Armadale (Mystery Classic) (ePub)

Wilkie Collins' 'Armadale' intertwines a richly complex narrative with an exploration of identity, inheritance, and destiny. The literary style employed is quintessentially Victorian, embracing intricate plotting and melodrama which was characteristic of mid-19th-century English literature. Collins innovatively uses multiple narrative perspectives and devices, such as letters and diaries, to unravel the suspenseful tale of two cousins, both named Allan Armadale, enmeshed in a dark family history marred by patricide. The motif of the 'double', as well as the social critique embedded in the story, resembles themes prevalent in Collins' other acclaimed works and situates 'Armadale' firmly within the period's literary context of sensation novels.

Wilkie Collins, a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens, was a master of the mystery genre and a pioneer of detective fiction. His personal life, reflecting an unconventional lifestyle and a complicated romantic life, often provided fertile ground for his literary imagination. The act of writing 'Armadale' may well have been influenced by Collins' own preoccupation with the intricacies of social relations and the hidden recesses of criminal psychology. His narrative technique was progressive, subverting Victorian norms, challenging the readers' expectations, and paving the way for the modern psychological thriller.

For aficionados of classic literature and fans of Gothic melange, 'Armadale' is a compelling recommendation. Scholars and casual readers alike are drawn to Collins' labyrinthine storytelling that grips the imagination and offers a profound understanding of Victorian society and its preoccupations. The novel is not just a mystery to be unraveled but also an essential literary artifact that reflects the dynamic cross-section of art, psychology, and culture in the 19th century.