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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I actually enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. I usually avoid Bronte/Austen books because the type of writing doesn't really appeal to me. However, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall presented a far more likable story than I expected. I managed to read the majority of it in 2 days, and it's rare I get through such an old book so fast!
I think what really stood out was the voice of Helen Huntingdon. She provide direction and interest to the story, mainly in her narrative in the middle of the book, cataloguing her marriage and time before arriving at Wildfell Hall. She is frequently blunt and coarse about the social expectations and views on women & men of the period, criticising society's establishment of matrimony and love. Frequently guiding other female characters, her wisdom, although caused by heartbreak and hardship, really shines through in the narrative. I doubt the novel would have been so readable if it wasn't for her opinions.
I did find the parts with Gilbert rather lackluster compared to Helen's accounts, but it does provide a nice framing for the story. The epistolary style combines story and judgement, better forming both Helen and Gilbert Markham than if it was written in a simple third person narrative.
Nevertheless, this book definitely surprised me. I believe I am due to read Mansfield Park later in the semester, and I look forward to hopefully comparing it to this!
Note: I may update this review after my lecture/seminar on Monday. Next up in my Victorian Lit module is The Mill on the Floss!
I think what really stood out was the voice of Helen Huntingdon. She provide direction and interest to the story, mainly in her narrative in the middle of the book, cataloguing her marriage and time before arriving at Wildfell Hall. She is frequently blunt and coarse about the social expectations and views on women & men of the period, criticising society's establishment of matrimony and love. Frequently guiding other female characters, her wisdom, although caused by heartbreak and hardship, really shines through in the narrative. I doubt the novel would have been so readable if it wasn't for her opinions.
I did find the parts with Gilbert rather lackluster compared to Helen's accounts, but it does provide a nice framing for the story. The epistolary style combines story and judgement, better forming both Helen and Gilbert Markham than if it was written in a simple third person narrative.
Nevertheless, this book definitely surprised me. I believe I am due to read Mansfield Park later in the semester, and I look forward to hopefully comparing it to this!
Note: I may update this review after my lecture/seminar on Monday. Next up in my Victorian Lit module is The Mill on the Floss!
Having just read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall consecutively, I can definitely say that JE and TToWH are my two favorite. I liked WH and I appreciate it's contribution to literature and the Women's Right's movement but I feel like the other two are a step above it in terms of quality and enjoyment. My only real knock on TToWH is the extreme religiosity of Helen, but given the era this book was written, it is only to be expected. At some point down the road I may read Anne and Charlotte's other novels. We'll see.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
inspiring
medium-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
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whether she cook or she slayed, we might never know. The only fact is she did one, possibly both
(Rachel on a besoin de + de gens comme toi, Markham tu es un abruti)
(Rachel on a besoin de + de gens comme toi, Markham tu es un abruti)
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexism, Religious bigotry
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence