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The Moonstne Autor: Wilkie Collins Verlag: Longman Englisch 5.00 CHF ISBN: 978-0582427216 |
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Auch Teil des Konvoluts «5 Bücher aus Romane» |
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This book describes **"The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins**, published by **Longman**, with ISBN **978-0582427216**. Here's a description of the book, particularly focusing on what a Longman edition with this ISBN might entail: --- **Title:** The Moonstone **Author:** Wilkie Collins **Publisher:** Longman (Pearson Education) **ISBN:** 978-0582427216 **Description:** "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins is widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential detective novels in English literature. First published in 1868, it set many of the conventions that would define the genre for decades to come. **Plot Summary:** Set in Victorian England, the story revolves around the disappearance of the priceless "Moonstone" diamond from the country estate of Rachel Verinder on her eighteenth birthday. The gem, with a dark history tied to Indian mythology and the British colonial presence, brings a curse upon its owner. The theft plunges the household into a web of suspicion, secrets, and an intricate investigation. Collins masterfully employs multiple narrators - including the loyal steward Gabriel Betteredge, the eccentric professional detective Sergeant Cuff, and other household members - to piece together the puzzling events. This narrative technique provides diverse perspectives, builds suspense, and challenges the reader to discern the truth amidst conflicting accounts and red herrings. **Literary Significance & Themes:** Beyond the thrilling mystery, "The Moonstone" explores profound themes relevant to its Victorian context and beyond, such as: * **Colonialism and its consequences:** The diamond's origin and the Indian characters' pursuit of it highlight imperial power dynamics. * **Class and social hypocrisy:** The behavior and secrets of the upper and lower classes are scrutinized. * **The nature of truth:** Multiple, often contradictory, accounts force the reader to question reliability. * **Psychological depth:** Characters grapple with guilt, suspicion, and addiction (e.g., opium use). * **Pioneering detective fiction:** It introduced elements like the professional detective, the country house setting, the list of suspects, red herrings, and a meticulously constructed plot that influenced future authors like Arthur Conan Doyle. **About this Longman Edition (ISBN 978-0582427216):** Longman, now part of Pearson Education, is renowned for its educational and academic publications. Editions with this type of ISBN are typically designed for students, offering more than just the plain text of the novel. This particular edition likely belongs to a series aimed at literature students or English language learners. It would usually feature: * **An authoritative text** of the novel. * **A comprehensive introduction:** Providing critical analysis of the novel's historical context, literary significance, themes, and Collins's writing style. * **Detailed annotations:** Explaining archaic language, cultural references, and complex plot points to aid comprehension. * **Study questions or activities:** To encourage deeper engagement and analysis of the text. * **A chronology** of Wilkie Collins's life and works. * **A bibliography** for further reading and research. This Longman edition of "The Moonstone" therefore serves as an excellent resource for anyone studying Victorian literature, the history of detective fiction, or simply seeking a richly annotated and insightful reading experience of a classic nove |
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