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Heart and Science
Wilkie Collins’s later novels are often as concerned with social issues as they are with simple storytelling—but as more and more critics are suggesting, the best of them are as readable and thought-provoking today as they were when they first appeared. Of none is this more true than of his 1883 novel Heart and Science, which Collins himself placed alongside his masterpiece The Woman in White.
Heart and Science turns on the fate of the orphaned Carmina Graywell, who is left in the charge of her aunt and guardian Mrs. Gallilee when her fiancé is forced to take an extended trip to Canada’s drier climes in order to recover his health. Over the issue of her inheritance Mrs. Gallilee schemes to manipulate, control and ultimately destroy the naïve but strong-willed Carmina. The story is complicated by the machinations of Dr. Benjulia, a dark genius whose passionate devotion to the study of diseases of the brain leads him to encourage the progress of Carmina’s life-threatening brain illness for the sake of scientific observation; the narrative builds to a pair of spectacularly lurid climactic scenes.
Collin’s novel tackles the debate over what he termed ‘the hideous secrets of Vivisection’ with a passionate intensity aroused in large part by the sensational 1880s case of a doctor who was acquitted on charges laid under the new Cruelty to Animals Act of having practiced live experimentation on animals without a license. Excerpts from a contemporary account of this trial, together with other documents relating to the vivisectionist controversy and a variety of contemporary reviews of the book, are included among the appendices of this volume. The edition also includes a full introduction, chronology, explanatory notes and a note on the text.
Heart and Science’s story of the struggle between strong-willed women will strike chords of sympathetic understanding with modern readers—as will its vivisectionist theme, with it’s clear parallels to the animal welfare/ animal rights debates of today.
Heart and Science turns on the fate of the orphaned Carmina Graywell, who is left in the charge of her aunt and guardian Mrs. Gallilee when her fiancé is forced to take an extended trip to Canada’s drier climes in order to recover his health. Over the issue of her inheritance Mrs. Gallilee schemes to manipulate, control and ultimately destroy the naïve but strong-willed Carmina. The story is complicated by the machinations of Dr. Benjulia, a dark genius whose passionate devotion to the study of diseases of the brain leads him to encourage the progress of Carmina’s life-threatening brain illness for the sake of scientific observation; the narrative builds to a pair of spectacularly lurid climactic scenes.
Collin’s novel tackles the debate over what he termed ‘the hideous secrets of Vivisection’ with a passionate intensity aroused in large part by the sensational 1880s case of a doctor who was acquitted on charges laid under the new Cruelty to Animals Act of having practiced live experimentation on animals without a license. Excerpts from a contemporary account of this trial, together with other documents relating to the vivisectionist controversy and a variety of contemporary reviews of the book, are included among the appendices of this volume. The edition also includes a full introduction, chronology, explanatory notes and a note on the text.
Heart and Science’s story of the struggle between strong-willed women will strike chords of sympathetic understanding with modern readers—as will its vivisectionist theme, with it’s clear parallels to the animal welfare/ animal rights debates of today.
381 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1883
29 people are currently reading
341 people want to read
About the author
Wilkie Collins
2,219 books2,886 followersWilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright, best known for The Woman in White (1860), an early sensation novel, and The Moonstone (1868), a pioneering work of detective fiction. Born to landscape painter William Collins and Harriet Geddes, he spent part of his childhood in Italy and France, learning both languages. Initially working as a tea merchant, he later studied law, though he never practiced. His literary career began with Antonina (1850), and a meeting with Charles Dickens in 1851 proved pivotal. The two became close friends and collaborators, with Collins contributing to Dickens' journals and co-writing dramatic works.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
Collins' success peaked in the 1860s with novels that combined suspense with social critique, including No Name (1862), Armadale (1864), and The Moonstone, which established key elements of the modern detective story. His personal life was unconventional—he openly opposed marriage and lived with Caroline Graves and her daughter for much of his life, while also maintaining a separate relationship with Martha Rudd, with whom he had three children.
Plagued by gout, Collins became addicted to laudanum, which affected both his health and later works. Despite declining quality in his writing, he remained a respected figure, mentoring younger authors and advocating for writers' rights. He died in 1889 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery. His legacy endures through his influential novels, which laid the groundwork for both sensation fiction and detective literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 16, 2016
Loved this book more than I thought I would...might not be for everyone but I really enjoyed it! Characters were interesting and plot made it hard to put down!
