Woman in White - PBS Series

I finished the five part PBS series, Woman in White, today.  It was based on the book that I read this winter written by Wilkie Collins in 1859.  I picked up the book originally as it was widely regarded as one of the first mystery novels and was said to have started the genre of sensation novels.  Since I had really enjoyed the book, I was very interested in seeing what the screen writers would do with it as a television series.

I was pleased with the characters of the series.  They were entertaining and interesting just as they were in the novel.  The plot remained relatively the same with a few minor changes that did not detract from the storyline.  The most interesting difference between the novel and the television series revolved around one of the main characters.  In the book, Marian was the eldest sister, protector of the family and extremely observant.  In the series she had many of the same characteristics, but her most dominant trait was that of feminism.  In 1859 feminism was not the same as it is today.  Thus, the repeated speeches about female rights seemed out of place and did nothing to add to the story.  I definitely would have left her as was written by Collins.  Maybe PBS thought it would be too controversial to have her happily remain living with her newly married sister in the end, so that was why they added a trip around the world for Marian in the last scene.  It didn't hurt the story, but I have never needed modern day issues to be intertwined in a televised version of a beloved book.  That is probaly why I prefer the BBC adaptions of English novels the best.  Either way, I was glad to have watched it and impressed that they tried to bring a wonderful 19th century novel to life.