Basil
About this book
Basil (1852) is a novel by Wilkie Collins. Written in the aftermath of Antonina (1850), his successful debut, Basil finds the author honing the trademark sense of mystery and psychological unease that would make him a household name around the world. Recognized as an important Victorian novelist and pioneer of detective fiction, Wilkie Collins was a writer with a gift for thoughtful entertainment, stories written for a popular audience that continue to resonate with scholars and readers today. Basil, a young heir, is born with the future in his hands. As he reaches adulthood, he begins to question the expectations associated with wealth and social standing. Under enormous pressure from his father to marry a respectable woman, he finds himself drawn to a mysterious beauty, a draper's daughter named Margaret Sherwin. In secret, he arranges a plan with her father to marry Margaret on one condition: they must live separately until she reaches the age of eighteen. As he eagerly awaits the day, Basil reconnects with Mannion, an acquaintance who has just recently returned from abroad. As the story unfolds, Basil's fortunate destiny gives way to jealousy, violence, and a series of shocking revelations. Beyond its sensational plot, Basil is a novel that effectively critiques the institution of marriage and the false morality of the British aristocracy. This edition of Wilkie Collins' Basil is a classic work of English literature reimagined for modern readers.
Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.
With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- Part I
- Part II
- Part III
- Letters in Conclusion
- A Note About the Author
- A Note from the Publisher