The Frozen Deep (eBook)

Wilkie Collins was an eminent English novelist, playwright, and short story writer, born on January 8, 1824, in London, England, to the painter William Collins. Renowned for his contributions to the mystery and detective genres, Collins was a contemporary and friend to acclaimed author Charles Dickens, with whom he occasionally collaborated. One of Collins' significant works of note is 'The Frozen Deep,' a play that delves into themes of love and sacrifice, later adapted into a novella. Collins' literary style often included complex plots and was character-driven, with elements of social criticism and sympathetic portrayals of women and the underprivileged—a rarity in Victorian literature. He is best known for his novels 'The Woman in White' and 'The Moonstone,' which are considered early forerunners of modern suspense and detective novels. His works frequently appeared as serials in periodicals like 'All the Year Round' and 'Household Words,' publications managed by Dickens. Collins' attention to the intricacies of the law and the psychological depth of his characters set him apart from his contemporaries. Despite suffering from gout and opium addiction, which affected his later works, Collins' contributions to literature remained noteworthy until his death on September 23, 1889. His explorations of Victorian society's underbelly have cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in the development of English fiction.