Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Secret marriage and social class intrigue in a Victorian mystery of passion, betrayal, and the unreadable MannionBy Wilkie Collins
Length14h 21m
About this audiobook
Basil: A Story of Modern Life is Wilkie Collins's early and daring exploration of desire, class transgression, secrecy, and psychological ruin. Framed as a confessional narrative, the novel follows Basil, a young gentleman whose impulsive marriage to the socially inferior Margaret Sherwin entangles him in betrayal, violence, and moral disillusionment. Its melodramatic intensity, gothic atmosphere, and fascination with hidden motives anticipate the sensation fiction Collins would later perfect, while its frank treatment of sexuality and social hypocrisy unsettled Victorian expectations. Collins, a close friend and collaborator of Charles Dickens, was trained in law and possessed an acute interest in evidence, testimony, and the instability of appearances. Published in 1852, Basil reflects his developing concern with the limits of respectability and the dangers concealed beneath ordinary domestic life. His unconventional temperament and sympathy for outsiders helped shape a fiction alert to social constraint and psychological complexity. Readers interested in Victorian fiction beyond polite realism will find Basil richly rewarding. It is a bold, atmospheric, and morally searching novel, essential for understanding Collins's evolution toward The Woman in White and The Moonstone.
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
GenreLiterary Classics, Mystery and Thriller
Length14 hrs 21 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 21, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 1)
7Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 2)
8Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 3)
9Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 4)
10Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 5)
11Basil: A Story of Modern Life (Unabridged) (pt. 6)
12Analysis
13Reflection
14Memorable Quotes
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