Broadview Literary Texts: Heart and Science

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Wilkie Collins’s later novels often address social issues alongside storytelling, and many critics argue that they remain as engaging and thought-provoking today as when first published. This is particularly true for his 1883 novel, which Collins himself ranked alongside his masterpiece. The plot centers on Carmina Graywell, an orphan under the control of her aunt, Mrs. Gallilee, while her fiancé recovers in Canada. Mrs. Gallilee schemes to manipulate and ultimately destroy the naïve yet strong-willed Carmina over her inheritance. Complicating matters is Dr. Benjulia, a dark genius devoted to studying brain diseases, who encourages Carmina’s life-threatening illness for scientific observation. The narrative builds to two climactic scenes filled with tension. Collins passionately addresses the debate over vivisection, spurred by a sensational 1880s trial involving a doctor acquitted of live animal experimentation without a license. The edition includes excerpts from contemporary accounts of the trial, documents related to the vivisection controversy, and various reviews. It also features an introduction, chronology, explanatory notes, and a note on the text. The story of strong-willed women and its vivisectionist theme resonate with modern readers, reflecting contemporary animal welfare and rights debates.