The Moonstone

Historical Context and Significance

The Moonstone is one of the first and most significant detective novels in literary history, written by Wilkie Collins and first published in 1868. This work is often called 'the first and best detective novel' and is noted for its unique narrative structure and masterful use of multiple perspectives, laying the foundation for future works in the detective genre. The novel had a significant impact on the development of the literary direction, inspiring many authors and becoming a canonical example of the detective genre.