I love this book, I have read it so many times. It is a really gripping, old fashioned mystery and suspense story that grabs your attention and holds it right to the end of the book. There are many surprises, and twists and turns to keep you guessing, and it is so well written.

The main character, Walter Hartright, meets a confused and upset woman (dressed in white) on a lonely road and being immediately concerned for her welfare, he is determined to discover more about her and her story. He meets some delightfully nasty characters along the way, especially the sinister Count Fosco and his wife, and discovers a shockingly evil plot against the anonymous woman – all cleverly worked out and guaranteed to build up your tension and suspense.

This is one of those great books which is difficult to put down – you always think “I’ll read just one more chapter” and then find yourself still reading it after another hour! I have only ever read 2 books by this author (this one and ‘The Moonstone’ – which is in a similar thriller style and that I also enjoyed immensely), but I would love to read more. Does anyone know of any other books that this author has written?

Anyway, you must read this book – I guarantee you’ll be drawn in!

Comment 29th May 2011:

I have read this book many times but have just recently read it again. What really interested me is that in the meantime I have read The Mysteries of Udolpho which is said to be the first real Gothic mystery novel and to have influenced the creation of many other books such as The Woman in White. I can definitely see that influence now particularly with the fairly slow start to The Woman in White and some of the irrelevant extra detail just as in The Mysteries of Udolpho, and I can also see a great deal of Signor Montoni’s character in The Mysteries of Uldopho in the sinister foreign Count Fosco. It was interesting to re-read The Woman In White having now had experience of reading The Mysteries of Udolpho.

Reading The Woman in White now I’m that bit older (!), I felt a great deal of pity for women of that time with how submissive they had to be and how few rights and power they had; in this regard it reminded me of a Thomas Hardy novel as I felt the same low spirits and pity when reading these sections, eg. Laura’s proposed marriage that she has no real say over and even though her sister is apprehensive as to her husband’s character they have no power to stop it and are not listened to or their opinions considered, and then later when Laura is married and she has to submit completely to her husband and, like other women of the time, is viewed more as a useful object to fulfil certain duties rather than an equal human being.

Reaching the action and tension sections of the novel I was filled again with admiration of the writing and how the author so perfectly builds the tension and tricks the reader into thinking certain things.

I am also filled with admiration at what a fantastic idea for a plot this is; two similar- looking women on different paths in life whose destinies become connected and intertwined, and the sinister and unscrupulous plan by Count Fosco (surely one of the best villains ever) to take advantage of this. It also occurred to me how easy it was for Count Fosco’s plan to be successful in that time – in present time with all the advances in DNA, etc (as well as women’s rights), it never would have been possible.

Having mentioned this in a previous review of a different book, I realise I prefer novels written in the first person and I find again that I love this style in this book, and particularly that it is written in a journal style with entries from several different characters therefore giving different points of view and thought.

Every time I read this book I am impressed afresh with what an incredible piece of work it is.