A Reading Life, A Writing Life, with Sally Bayley
Searching for Verity
Nov 2, 2023
The podcast explores the concept of place through Wilkie Collins' novel The Moonstone, reflecting on the moon as a symbol of femininity. The speaker discusses their new book and teaching a course on detective fiction. They reflect on the warm October weather, search for lost audio equipment, and their opposition to data collection. The speaker contemplates the weather, nature, and characters, and reflects on the search for truth and mystery in their novel, 'The Green Lady'.
33:16
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Quick takeaways
- The Moonstone explores the variable nature of truth, with characters asserting different perspectives and competing narratives.
- The author draws parallels between the structure of Wilkie Collins' The Moonstone and her own experiences with writing, finding comfort in the interconnectedness of different parts in both fabric and storytelling.
Deep dives
The Moonstone: A Rambling Mess of a Detective Novel
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins is considered the first English detective novel. It is a rambling mess of a story with multiple narratives competing for attention. The main narrative revolves around the theft of a large diamond, the Moonstone, in a remote country house in Yorkshire. The house itself becomes a prominent element in the story, with much of the action centered around doors and windows. The novel's construction and abundance of emotions make it reminiscent of the first draft of a novel, with various characters competing to be the protagonist.
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