Woman in White - Need a Push

So I'd really like to join the discussion on this one. I already have the book from a while back. The only problem for me is that I saw the West End musical a few years ago, and let's just say it wasn't my favorite theatre experience. Can anyone sell me on reading the book? Would appreciate it. Thanks.

I've never seen the musical, so I cannot really compare the two; however, I find it hard to believe that a musical was able to capture the well-definite character distinctions between Marion and Laura, between reality and the time's standard of femininity. In fact, the book is worth reading for the character of Marion Halcombe alone.

I also haven't seen the musical, but I read the book two years ago and loved it - I was totally glued to it. It's a good mystery with suspense and a really fabulously creepy villain and christiguc is right, Marian Halcombe is a fantastic character. And I can easily imagine it failing as a theatre production, and a musical would almost certainly be far worse. So yes, read it! It's great! (Oh dear. Now I've set it up to be a disappointment...)

I've not seen the musical or read the book, though I have read Collins' The Moonstone and loved it. As I understand it (and here I should admit to not being an Andrew Lloyd Webber fan), the musical failed of its own accord. It was one of Webber's few failures, had many production problems, and received terrible reviews. I also understand that it took liberties with the story, so I would imagine you can enter the world of the book with a clear mind.

My experience with Collins is also limited to The Moonstone, which I enjoyed immensely, so I have high hopes for The Woman in White! First, I must finish a few other books, incl. Villette.

Ok. I'm gonna give it a try. I may come into it slightly later than the group, as I am still immersed in The Pillars of the Earth, which is massive. See you all soon!

I'm like you, ladygata. I read The Moonstone and found it very contrived. I decided to give Collins a break since he is a precursor in the thriller genre.
I'll give The Woman in White a try - I've so far very much enjoyed the picks by this group.

I'm still slightly in shock at the idea of a musical about The Woman in White. :) I do have my copy to hand, I'm just finishing off Silas Marner first. Which is proving to be a much slower read than I anticipated from its slim size! I do find George Eliot a bit hard going, I'm never sure why.