Alison Graham in the Radio Times observed, ‘It’s a great book… but it’s just not the kind of story that would find its way to the heart of the big schedules again.’ This is probably because the novel is convoluted and complex, constructed from various diaries, letters and narratives supplied by key witnesses to the theft of a stolen gem and as such very different from the various dramas that currently fill the evening slots with their brief scenes and linear plots, which require shorter attention spans. This latest version was televised each weekday afternoon in 45-minute episodes (31`October – 4 November 2016), and was aimed at a younger audience as part of the BBC’s LoveToRead season. Indeed, the BBC has been attempting to get a new adaptation of The Moonstone off the ground since at least 2011. The BBC has been particularly fond of the novel: apart from several radio versions, The Moonstone has been adapted for television four times in 1959, 1972, 19. Hollywood produced a film adaptation in 1934. Shortly after the book was published in 1868, there was a stage version. Wilkie Collins’ classic mystery novel The Moonstone, concerning the theft of a precious Indian jewel, has always been a popular choice with dramatists. Rachel’s gallant cousin, Mr Franklin Blake, was charged with the gem’s delivery. In his will, he bequeathed the diamond to his beautiful young niece, Rachel Verinder. The wicked Colonel smuggled the stone to England and kept it jealously. Vishnu the Preserver laid his curse on the thief, commanding three priests to search forever for his Moonstone.

‘In the last year of the 18th Century, Colonel John Herncastle plundered from India a priceless most sacred yellow diamond.

Wilkie Collins ‘The Moonstone’ – we review the BBC production Wilkie Collins’ classic mystery novel ‘The Moonstone’, concerning the theft of a precious Indian jewel, has always been a popular choice with dramatists.ĭavid Stuart Davies reviews the latest adaptation.

The moonstone novel