Basil

Overshadowed by his good friend Charles Dickens, the popular and prolific Collins (1860’s The Woman in White; 1868’s The Moonstone) is considered one of the first British detective fiction writers. Published in 1852, this second novel contains many classic mystery elements and, typical of Victorian sensation fiction, revolves around a number of secrets. Nicholas Boulton, a veteran Collins narrator, perfectly embodies the self-effacing and angsty Basil, a twentysomething, mostly aimless second son in a noble family who finds purpose only after falling obsessively in love with a beautiful girl he sees on a bus. After following her home, he learns she is the daughter of linen draper Mr. Sherwin, who, though wealthy, is considered beneath his family’s social class. Despite hardly knowing her, he decides they should secretly marry, setting off a chain of events that estranges him from his proud father and eventually threatens his life. Boulton’s expressive, nuanced delivery accentuates the growing suspense in the somewhat contrived but entertaining story line and his characterizations—ranging from Basil’s gentle, intelligent sister, Clara, to the boorish, simpering Mr. Sherwin—are breathtaking.