Basil Audiobook By Wilkie Collins cover art

Basil

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Basil

By: Wilkie Collins
Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton
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About this listen

Appearing in 1852, Basil was Wilkie Collins’s second published novel. The eponymous narrator is emotionally torn between two women: Margaret Sherwin and his sister Clara. His marriage to Margaret, a draper’s sexually precocious daughter, is to remain secret and unconsummated for the first year, as agreed with her father.

Anticipating Collins’s later sensation novels, the plot involves betrayal, insanity and death, with a thrilling conclusion set among the cliffs and whirlpools near Land’s End. The book was received with shock upon its publication, most especially due to its treatment of adultery.

Here Basil is read by the prolific and popular narrator Nicholas Boulton.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Public Domain (P)2022 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.
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Another wonderful narration by Nicholas Boulton

Wilkie Collins, Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens and Mary Elizabeth Gaskell are some of my favorite authors. Mr. Boulton's narration suits the tone of this novel.

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Yet another amazing story from Collins

Lesser known yet no lesser in story and beauty. Collins can’t write a bad story

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A Very Victorian Tale

As a fan of Wilkie Collins, I was excited to come across this lesser-known work. I don’t think it stands up to his major novels. Even so I am glad to have read it.

It is highly melodramatic and theatrical. Nothing is subtle. The main character behaves in a manner that is sometimes cringe worthy, and often rather stupid. It reminds me of those horror movies when you want to scream at the screen “ don’t do it!” right before the victim steps into an obvious trap.
Still, I found enjoyment in the portrayal of several minor characters and the author’s captivating description of the English countryside.

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