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• PREFACE TO THIS ONLINE EDITION BY THE WEBMASTER ~
  This page introduces 'The Woman In White Online Book', by Wilkie Collins. Setting it in its historical context the preface provides the essential introduction of the work for contemporary readers. The page also points to other features of 'The Woman In White, (Book) subdirectory at www.thewomaninwhite.info.
  
  
• THE STORY BEGUN BY WALTER HARTRIGHT
  This part of the book introduces most of the characters of The Woman In White story, particularly the heroes, and victims. The exception to this is the decription of Frederick Fairlie, whom one realises is not so much evil as totally self centred. This section also introduces us to Ann Catherick, 'The Woman In White', who has escaped from a private asylum and is to feature in the story of Laura Fairlie, Marion Halcombe, and Walter Hartright.
  
  
• THE STORY CONTINUED BY VINCENT GILMORE
  In this chapter of The Woman In White Mr.Vincent Gilmore the Fairlie Family Solicitor attempts to secure an adequate settlement for Laura Fairlie after she will be married to Sir Percival Glyde. He is thwarted in this by Glyde, and his lawyer Mr. Merriman. We learn nothing more of the mystery of Anne Catherick although the reply to Mr. Gilmore's letter to her mother Jane Anne Catherick is a little too abrupt to be convincing!
  
  
• MARIAN HALCOMBE'S DIARY PART 1.
  Through Marian Halcombe's journal we get to know more of the characters of Laura Fairlie, her uncle Frederick, the evil Sir Percival Glyde, and of course Marion Halcombe herself. Wilkie Collins excells himself as a writer in his portrayal of Victorian womens' sensibility via the pen of Miss Halcombe.
  
  
• MARIAN HALCOMBE'S DIARY PART 2.
  Here the story of 'The Woman In White' gains pace. Clearly there's evil work being done, and Marian Halcombe proves to be an able investigator. Anne Catherick returns into the scene, and Laura Fairlie, (now Lady Glyde), has learned that the aristocracy isn't all it's cracked up to be! In this section of the book we meet Count Fosco, eccentrick, intelligent, a scholar and a scientist, he is a magnetic personality. But is he good, or evil?
  
  
• FREDERICK FAIRLIE's NARATIVE ~
  This chapter is really a further account of Frederick Fairlie's selfishness, which he performs to the farthest degree of stupidity. Both taken in by, and bored beyond reason by Cound Fosco, Fairlie becomes putty in the Count's evil plans.
  
  
• THE HOUSEKEEPER'S ACCOUNT
  Marian Halcombe incapacitated by typhus can no longer protect Laura from Sir percival Glyde, and Count Fosco's cunning. Mrs Michelson the housekeeper is diverted from the scene and the mysterious Mrs. Rubelle introduced as Miss Halcombe's nurse. In later chapters Mrs Rubelle is shown to be one of Count Fosco's Italian agents, but it is the Count's skill through much of the story to remain above suspicion, at least as far as actors such as Mrs Micelson are concerned. Once again Wilkie Collins excells by now writing not simply in a woman's hand, but also through the character of someone of a different, more pragmatic if less educated , class than that of Marian Halcombe.
  
  
• THE STORY CONTINUED IN SEVERAL NARATIVES ~
  This section of the book is very short. First it provides evidence that Lady Glyde, (laura Fairlie), has died of natural causes, and then promptly reveals her to be very much alive. Walter Hartright is united once more with the two half-sisters and we are left eager for more, as surely good must overcome in this Victorian masterpiece.
  
  
• WALTER HARTRIGHT RETURNS~
  From this point onwards the story points toward the restoration of our heroes' fortune. But it won't be easy. Laura Fairlie was falsely imprisoned in the asylum. This was possible due to her striking resemblence to Anne Catherick. Poor Anne Catherick, (The Woman In White), on the other hand has also failed in her mission to protect Laura Fairlie, and is now dead from natural causes. So Hartright, Marian Halcombe and Laura Fairlie are now living as siblings in lodgings in London where they begin to investigate the mystery of 'The Woman In White'.
  
  
• MRS CATERICK'S LETTER ~
  At last we understand the secret that cost 'The Woman In White' her freedom. Sir Percival Glyde is revealled to be not the true heir to the Baronacy at all. He is a forger, as well as a thief. This of course in a time when forgery was an offence that could lead to the death penalty. Mrs Jane Anne Catherick is shown to be a vain woman who Sir Percival has used in order to obtain the title. As his accomplice in the forgery she has spent much of her life in fear of him, for the secret that he feared also could have led to her imprisonment.
  
  
• THE STORY CONTINUED BY WALTER HARTRIGHT ~
  With Sir Percival Glyde dead the obstacle to Walter and Laura marrying is no more. Marian pledges herself to Walter 'as his sister' and it is clear that our trio, if not a manage a trois is something quite bohemian! Professor Pesca returns into the story and twith his help Walter Hartright learns that Count Fosco is a traitor to a Mafia like organization. Hartright uses this lever to extract a full confession from Fosco.
  
  
• COUNT FOSCO'S CONFESSION ~
  In this chapter Count Fosco writes his account of the plot against Laura Fairlie, (Lady Glyde), including his part in the substitution of the identities of Anne Catherick and Lady Glyde, (Laura Fairlie). Using the instrument of the confession Wilkie Collins is able to demonstrate that even the most evil of genious may also have a good side to their nature. In other words he holds that people are neither completely evil, nor good.
  
  
• THE STORY CONCLUDED BY WALTER HARTRIGHT ~
  Some people find this part of the story an anti-climax. The end, they claim is predictable and sentimental. T which we must say, 'balderdash!' This is a Victorian novel penned in 1860, of course good will prevail. Count Fosco is aprehended in France by the Mafia Society to which he is branded a traitor, and assasinated. Oh yes, and the conclusion is that on Frederick Fairlie's death the son of Walter Hartright and Laura Fairlie, (now Laura Hartright) inherrits Limmeridge House, and the bulk of the family fortune.
  
  
• Full Story Synopsis And More . .
  The Woman In White full plot summary provides an alternative to reading the full work! You shouldn't read this if you intend to read the book, for all the ftwists and turns of the Book are revealled, but with none of the suspense, nor the eloquence.
  
  
• Criticism by Stephen Bray
  Collins The Woman In White Criticism, contains a full literary criticism plus links to the plot summary, and an analysis of all the major characters.
  
  
• Buy a printed edition?
  No matter where you live you're as close to receiving The Woman In White Bookas your nearest Amazon store. This page will help you to find your local store, and lists the Woman In White books that are in stock.
  
  
• The PDF eBooks and other Resources ~
  The Woman In White eBook is an amazong way to experience this classic Victorian mystery thriller. The eBook is artfully typeset to reflect the personalities of the characters. It also comes bundled with a second PDF that has numbered paragraphs for easy reference for tutorial, stage, or academic discussion.
  
  
• The Films And TV Adaptations ~
  'The Woman In White Film' won several awards. The Woman In White TV adaptations have also been acclaimed. This page lists all of them and ,where possible provides photographs of the actresses playing Ann Catherick and Laura Fairlie, the title role.
  
  
• The Musical ~
  The Woman In White Musical by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber (composer), and David Zippel (Lyricist). Writing Credits: Wilkie Collins (Plot), and Charlotte Jones (adaptation) has proved a sensation. Read what the critics are saying here:
  
  
• Please link to this website:
  Please link to this website: Link2Us, provides help for those wishing to link to thewomaninwhite.info and provides a link to a zip file where it is possible to download two small banner gifs, plus the code needed to load them onto your website.
  
  
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