The Moonstone

We

(4 stars)

ListeninginChicago

From Wikipedia: Rachel Verinder, a young Englishwoman, inherits a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday. It is a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt English army officer who served in India. The diamond is of great religious significance as well as being enormously valuable, and three Hindu priests have dedicated their lives to recovering it. The story incorporates elements of the legendary origins of the Hope Diamond (or perhaps the Orloff Diamond). Rachel's eighteenth birthday is celebrated with a large party, whose guests include her cousin Franklin Blake. She wears the Moonstone on her dress that evening for all to see, including some Indian jugglers who have called at the house. Later that night, the diamond is stolen from Rachel's bedroom, and a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill-luck ensues. Told via a series of narratives from some of the main characters, the complex plot traces the subsequent efforts to explain the theft, identify the thief, trace the stone and recover it. My comments: Mike Gardom reads quite a few chapters and does an excellent job. The balance of the chapters are taken by a variety of Librivox readers. Most are done quite well and on balance, this book is well read and easy to listen to. Wilkie Collins tends to be a bit long-winded in his writing, but the many twists and turns keep the plot interesting.

(2.5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Great book, but too many different readers with incompatible styles. Background noise can be heard during some recordings. One reader with an otherwise pleasant voice is not a native English speaker; she mispronounces words often, making it hard to get lost in the narrative. Another reader uses an English accent that comes and goes.

(2.5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

Delightful book; inconsistent narration. One woman has such a thick accent in English, it is incomprehensible to me, another (also with an accent, this one not so thick, but a little distracting for an English novel) sounds as if she is torturing children in the background or is reading outside a playground. There are curdling shrieks behind her. Perhaps they can replace these chapters with comprehensible readers who can speak clearly and pronounce all of the words? Karen Savage, where are you , you perfect narrator? I appreciate this service and everyone’s volunteer efforts, and again, I love this book, but I’ve reached chapters that I cannot understand! Now that I’m addicted it is so sad to abandon it!

(2.5 stars)

A LibriVox Listener

I loved the first half of this book, very engaging and had many twists and turns that when you thought you knew what happened it went a different direction. The second part was so hard to understand the reader. Mispronouncing words I couldn’t follow what was even going on... I understand the readers are volunteers, but this is the second Wilkie Collins book I will not finish because I cannot understand the reader..

can't finish it...

(2.5 stars)

lmjy

I'm enjoying the book so far, just finished the first period, all was well read and understandable... the second period of the book was too difficult to understand due to the strong accent of the reader, it seems she had difficulty pronouncing certain words what can be distracting and makes one loose the flow of the story...

SUPERLATIVE

(5 stars)

Avid Listener

One of the most ingenious plots that I have ever read. Unusually, in this instance, the use of multiple narrators did not detract from the story. Highly recommended!

A Timeless Masterpiece of Mystery and Suspense

(5 stars)

Maya M.

I just finished reading "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins, and I must say, it's a literary treasure that has left me in awe. Written in 1868, this classic novel is a pioneering work in the detective fiction genre, and its influence can still be felt today. The story revolves around the mysterious theft of a valuable diamond, known as the Moonstone, which is stolen from a young woman named Rachel Verinder. As the novel unfolds, a complex web of secrets, lies, and intrigues is revealed, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. What struck me most about "The Moonstone" is its expertly crafted plot, which is full of unexpected twists and turns. Collins' writing is masterful, with vivid descriptions of characters, settings, and events that transport the reader to Victorian England. The characters themselves are multidimensional and relatable, with each one bringing their own unique perspective to the story. One of the most impressive aspects of the novel is its use of multiple narrators, each with their own distinct voice and perspective. This narrative technique adds to the mystery and suspense, as the reader is slowly pieced together the events surrounding the theft of the Moonstone. "The Moonstone" is not only a gripping mystery but also a social commentary on the class system, colonialism, and the role of women in Victorian society. Collins' witty humor and clever observations on human nature add to the novel's charm, making it a delightful read. In conclusion, "The Moonstone" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery, suspense, or classic literature. Its influence on the detective fiction genre is undeniable, and its timeless themes and characters continue to captivate readers to this day. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in this literary masterpiece. You won't regret it!

I enjoyed this book.

(5 stars)

Wintergreen

The readers did a good job, and Mr. Collins did a fabulous job. I was surprised at the end, despite it being somewhat accurate to what I guessed. Sergeant Cuff is my favourite character, closely followed by Gooseberry. S. Cuff is serious, down to earth, hardworking, intelligent, respectful, and respectable. I was sad when he left the story, but when he came back, I was surprised and overjoyed. His detective work was great. He was right when he said no man could've figured out the truth with what he had had, unless they were some magician or could read minds. Also, S. Cuff does an amazing job wrapping it up the case. Well-written, well-read, over all 11/10. Robinson Crusoe being Betteredges Bible, though. Hilarious! (There are a few reviews with complaints to the readers; while I may agree the lady reading had a heavy accent, I did not find her hard to understand. I enjoyed her accent a lot. I think the more experience one gets listening to accented readers, the easier overall it is to understand them.)