Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall

What is it with the Bronte family and names that start with H? I was recently rereading my review on Wuthering Heights and I had the same complaint. Everyone's last name starts with H and it makes it really difficult at times to keep the characters straight. Despite that, I really enjoyed this fiercely feminist book for the Victorian era. I liked the framework for the story (epistolary at first from Gilbert, then diary entries from Helen) though I had some questions about the realism of it since in real life it would be very odd if Helen not only wrote about her escape plans in her diary that her husband could find at any time, but also very unlikely that she would just hand her diary over to Gilbert.

Content Warnings

vera_nikolajevna's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

Went through the five stages of grief and lost all my hope, only to immediately regain it, about 37 times

Content Warnings

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Whatever I am, you will be the same, and therefore, cannot possibly regret it; and whatever that change may be, we know it must be for the better.”
The Tennant of Wildfell Hall is an absolutely breathtaking novel, and one which I never wanted to end. A feminist text way ahead of its time, the story uncovers the dark past of Helen Graham, who lives alone in Wildfell Hall with her son Arthur.
This was one of the first novels to bluntly discus divorce, alcoholism, and other taboo topics, so much to the point that Charlotte Bronte did all in her power to stop its publication. For any fans of the Brontes, or those looking to get into their woks, I would highly recommend. I can’t wait to read Agnes Gray.

Content Warnings

nicolesbookreviews's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

mekowaletti's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

i'm not usually a fan of classics due to pacing but this was captivating all the way through

Content Warnings

katewhite77's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I Think Helen Huntingdon is one of the best heroines I have ever read.

This book was way way ahead of it's time and very controversial as it is a cering critique on Victorian parenting and the strife it causes in later in life. With a lazer sharp focus on gender. Therefore it is also immensely feminist and lays bare the dark side of Victorian attitude towards marriage and domestic violence. Religion is also an important theme in this novel. Universal salvation was a new concept at the time and also controversial concept. This is the idea that a sinner is not necessarily condemned to hell as long as time is served in purgatory is served.

This is also such a well written novel that you always feel at the centre of the action. The plot is so intricate and intriguing that I didn't know which way to look. Thankfully the Audrey app has handy character list so it is easy to keep track.

I can't recommend tĥis book and if you do take careful note of chapter 3.

Content Warnings

saliwali's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

_mims_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Gilbert and Helen are certainly the most well adjusted Brontë couple I’ve read about. Loved the story (especially the first half and helens diary), but the slow resolution was a little painful.

Content Warnings

More...