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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
No
This book had beautiful writing and wonderful narration.
Unfortunately this was just not the story for me. I found the bulk of it difficult to get through because of the subject matter.
I despise the male protagonist. I found him selfish and incredibly off-putting.
Unfortunately this was just not the story for me. I found the bulk of it difficult to get through because of the subject matter.
I despise the male protagonist. I found him selfish and incredibly off-putting.
I have mixed feelings about this book, even though I generally really enjoyed it. I loved that it switched from one point of view to another and then back again. I love that part of the book was in epistolary form. The story truly kept my interest and each character was unique and engaging in some way.
One thing that bothered me as I followed the story was that my opinion of both the character of Helen and Gilbert kept changing for me as the book progressed. One moment I liked the character, then I disliked the character and back and forth. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it made me become cloudy as to who I was rooting for in the novel.
The level of miscommunication due to reserve, pride or social conventions frustrated me to no end (most likely why I couldn't give this a 5 star rating). One simple statement or question could have saved all people involved a great deal of suffering and heartache. Sacrifice and martyrdom was also a major theme in the book, as well, which I sometimes appreciate, but I think it was a bit overdone in this particular story.
Parts of the story upset me a good deal and I could barely get through some chapters fast enough. Though, I do feel like they were integral to the story and to why Helen had to leave her husband. One of my favorite classics from this time period, but definitely not as fun or lighthearted in tone as the novels of Jane Austen. Even though I had a number of issues with the novel, I couldn't help but like it and I do want to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again.
(SPOILER ALERT: I almost wish that Helen had connected with Mr. Hargrave at the end. I felt that he was always there to save or support her and tried so hard to be a dear friend. Even after Gilbert showed so much violence against Helen's brother, she still chose him and that confused me. I had more sympathy and affection for Mr. Hargrave than for Gilbert Markham. I wonder if anyone else felt that way?)
One thing that bothered me as I followed the story was that my opinion of both the character of Helen and Gilbert kept changing for me as the book progressed. One moment I liked the character, then I disliked the character and back and forth. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it made me become cloudy as to who I was rooting for in the novel.
The level of miscommunication due to reserve, pride or social conventions frustrated me to no end (most likely why I couldn't give this a 5 star rating). One simple statement or question could have saved all people involved a great deal of suffering and heartache. Sacrifice and martyrdom was also a major theme in the book, as well, which I sometimes appreciate, but I think it was a bit overdone in this particular story.
Parts of the story upset me a good deal and I could barely get through some chapters fast enough. Though, I do feel like they were integral to the story and to why Helen had to leave her husband. One of my favorite classics from this time period, but definitely not as fun or lighthearted in tone as the novels of Jane Austen. Even though I had a number of issues with the novel, I couldn't help but like it and I do want to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again.
(SPOILER ALERT: I almost wish that Helen had connected with Mr. Hargrave at the end. I felt that he was always there to save or support her and tried so hard to be a dear friend. Even after Gilbert showed so much violence against Helen's brother, she still chose him and that confused me. I had more sympathy and affection for Mr. Hargrave than for Gilbert Markham. I wonder if anyone else felt that way?)
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's difficult not to compare the Brontë sisters so I won't avoid it. I've read Wuthering Heights and did not like it. I've listened to the audiobook of Jane Eyre and liked it, but hated Rochester. For a book club we chose The Tenant of Wildfell Halland I liked it best.
The version I listened to had two narrators. Alex Jennings for Gilbert Markham and Jenny Agutter for Helen Graham. Both gave an excellent performance.
I'm going to say that Helen is a stronger feminist character than Jane is said to be. I liked Helen more than I did Jane. To go as far as to leave your abusive, philandering husband in those days and stand up for yourself when other men are after you, that takes courage. Especially since Arthur was corrupting their son, so I felt like she did it more to protect Arthur Jr.
Helen is also a good Christian and I loved that quality about her. She returned to her dying husband and even tried to help him repent before his death. He doesn't, and if he were a real person he'd be burning in hell. I know Helen didn't want to think of him there, but he made his choice.
Gilbert Markham, I hated him at first. He's over-bearing and love sick, and I was so angry with him when heharmed Frederick Lawrence. (Helen's brother). Lawrence was possibly dying and he wouldn't go apologize. But after reading Helen's account and he did apologize, he took a turn for he better and I did not hate him after that. I didn't love him, but I didn't hate him.
Overall, it is long...and a bit repetitive, but it is very poetic and a good story.
4 out of 5 Letters.
Maybe I'll give Wuthering Heights another chance one day. My sister said she read it like a dark comedy. Maybe that would help.
Memorable quotes
It cost more to redeem their souls- it cost the blood of an incarnate God, perfect and sinless in Himself, to redeem us from the bondage of the evil one.
"In the first place, I don't believe you," answered I. "In the second, if you will be such a fool, I can't hinder it."
“When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone: there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection, that though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least, will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but, in my private opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result.”
“You may think it all very fine, Mr. Huntingdon, to amuse yourself with rousing my jealousy; but take care you don't rouse my hate instead. And when you have once extinguished my love, you will find it no easy matter to kindle it again.”
The version I listened to had two narrators. Alex Jennings for Gilbert Markham and Jenny Agutter for Helen Graham. Both gave an excellent performance.
I'm going to say that Helen is a stronger feminist character than Jane is said to be. I liked Helen more than I did Jane. To go as far as to leave your abusive, philandering husband in those days and stand up for yourself when other men are after you, that takes courage. Especially since Arthur was corrupting their son, so I felt like she did it more to protect Arthur Jr.
Helen is also a good Christian and I loved that quality about her. She returned to her dying husband and even tried to help him repent before his death. He doesn't, and if he were a real person he'd be burning in hell. I know Helen didn't want to think of him there, but he made his choice.
Gilbert Markham, I hated him at first. He's over-bearing and love sick, and I was so angry with him when he
Overall, it is long...and a bit repetitive, but it is very poetic and a good story.
4 out of 5 Letters.
Maybe I'll give Wuthering Heights another chance one day. My sister said she read it like a dark comedy. Maybe that would help.
Memorable quotes
It cost more to redeem their souls- it cost the blood of an incarnate God, perfect and sinless in Himself, to redeem us from the bondage of the evil one.
"In the first place, I don't believe you," answered I. "In the second, if you will be such a fool, I can't hinder it."
“When I tell you not to marry without love, I do not advise you to marry for love alone: there are many, many other things to be considered. Keep both heart and hand in your own possession, till you see good reason to part with them; and if such an occasion should never present itself, comfort your mind with this reflection, that though in single life your joys may not be very many, your sorrows, at least, will not be more than you can bear. Marriage may change your circumstances for the better, but, in my private opinion, it is far more likely to produce a contrary result.”
“You may think it all very fine, Mr. Huntingdon, to amuse yourself with rousing my jealousy; but take care you don't rouse my hate instead. And when you have once extinguished my love, you will find it no easy matter to kindle it again.”
I can’t do it anymore. I don’t know why I was trying to force it. I have a really hard time reading about people like Arthur.