Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Victorian Sensation Tale of Secret Marriage, Forbidden Desire, and Psychological SuspenseBy Wilkie Collins
Length14h 36m
About this audiobook
Basil: A Story of Modern Life (1852) is one of Wilkie Collins's early explorations of secrecy, transgression, and psychological extremity in Victorian society. Framed as a confessional narrative, the novel follows Basil, a young gentleman whose impulsive passion for Margaret Sherwin, the daughter of a linen-draper, leads to a clandestine marriage and a devastating betrayal. Its melodramatic intensity, urban atmosphere, and fascination with class boundaries anticipate the sensation fiction for which Collins would become famous, while its moral unease places it firmly within mid-nineteenth-century debates about respectability and desire. Collins, born in 1824, was trained in law but drawn to literature, theatre, and the unconventional social worlds that later nourished his fiction. The son of the painter William Collins, he possessed both artistic discipline and a sharp eye for appearances. His interest in legal constraints, hidden motives, and social hypocrisy is already evident in Basil, written before The Woman in White and The Moonstone secured his reputation. This novel is recommended to readers interested in the origins of sensation fiction, Victorian psychology, and narratives of forbidden desire. Though less polished than Collins's masterpieces, it is gripping, revealing, and essential for understanding his development.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (3.2K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, StoryGraph, Amazon
GenreLiterary Classics, Mystery and Thriller
Length14 hrs 36 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 21, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
9Part II
2Introduction
10Part III (pt. 1)
3Synopsis
11Part III (pt. 2)
4Historical Context
12Part III (pt. 3)
5Author Biography
13Letters in Conclusion
Show all chaptersShow less
6Letter of Dedication to Charles James Ward, Esq.
14Analysis
7Part I (pt. 1)
15Reflection
8Part I (pt. 2)
16Memorable Quotes
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