The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

It's admirable that a mystery novel written in the 1800s, the first of its kind, can hold a reader's interest and curiosity in the 21st century. I say this simply because our lives (in books, television, movies and real life events) are inundated with mysteries, crime, deceit, dishonesty, traitors and treachery. Between watching the news and my favorite crime TV shows and suspenseful movies, I can't believe that I would be surprised by anything written so long ago! I was surprised by Percival's SECRET though, and the importance of his secret definitely made sense in the 1800's and much later in history. These days people would kill to keep a secret that mattered that much, but in this book is was more about deceit.

I really loved how this story was told by different narrators. It moved the story along and it introduced us to several different characters that we normally wouldn't know that well in a story like this. Some of the "minor" characters, like Pesca, ended up advancing the story significantly, but I had forgotten about him until he was re-introduced to the story at the end of the book. Having the background of his relationship with Walter made his contribution to the endgame authentic.

My favorite character was Marian Halcombe of course. I loved everything about her: her intelligence, her bravery, her loyalty, her persistence. In some respects, it's too bad that Walter was taken by Laura's beauty (and her gentleness and kindness) because I think that Marian would have made a good match with an intelligent, brave, loyal and persistent gentleman such as Walter. ;) Walter was good for Laura though, and she certainly needed him. I am happy that Marian seemed happy from beginning to end just being with Laura, and eventually Walter.

The most difficult thing about reading a book like this is how women were treated back then. Women as property is a hard thing to accept. I love how there were men like Mr. Gilmore who protested Laura not being treated fairly when the marriage agreement was drawn up. He tried to look after Laura's best interests. Unfortunately he failed in his attempts, but at least he tried! I was happy that he returned to their lives a year later. I think it's incredibly interesting how different we treat illnesses now from back then. People would "take leave" from their lives, their jobs, their families for weeks, months or years when they were ill. I know they had some serious illnesses back then (for which we are immunized against), but we have some pretty serious illnesses now too. I can't imagine going away for a year to rest and recuperate from an illness!

It's difficult for me to determine who I disliked the most in this novel. I thought Mr. Fairlie was over-the-top ridiculous, selfish and annoying; Sir Percival was hot-tempered, weak and desperate; Mrs. Catherick was hardened, non-sympathetic and cynical; Count Fosco was a genius at manipulation. Fortunately, they nearly all received their just rewards in the end. That is certainly good enough for me! All's well that ends well.

Wendy's Rating: ****

Flight Patterns by Karen White

This must be the third or fourth book I have read to date that involves bees!  Certainly, their life cycle, their survival instinct, their relationships within the hive make for good themes when telling a complicated family history. The queen bee will usually only sting a rival queen bee, much like Anna Bloodworth, who "stung" when her position as Birdie's mother felt threatened. The hive survives on the strength of the females. There were many strong females in this book: Anna, Birdie, Maisy, Caroline, Becky, Marlene and Georgia. I think most of these women were living in pure "survival mode" however, which takes strength, but is not an emotionally easy way to live! I was so happy that Maisy and Georgia were able to separate themselves from their mother, Birdie, in a healthier way - much like how older queen bees leave the hive with their followers to establish their own hives. I really love the symbolism in this book! 

I did not agree at all with Anna's decision regarding Giles Mouton! Why?? Giles had already proven how much he loved his daughter by giving her to another family to save her. He had survived a prison camp - survived the war. He traveled all that way to find his daughter like he promised her he would. He was dying already. Again, WHY? Why couldn't Anna have taken him in, re-introduced him to his daughter and let him see that she was okay. I know she didn't want Birdie taken from them, but considering all the facts, they could have all been a "family". It is just so incredibly sad that she felt like she had to resort to such desperate measures. Her actions had a profound affect on her husband and Birdie for the rest of their lives. If Anna had welcomed Giles, believing that he would be a positive influence in Birdie's life, then the domino effect of emotionally-stunted women in the family would probably have never happened. Birdie would have been a better mother, which would have produced a feeling of security in her daughter's lives. It is just so tragic how one fatal decision can affect so many.

I wish we knew what Becky was thinking when she found out that Georgia was her mother. That's a pretty significant thing to find out! She seemed to take it all in stride, which is hard for me to believe. I know she loved Maisy & Georgia a lot, but still. Even if she suspected she was Georgia's daughter (based on looks, habits, etc) before seeing the proof, wouldn't she want to know WHY? (There's that question again!)

Even though I didn't agree with some of the decisions made in this book, I still really liked the book! Family dynamics and family history and family secrets are always so interesting - and Karen White has an engaging writing style that I really enjoy.

Wendy's Rating: ****