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In 1857, Charles Dickens paired up with his close friend and fellow Victorian novelist Wilkie Collins to produce this interesting novella. Said to have been inspired by the Sepoy Mutiny of that year, the tale scrutinizes the moral impact of colonialism and lauds the bravery of a regiment of Marines tasked with the responsibility of protecting a community of British expats from an encroaching swarm of dangerous pirates..
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Off the coast of Belize, a small island paradise serves as colony and depot for the British silver mine on the mainland. To be sure, reports of piratical depredations up and down the coast have caused quite a stir, which is why His Majesty's sailors and Marines have been despatched to clear up the disturbance. But when the pirates prove craftier than expected, colonists, sailors, and Marines alike will find themselves ensnared in a desperate struggle for survival against hopeless odds.
This collaboration of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins is a short, energetic adventure yarn along the lines of "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped," but written decades before those hoary classics. Tropical paradise, trackless jungle, gunfights, treachery, show more treasure, beautiful women and innocent children to save: this tale has it all. I was surprised to find that my edition only contained the first and third chapters, because these were the chapters written by Dickens. After a bit of frantic Googling, I tracked down an online reproduction of Collins's second chapter, and glad I am that I did. This chapter is the true heart of the story, a taut and suspenseful and exotic narrative comparable to any modern thriller. Frankly, I think Dickens comes off second-best in this collaboration, so make sure you find an edition containing that critical second chapter if you choose to set sail in His Gracious Majesty's service against the most villainous set of scalawags ever to blight the Caribbean. show less
This collaboration of Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins is a short, energetic adventure yarn along the lines of "Treasure Island" and "Kidnapped," but written decades before those hoary classics. Tropical paradise, trackless jungle, gunfights, treachery, show more treasure, beautiful women and innocent children to save: this tale has it all. I was surprised to find that my edition only contained the first and third chapters, because these were the chapters written by Dickens. After a bit of frantic Googling, I tracked down an online reproduction of Collins's second chapter, and glad I am that I did. This chapter is the true heart of the story, a taut and suspenseful and exotic narrative comparable to any modern thriller. Frankly, I think Dickens comes off second-best in this collaboration, so make sure you find an edition containing that critical second chapter if you choose to set sail in His Gracious Majesty's service against the most villainous set of scalawags ever to blight the Caribbean. show less
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2,578+ Works 313,139 Members
Charles Dickens, perhaps the best British novelist of the Victorian era, was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England on February 7, 1812. His happy early childhood was interrupted when his father was sent to debtors' prison, and young Dickens had to go to work in a factory at age twelve. Later, he took jobs as an office boy and journalist before show more publishing essays and stories in the 1830s. His first novel, The Pickwick Papers, made him a famous and popular author at the age of twenty-five. Subsequent works were published serially in periodicals and cemented his reputation as a master of colorful characterization, and as a harsh critic of social evils and corrupt institutions. His many books include Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, A Christmas Carol, and A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836, and the couple had nine children before separating in 1858 when he began a long affair with Ellen Ternan, a young actress. Despite the scandal, Dickens remained a public figure, appearing often to read his fiction. He died in 1870, leaving his final novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, unfinished. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
398+ Works 39,983 Members
Wilkie Collins was born in London, England on January 8, 1824. He worked first in business and then law, but eventually turned to literature. During his lifetime, he wrote 30 novels, more than 60 short stories, at least 14 plays, and more than 100 non-fiction pieces. His works include Antonia, The Woman in White, The Moonstone, The Haunted Hotel, show more and Heart and Science. He was a close friend of Charles Dickens and collaborated with him. He died on September 23, 1889. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Perils of Certain English Prisoners
- Original publication date
- 1857
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 54
- Popularity
- 563,236
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.80)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 26
- ASINs
- 4
