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"Antonina" is also called "The Fall of Rome". It was written by the British detective novelist Collins based on the creative materials and inspiration he accumulated while living in Italy. It is a historical novel set in the life of Rome in the 6th century. Although it did not cause a sensation, it launched Collins's creative career as a real writer. This book is the original English version and should not be missed by English lovers. Wilkie Collins is known as the father of British detective novels. He is also an indispensable writer in the history of world detective novels. Before him, no one had led short detective stories to full-length creations. He took the lead in shaping the witty, brave, sincere and kind official detective-Inspector Cuff. Collins was extremely famous during his lifetime. Some critics call him a pioneer of suspense and detective novels. Especially in terms of carefully weaving stories, many mystery novelists in later generations learned many useful experiences from Collins.

Thenovelisa19th-century semi-epistolaryone. ArmadaleisanovelbyWilkieCollins, firstpublishedin1864-66. Somelinkingpassagesconsistoflettersbetweenthevariouscharacters, orofextractsfromLydia'sjournal, b utthegreatmajorityofthetextnarratestheeventsastheyoccur. ThenovelhasaconvolutedplotabouttwodistantcousinsbothnamedAllanArmadale. Thefatherofonehadmurderedthefatheroftheother(thetwofathersarealsona medAllanArmadale).'Thedistortionsoftheplot, theviolentandirrationalreactionsofthecharacters, reflectanddramatisethewaysinwhichhisreaders'perceptionsweredistortedbytheassumptionsandhypocrisiesofth esocietyinwhichtheylived,"writesCatherinePetersinthecommentbook. ItisthethirdofWilkieCollins'sfour'greatnovels'ofthe1860s: afterTheWomaninWhite(1859–60)andNoName(1862), andbeforeTheMoonstone(1868).