May 16, 2023
3.5 stars
Not my fave Collins, but it’s still Collins so even if enjoyment and engagement wise it’s a bit of a slog, this will undoubtably be a key text for my dissertation and there’s soooo much here I can’t wait to think about and unpack!!!!
Not my fave Collins, but it’s still Collins so even if enjoyment and engagement wise it’s a bit of a slog, this will undoubtably be a key text for my dissertation and there’s soooo much here I can’t wait to think about and unpack!!!!
October 14, 2021
Wasn't sure whether to give two or three stars... I'm sorry, Wilkie, but your later books just aren't as good! The characters felt a lot more 2D and stereotypical, you could tell where the plot was going, and there weren't any of the interesting secrets and twists that made earlier works exciting. What's more, the complexity of the portrayal of illness, physical and mental, was totally gone, and I didn't even feel like the attack against vivisection was as powerful as intended - we needed more time with the animals!
September 30, 2021
Plot wise this book was super cheesy in the most Victorian romance way possibly. The ironic humor mixed with anti-vivisection proselytizing throughout really makes it.
July 10, 2014
I have been reading a lot of Collins of late. One common feature in his books is the weak and silly heroine, who more than gets on your nerves, and a side character who is far more interesting (Miss Minerva) . The woman in white is an another instance.
A 31 year old doctor falling for a 17 year old girl is rather perverse. The ending was way too predictable.
I wonder what he's trying to say about science - throughout the book he is sarcastic about Mrs. Galillee's penchant for science.
An absorbing, ( if slightly irritating) read. At one point you feel like you are in a soap opera, with women plotting against each other. Though not to be compared to his masterpieces - Moonstone, The woman and white , Armadale and even Jezebel's daughter.
A 31 year old doctor falling for a 17 year old girl is rather perverse. The ending was way too predictable.
I wonder what he's trying to say about science - throughout the book he is sarcastic about Mrs. Galillee's penchant for science.
An absorbing, ( if slightly irritating) read. At one point you feel like you are in a soap opera, with women plotting against each other. Though not to be compared to his masterpieces - Moonstone, The woman and white , Armadale and even Jezebel's daughter.
January 15, 2023
Thank heavens, I have finally finished listening to a LibriVox audiobook version of Wilkie Collins' 1883 novel Heart and Science, and one word has occurred to me again and again throughout the long listening experience.
Dreadful. This book is dreadful.
I mean, this is a terrible novel. Its science is bad. Its characters are miserable. Its plot is godawful. It plods along and along.
I read it because I'd encountered references to Dr Benjulia, one of the characters, here and there in my other readings. Dr Benjulia is a vivisectionist. But he is hardly as interesting as the mad scientists one encounters in The Island of Dr Moreau or in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or even in Frankenstein. He is simply dreadful as a character.
When I encounter a book that's as bad as this one, I always think that as bad it is for a reader (or as in my case, an auditor), just think of how dreadful it must have been for the author to have devoted so much of his time to such drivel, to have focused on such dreadful material and the very long process of producing such a dreadful manuscript. I almost feel pity for such an author, and marvel that he possessed so little imagination that this was the best he could do. Almost.
But then I recall how the author is personally responsible for foisting such dreadful stuff on the public and my admittedly slight sympathy vanishes away.
As usual the LibriVox readers were perfectly acceptable, and I fully support their mission. In this case I certainly feel pity for them too, having had to endure such a dreadful tale.
Dreadful. This book is dreadful.
I mean, this is a terrible novel. Its science is bad. Its characters are miserable. Its plot is godawful. It plods along and along.
I read it because I'd encountered references to Dr Benjulia, one of the characters, here and there in my other readings. Dr Benjulia is a vivisectionist. But he is hardly as interesting as the mad scientists one encounters in The Island of Dr Moreau or in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea or even in Frankenstein. He is simply dreadful as a character.
When I encounter a book that's as bad as this one, I always think that as bad it is for a reader (or as in my case, an auditor), just think of how dreadful it must have been for the author to have devoted so much of his time to such drivel, to have focused on such dreadful material and the very long process of producing such a dreadful manuscript. I almost feel pity for such an author, and marvel that he possessed so little imagination that this was the best he could do. Almost.
But then I recall how the author is personally responsible for foisting such dreadful stuff on the public and my admittedly slight sympathy vanishes away.
As usual the LibriVox readers were perfectly acceptable, and I fully support their mission. In this case I certainly feel pity for them too, having had to endure such a dreadful tale.
