Amara Saldaña

Outside the bedroom the night was black and still.

Unlike his usual style, this is a novel of conscience, without much melodrama; Collins weaves a story of what he delicately calls "sexual frailty." Trapped in an adulterous union, neither of two involved are happy in it. The husband has been divorced by his wife, and she has sole custody of their child. Now she is being courted by another man, and has almost decided to marry him. Not surprisingly, it was commercially most profitable, while inviting the disapprobation of Victorian society for its themes of adultery, divorce, custodial battles and women's rights.

The Fallen Leaves," a 1879 novel by Wilkie Collins, explores the lives of four women, or "fallen leaves," linked by their relationships with the hero, Amelius Goldenheart, and secrets from their pasts, focusing on the complexities of relationships and social issues of the time.

"The Queen of Hearts," by Wilkie Collins, is a collection of interconnected short stories, primarily focused on the themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. The title story revolves around Gertrude, a young woman torn between her husband, Harry, and her former lover, Richard. The other stories, like "The Ten Days," delve into various plots and characters, highlighting the author's mastery of storytelling. The novel is a classic example of Victorian literature, exploring the moral and emotional landscape of the time. Here's a more detailed overview: Central Themes: The core themes of "The Queen of Hearts" include love, marriage, betrayal, and the impact of secrets on relationships. Gertrude's struggle to reconcile her affections for two men and the secrets they hold create a sense of suspense and drama. Interconnected Stories: The collection features various stories, including the titular "The Queen of Hearts," which introduces Gertrude and her love triangle. "The Ten Days" is another prominent story within the collection, exploring a series of events and characters. Character Dynamics: The story explores the dynamics between different characters, particularly the three elderly brothers (Owen, Morgan, and Griffith) who live in a secluded tower and are visited by Jessie Yelverton, a young woman who brings vibrancy into their lives. Setting: The story is set in rural South Wales, emphasizing the contrast between the brothers' quiet, isolated lives and the arrival of the energetic Jessie. Victorian Era Context: "The Queen of Hearts" reflects the social and moral values of the Victorian era, including the importance of reputation, family, and social standing. Style and Narrative: Wilkie Collins is known for his suspenseful narratives and his ability to create complex characters and plots. He employs a variety of narrative styles within the collection, including epistolary (letter-based) sections and direct narration. The Queen of Hearts, by Wilkie Collins - Project Gutenberg As a single man, my own small independence, aided by what little additions to it I could pick up with my pen, had been sufficient ... Project Gutenberg The Queen of Hearts by Wilkie Collins - Project Gutenberg The Queen of Hearts by Wilkie Collins | Project Gutenberg. 55 by Wilkie Collins. The Queen of Hearts by Wilkie Collins. "The Queen... Project Gutenberg The Queen of Hearts - Wilkie Collins - LibriVox Jul 21, 2014 — The Queen of Hearts. Wilkie Collins (1824 - 1889). The elderly Brothers Owen, Morgan and Griffith live a quiet, retire... LibriVox Show all

A mystery unfolds around a deaf and mute girl named Mary, or Madonna adopted by artist Valentine Blyth, whose true identity and family history are shrouded in secrets, leading to a search for her origins and a revelation of a long-hidden family scandal.

Exchanging vows of love with sailor Frank Aldersley the night before his departure, Clara Burnham is haunted by the memory of Richard Wardour, and his mistaken belief that they will one day marry. With her gift of 'Second Sight', Clara foresees terrible tragedy ahead and is racked by guilt. Allied to two different ships, the two men at first have no cause to meet — until disaster strikes and they find themselves united in a battle for survival. It cannot be long before they discover the nature of their rivalry, and the hot-tempered Wardour must choose how to take his revenge. Based on the doomed 1845 expedition to the Arctic, and originally performed as a play starring both Collins and Dickens, 'The Frozen Deep' is a dramatic tale of vengeance and self-sacrifice which went on to inspire the character of Sydney Carton in Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities'. NB: This is a separate work by Wilkie Collins It is a novel, published serially in 'Temple Bar' between August and October 1874 and then published as a book, and is not the play of the same name that Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins collaborated on in 1856 and that they both appeared in and that was subsequently published in 1857.

This story first appeared in Charles Dickens' magazine, "Household Words," volume 16, number 382, July 18, 1857. Published anonymously, as all contributions to the magazine were, it was attributed definitely to Wilkie Collins by Anne Lohrli in her analysis of the magazine's finanacial accounts.