed, and two police officers who exemplify respectively the 'local bungler' and the skilled, professional, Scotland Yard detective. For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the catalog page for this recording. Read by volunteers.
org.
Sign in to rate and write a review
I've been listening during my evening walks and The Moonstone has been the highlight of my week honestly. There's a section in the middle where it all just comes together — gave me chills.
What I appreciate most is that Wilkie Collins doesn't talk down to you. The ideas are complex but explained in a way that respects your intelligence. Really rare.
Listened to this over a long weekend trip. By the time I got home I'd already recommended it to three people. The Moonstone is just one of those books that sticks.
The narration quality on this is impressive. Clear, well-paced, and the tone matches the content perfectly. Makes a big difference when you're listening for hours.