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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Reading through the reviews I see many who reference this book as one of feminism or that Anne Bronte was a feminist etc... I don't see it that way at all. I loved this book, I enjoyed the characters, but what stood out to me was Helen's genuine virtue, temperance, self-control, unswerving loyalty, and devotion. Her character withstood what many would fold under with a degree of grace that few if any ever attain. Likewise Mr. Markham, for all his faults, showed a stunning degree of self-control, loyalty, and devotion to the one he loved which should be the envy of all men. There are many great lessons in this work that young men and women would do well to heed in this age. Sadly, the deplorable state of Mr. Huntingdon has been writ large in our society today.
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sure this was better than "Agnes Grey", but after reading all of the books by the Brontes I think it's safe to say that Anne's work is my least favourite. I really liked the concept of this story, but it took quite a while before I encountered chapters that I could say I actually enjoyed. Personally, I think I would have liked the story more if it was entirely from Helen's perspective - I found Gilbert to be very annoying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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:
No
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
emotional
sad
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
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is described on Wikipedia as one of the "first sustained feminist novels". If by "feminist", they mean that the protagonist, Helen Graham, is a strong-willed woman with an unshakable faith, with high self-esteem, who is self-reliant, and who doesn't take crap, then I'm all for that. Being a dad to 2 daughters, I hope that they both grow up to exhibit these characteristics that Helen portrays in this story.
This is a story of romance, survival, and learning to stand on one's own feet. It also had a wonderful message about marriage in that couples should of course marry for love and adoration of each other, but you should also marry someone who has similar goals and morals yourself. Arthur Huntingdon's alcoholism is also very effectively drawn out by Bronte. It probably was not talked about very much back then but it was well done and really added to the plot. I even liked Gilbert's rush to stop the wedding near the end! It all just worked for me, and I enjoyed this story immensely.
I've found that some of my favorite novels are ones that have female characters like Helen (Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind also comes to mind as a similar character to Helen). Helen is a female protagonist that is not to be missed.
Anne Bronte probably gets overlooked a little bit by her sisters but Tenant of Wildfell Hall might now be my favorite Bronte novel...
This is a story of romance, survival, and learning to stand on one's own feet. It also had a wonderful message about marriage in that couples should of course marry for love and adoration of each other, but you should also marry someone who has similar goals and morals yourself. Arthur Huntingdon's alcoholism is also very effectively drawn out by Bronte. It probably was not talked about very much back then but it was well done and really added to the plot. I even liked Gilbert's rush to stop the wedding near the end! It all just worked for me, and I enjoyed this story immensely.
I've found that some of my favorite novels are ones that have female characters like Helen (Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind also comes to mind as a similar character to Helen). Helen is a female protagonist that is not to be missed.
Anne Bronte probably gets overlooked a little bit by her sisters but Tenant of Wildfell Hall might now be my favorite Bronte novel...