January 14, 2024
Publishers and reviewers seem to focus on the commentary on science, but it's not as big a part of the book as the reviews suggest. What you have here is a straightforward Gothic romance: nice girl's parents die so she is sent far away to live with people she's never known, meets a nice boy who disappears pretty quickly, and is held captive while her family drains her inheritance. Collins tells a good story, but this one is straight out of Radcliffe. Collins reverses some of it, making Italian Catholics seem not so bad instead of the Ultimate Evil, and the most important characters are women. Men adorn the plot, but for most of the book they're secondary. There are some science-y bits, where Collins seems very anti-intellectual, but they're not really that important to the novel. The points on vivisection, that it makes scientists indifferent to all life and not just animals, is minor.
I've known people who give their lives to science and still maintain a living, active heart: people who are kind and generous and devoted to their families while also being interested in the functioning of the body or the inner workings of the world. Heart and science aren't opposed to each other, as Collins suggests.
I've known people who give their lives to science and still maintain a living, active heart: people who are kind and generous and devoted to their families while also being interested in the functioning of the body or the inner workings of the world. Heart and science aren't opposed to each other, as Collins suggests.
March 8, 2025
Lo más interesante de esta novela son algunos de sus personajes, especialmente aquellos que fungían como antagonistas: la Sra. Gallilee, la señorita Minerva, Le Frank y el Dr. Benjulia. Por el contrario, los protagonistas de la historia: Carmina y Ovid, resultan insulsos y superficiales. La historia resulta poco original y se extiende demasiado de manera innecesaria. Muy lejos de lo alcanzado en La Dama de Blanco y La Piedra Lunar, esta novela de Wilkie Collins a ratos puede resultar entretenida, a fuerza de la capacidad narrativa del autor y su estilo. No me atrevo a recomendar esta novela con entusiasmo, pero tampoco es necesariamente un tiempo perdido leerla.
The most interesting thing about this novel are some of its characters, especially those who act as antagonists: Mrs. Gallilee, Miss Minerva, Le Frank and Dr. Benjulia. On the other hand, the main characters of the story: Carmina and Ovid, are dull and superficial. The story is unoriginal and unnecessarily long. Far from what was achieved in The Woman in White and The Moonstone, this novel by Wilkie Collins can be entertaining at times, thanks to the author's narrative ability and style. I don't dare to recommend this novel enthusiastically, but it is not necessarily a waste of time to read it either.
The most interesting thing about this novel are some of its characters, especially those who act as antagonists: Mrs. Gallilee, Miss Minerva, Le Frank and Dr. Benjulia. On the other hand, the main characters of the story: Carmina and Ovid, are dull and superficial. The story is unoriginal and unnecessarily long. Far from what was achieved in The Woman in White and The Moonstone, this novel by Wilkie Collins can be entertaining at times, thanks to the author's narrative ability and style. I don't dare to recommend this novel enthusiastically, but it is not necessarily a waste of time to read it either.
October 9, 2017
Loved it--lots of drama, quirky characters you expect of Collins, and relevant social themes.
Doctor Benjulia is an intriguing villian, Mrs. Gallilee was a frightening one, the transformation of Miss Minerva was a real strong point, and Ovid & Carmina were worthy hero(ine)s. Mr. Mool was the type of lawyer I look forward to working with !
Fave Quotes:
"When we are miserable...it's a sign from kind Providence that we are intended to eat and drink." -Mr. Gallilee
I want someone to say this to me:
"My experience of mankind, sir, has been a bitterly bad one. You have improved my opinion of human nature since you entered this room. That is not a little thing to say, at my age and in my circumstances."
"Your visit has added a bright day to my calendar. In our pilgrimage, my friend, through this world of rogues and fools, we may never meet again. Let us remember gratefully that we have met. Farewell." -Mr. Baccani
Doctor Benjulia is an intriguing villian, Mrs. Gallilee was a frightening one, the transformation of Miss Minerva was a real strong point, and Ovid & Carmina were worthy hero(ine)s. Mr. Mool was the type of lawyer I look forward to working with !
Fave Quotes:
"When we are miserable...it's a sign from kind Providence that we are intended to eat and drink." -Mr. Gallilee
I want someone to say this to me:
"My experience of mankind, sir, has been a bitterly bad one. You have improved my opinion of human nature since you entered this room. That is not a little thing to say, at my age and in my circumstances."
"Your visit has added a bright day to my calendar. In our pilgrimage, my friend, through this world of rogues and fools, we may never meet again. Let us remember gratefully that we have met. Farewell." -Mr. Baccani
June 5, 2017
Wilkie Collins; Heart and Science.
