Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins: A Life of Mystery and Storytelling. Wilkie Collins was an enigmatic figure, with a head that seemed too big for his body, and eyes that struggled to stay still. Yet, he charmed those around him, befriending the great Charles Dickens and captivating generations of readers with his novels. This biography by Peter Ackroyd delves into Collins' life, from his childhood as the son of an artist to his rise as a writer, and his enduring legacy in the world of detective fiction. Collins was a true Londoner, fascinated by the secrets and crimes that lay hidden behind the city's respectable facade. He tackled injustices head-on, producing masterpieces like The Moonstone and The Woman in White, as well as lesser-known works. But Collins had his own secrets: he never married, yet lived with Caroline Graves for thirty years, and also had a second liaison. Told with Ackroyd's characteristic verve, this biography is full of surprises, rich in humour and sympathetic understanding. A fascinating and entertaining life story, Wilkie Collins offers a unique glimpse into the world of Victorian literature and the man behind some of its most enduring mysteries.