HISTORY OF
THE MYSTERY 1860
Wilkie Collins wrote "The Woman in
White" (1860) and it is considered not only the first but one of the best
sensational mystery novels ever written. It was hugely popular. Partly, because
in the 1860's more people could read than at any other time in history. Plus
the average person had more leisure time to read for entertainment. [Remember
there were no TV's, I-pods or computers.] Prior to this only the rich upper
classes were educated and reading was for the enlightenment of one's mind.
Collins
states in his introduction to the novel: 'the story here presented will be told
by more than one pen, as the story of an offence against the laws is told in
Court by more than one witness'.
YOUR INVESTIGATION: What was the name of Collin's detective in "The Woman
in White"?
ANSWER: Walter Hartright
1 comment:
That is really fascinating. I never thought about the combination of people being able to read, and people having time to do it. There are so many books today, I just take reading for granted. Can you imagine, being on that frontier, where books were starting to take off?
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