The Woman in White 3: Second Epoch VII - The Third Epoch

A place to discuss the second part of the Second Epoch.

I'm glad we got to hear from Uncle Frederick first person. What a great character! The suspense is really building, I'm loving the way the story is evolving.

It is not often that a novel of this length can maintain suspense without giving way to a bit of boredom and a feeling of "let's get on with it already". Collins does this very well in this story. Loving it!

Wow, what a great book. On finishing this Epoch I could almost hear the organ music in the background and feel the fog rising up among the tombstones in the cemetery. Just wish I could stay up all night and read, but I have a busy day planned tomorrow.

Yes, teelgee, Uncle Fred is quite the Drama Queen, isn't he? I love how he even railed against the English language. He is an all around jerk, but his pomposity is so exaggerated that he is indeed a great character.

The uncle reminds me of a cross between a Jane Austen character (maybe Emma's father?) and someone in a Dickens novel. I can't think of a modern-day counterpart, although I'm sure they exist.

I loved the suspense of the Second Epoch. And what a great ending to it! Can't wait to finish the book.
--BJ

The pacing of this book is terrific. It's midnight and I need to go to sleep, but how can I put the book down after the close of the second epoch? Uncle Fred was a hoot and Count Fosco is a character for the ages. Well, to sleep, or on to the third epoch?

Aw, go on and read some more! You can sleep tomorrow.

Ugh! I did read on, but still had to get up early! Oh well, it was worth it!

I echo all the previous comments. Whereas the habit of describing every event in circumlocutions can be a bit difficult (get to the crux!) it is also essential in creating the dark folly that has invaded Blackwater Park. I adore Fosco's Machiavellian nature - so artful and scheming! - and Uncle Frederick's antics.
The different voices at the end I sometimes found difficult to follow - a little too artificial perhaps? but I suppose necessary in getting all the information. Certainly it shows the complexity of the devilish plans. I can't wait for the third epoch - who is the Woman in White?? The suspense is killing me!

I'm listening to the audiobook via librivox.org. I have never been so impatient with an audiobook before because I am just dying to find out what happens next. A lesson in patience for me, I suppose.

It's very well done for a librivox book (sometimes they are hit or miss). The narrator for Mr. Fairlie did a perfect job capturing his personality!

Off to find another chore to do so I can listen to more....