Little Novels (eBook)

Wilkie Collins, born William Wilkie Collins on January 8, 1824, in London, England, was a prolific writer and a leading figure in Victorian literature. Regarded as one of the pioneers of detective fiction, Collins delighted readers with his masterful blend of suspense, legal drama, and romance. His writing career was marked by a close friendship with Charles Dickens, with whom he collaboratively penned several works and contributed to Dickens's periodicals. Collins's literary style adeptly combined Gothic horror with realistic narratives, exploring the complexities of Victorian society, including its domestic issues and class struggles. Collins's oeuvre includes numerous novels, short stories, and plays, but he is particularly celebrated for his sensation novels, such as 'The Woman in White' (1860) and 'The Moonstone' (1868), which are considered to be among the forerunners of modern detective stories. His collection 'Little Novels' (1887) comprises a series of shorter tales that echo the same enthralling storytelling found in his larger works. These stories are infused with intrigue and the subtle interplay of human relationships against a backdrop of societal constraints. Collins suffered from gout for much of his life, which led to an addiction to opium, an experience that also informed his writing. He passed away on September 23, 1889, in London, but his pioneering contributions to the genres of suspense and mystery continue to resonate with readers today.