Originally published in 1883, this examines the conflict between faith, emotional intelligence & science. I found it extremely compelling and had real problems putting it down at night.
The other themes I figured were
English and her nurse who is Italian.
Mental health issues: madness as embodied in Mrs Galilee, the hero's mother & his cousin & sweetheart, Carmina, the heroine of the novel.
Intellectualism & rationalism as symbolised by Science. This is embodied in Mrs Galilee & Dr Benjula who is a vivisectionist. Both are totally devoid of empathy and the ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective. This attitude is contrasted with Deep feeling, compassion & tenderness as embodied in the hero Ovid Vere & Carmina who turns a bitter rival into a loving, devoted friend. These qualities are symbolised in the word heart.
Originally published in 1883, this examines the conflict between faith, emotional intelligence & science. I found it extremely compelling and had real problems putting it down at night.
The other themes I figured were
English and her nurse who is Italian.
Mental health issues: madness as embodied in Mrs Galilee, the hero's mother & his cousin & sweetheart, Carmina, the heroine of the novel.
Intellectualism & rationalism as symbolised by Science. This is embodied in Mrs Galilee & Dr Benjula who is a vivisectionist. Both are totally devoid of empathy and the ability to see a situation from someone else's perspective. This attitude is contrasted with Deep feeling, compassion & tenderness as embodied in the hero Ovid Vere & Carmina who turns a bitter rival into a loving, devoted friend. These qualities are symbolised in the word heart.
January 16, 2019
I think this is the first Wilke Collins book I had to force myself to keep reading. It was often very tiresome. But, it does have a detestable, greedy, guardian aunt you love to hate, a sweet father/husband/uncle who usually lets his horrible wife run the show, a lovely niece with a large inheritance, a devoted lover, a crazy old Italian nanny who protects her orphaned charge like a mad bull, an unruly child who ends up adorable and the star of the story, a spying maid who evolves into a friend, a vile scientist physician who does cruel experiments on dogs, and a lot of madness, swooning, fainting, and lying abed until you have recovered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2025
"Los ojos de la muchacha se encontraron con los suyos. La mirada sólo duró un instante, pero su poder lo atraparía para siempre."
"En el caso de una novela, quien se lo crea será considerado un tonto. En el caso de un periódico, será considerado un tonto quien lo dude."
"Poseía los ojos grandes y redondos que vemos en las ilustraciones, y los dulces modales y perfectos principios que leemos en los libros."
"Los maridos afectuosos no son, necesariamente, padres cariñosos."
"El sabio anciano que afirmó que «El tiempo vuela» debió de hacer ese importante descubrimiento mientras se preparaba para un viaje."
"En el caso de una novela, quien se lo crea será considerado un tonto. En el caso de un periódico, será considerado un tonto quien lo dude."
"Poseía los ojos grandes y redondos que vemos en las ilustraciones, y los dulces modales y perfectos principios que leemos en los libros."
"Los maridos afectuosos no son, necesariamente, padres cariñosos."
"El sabio anciano que afirmó que «El tiempo vuela» debió de hacer ese importante descubrimiento mientras se preparaba para un viaje."
March 15, 2021
This book was such a pleasant surprise! Based on the cover and even the description, you would not guess that its a rather funny Victorian tale of meddling step mothers and an Anti-Vivisection subplot ! Even the side characters were thoroughly fleshed-out and entertaining (I LOVED Zo)
The last section of the novel EARNS the 4 stars - the ending is so deeply satisfying, and everyone receives the fate they deserve!!! Would actually recommend this classic !
The last section of the novel EARNS the 4 stars - the ending is so deeply satisfying, and everyone receives the fate they deserve!!! Would actually recommend this classic !
April 13, 2018
Even mediocre Collins is more interesting than many a lesser writer, this "novel-with-a-cause" offers a sometimes absurd, often thrilling, and at times moving criticism of the excesses of medical science in experimenting on humans and animals.
July 9, 2021
Es la clase de libro qie me encanta, eso unido al comienzo de mis vacaciones ha hecho que lo termine rápido. Tal y como se describe en el posfacio, amor, suspense, y la descripción de un tema relevante en la época, la viviseccion.
August 25, 2018
Another example of Victorian literature by a gentleman who broaches difficult topics such as vivisection.
December 14, 2019
Reseña completa aquí -> https://inquilinasnetherfield.blogspo...
