A Rogue's Life

Name: A Rogue's Life
Author: Wilkie Collins

By Wilkie Collins

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British Literature Humour Novels

About This Book

A first-person narrator delivers a series of witty autobiographical sketches that chart a life of social misadventure, pretended respectability, and episodic adventure. Presented as imaginary confessions originally published in instalments, the episodes mix comic anecdote, self-mockery, and keen observations on family ties, artistic pursuits, and the mechanics of social advancement. Individual chapters function as discrete encounters—awkward visits, portrait sittings, opportunistic schemes and brief travels—linked by an ironic, buoyant voice and recurring motifs of vanity, flattery, and fortunate escapes. The account favors entertainment and comic portraiture over solemn moralizing, closing with an admission of unrealized extensions to the tale.

About the Author

Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins (1824-1889) was an English novelist and playwright, renowned for his pioneering contributions to the mystery and detective genres. His works often blend elements of suspense, social commentary, and complex characterizations. Collins is best known for his novel "The Woman in White," which is celebrated for its innovative narrative structure and psychological depth. Other notable works include "Armadale," "Basil," and "The Moonstone," the latter often regarded as one of the first detective novels in English literature. His writing reflects the Victorian era's concerns and intricacies, making him a significant figure in the literary heritage of the time.