April 1, 2023
Valió la pena leerlo aunque al principio se me hizo tedioso. Pero valió la pena aún más al entender el por qué Wilkie Collins escribió este libro.
March 9, 2025
I know where this story is going. It just takes too long to get there. I don’t have that much patience.
March 13, 2017
Book for 19th century novels
January 14, 2016
Back in high school, I read and analysed an excerpt from Wilkie Collins and found myself vastly intrigued -- three or four years later, I discovered that, yup, I really do love his writing! It was an immensely gratifying realisation; I enjoyed Heart & Science soooo much. Mostly it was just ridiculously entertaining, and hilarious at turns (god, I love Collins' narrative voice).
Dr. Benjulia is now one of my new favourite characters ever, and I just wish I'd finished the book in time to give an impassioned defense of him to my class. He isn't as heartless and villainous as everyone made him out to be! He's amazing, guys!
/fangirlish love
Dr. Benjulia is now one of my new favourite characters ever, and I just wish I'd finished the book in time to give an impassioned defense of him to my class. He isn't as heartless and villainous as everyone made him out to be! He's amazing, guys!
/fangirlish love
January 2, 2015
There's a dreary romance at the heart of this - thankfully, romantic lead Ovid sods off to Canada fairly early on (just a shame that he comes back). But the rest of it is fab. It's an attack on vivisection, and clearly indicates that science has no heart, but Wilkie never descends into polemic and has brilliant characters on both sides. He's superb at small unruly children, and has a great one here in Zoe (known as Zo).
Fave quotes: He submitted to the force of events as a cabbage-leaf submits to the teeth of a rabbit.
and
"Poetry?" she repeated, in accents of resignation. "Oh, good heavens!"
Fave quotes: He submitted to the force of events as a cabbage-leaf submits to the teeth of a rabbit.
and
"Poetry?" she repeated, in accents of resignation. "Oh, good heavens!"
March 27, 2008
i have a really ancient copy of this one printed before 1900.
Not the best book. i like old books.
probably my enjoyment was due to the physical state of the book. i'm a sucker for handset type and such, some of the letters were set backwards, inconsistent inking and the like.
dr. benjulia is a great character, although not especially developed. i love how everyone's on bedrest and fainting and taking ill for months near death due to emotion, cracks me up. every time someone mentioned vivisection in the book i got a visual/audio of zoidberg(futurama). that's about it.
Not the best book. i like old books.
probably my enjoyment was due to the physical state of the book. i'm a sucker for handset type and such, some of the letters were set backwards, inconsistent inking and the like.
dr. benjulia is a great character, although not especially developed. i love how everyone's on bedrest and fainting and taking ill for months near death due to emotion, cracks me up. every time someone mentioned vivisection in the book i got a visual/audio of zoidberg(futurama). that's about it.
October 26, 2011
There's plenty of subtext surging beneath the obvious black-and-white surface, but for the most part this is just fun to read as a literary soap opera. This sensational type of novel is one step away from straight-up horror. If you've ever indulged in a little Days of Our Lives or even Twilight, check it out. Plus, it's interesting to delve into the debate over vivisection and consider whether it was/is ever a justifiable means to an end
August 7, 2015
Corazón y ciencia es un excelente libro, muy bien escrito, una buena historia y una variedad de personajes muy bien retratados. No es exactamente una crítica mordaz hacia la vivisección pero si una muestra de los errores que los humanos pueden cometer en pro de la ciencia y principalmente, sus propios intereses.
Reseña completa: http://thebooksaremylife.blogspot.com...
Reseña completa: http://thebooksaremylife.blogspot.com...
May 8, 2012
I was mesmerized by this book, almost against my will. Though the medical parts were deliberately mysterious and vague, still the book was well written enough to transcend the prehistoricity of science of the time period.
The romance part was sweet and more detailed and realistic than many of the novels of the time period.
The romance part was sweet and more detailed and realistic than many of the novels of the time period.
October 23, 2011
Not the greatest novel in the world, but fascinating none the less. Wilkie Collins is a victorian soap opera writer! I loved the evil, vivisector scientist and his perverse interest in a little girl! What a villain.
October 16, 2015
Heart and Science tells the story an evil aunt, a creepy doctor, a budding romance, and the horrors of vivisection. An enjoyable read, Collins's novel is also a compelling testament to the rising concern with animal welfare in the 1870s.
July 7, 2013
Not Collins's finest.
January 6, 2015
Different to his usual suspense novels this was still good with very well developed characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews