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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Two stars for good pacing. Honestly though, these characters are horrible and I have a hard time enjoying horrible people. She's a Bible thumping, self-righteous martyr being chased by an emotionally stunted, potentially violent man-child while she takes care of her slutty, dissapated and cruel husband. Meh.
I found this work fascinating in the way it is written as a letter, manuscript or diary to a friend by the narrator or protagonist of the story Gilbert Markham. The history spans about 20 years, that's not to say when the start was written but the content of the work includes this time frame. The version I have read also includes an introduction and an author's preface which lends some light into the inspiration for some of the characters in the body of the work, that it's highly likely they were based on the brother of Anne Bronte who was a drunkard and user of opiates. Written during the 19th century, as with other literary writings, religion plays a key role in British society. However in this work it is most prominent. Helen, the Tenant of the story, goes into lengthy discourses with the other characters and they are very“preachy” in context. As the drama plays out, a reader is left with the impression that not only is this a passionately written novel but also an examination of the individual conscience.
I'm having a hard time rating this. On one hand, I absolutely hated it. It hinted at a mystery in Helen's background that was kind of almost given a gothic air. Then it went on unrelentingly about the two main characters lives. It started with a male perspective, that I felt was not particularly well done, and then he was given Helen's journals (more on that later), and then it switches back to the male perspective. The male, Gilbert Markham, was high-strung, over-emotional, and almost prissy at times. I liked Helen at first but the longer the story went on, the more she seemed sanctimonious and she tended to nag. She may have been right, but she was always right. It was too much for me.
The thing that actually gave this book some worth to me was that the journals, written from Helen's perspective, actually raised some important issues and would have caused an uproar in 1830. Alcoholism, gambling addiction, adultery, and what was going on behind closed doors in the families.
So historically it has value, but I absolutely tortured myself through the last third of the book. It wasn't what I expected at all and it was about 40% too long. I'm going with one star in case I ever even think about this in the future, but it really did have value.
The thing that actually gave this book some worth to me was that the journals, written from Helen's perspective, actually raised some important issues and would have caused an uproar in 1830. Alcoholism, gambling addiction, adultery, and what was going on behind closed doors in the families.
So historically it has value, but I absolutely tortured myself through the last third of the book. It wasn't what I expected at all and it was about 40% too long. I'm going with one star in case I ever even think about this in the future, but it really did have value.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
I loved this story, there were complex characters, some great villains and a love story. Everything you could expect from a Brontë sister book.
While this book is often compared to Jane Eyre and Wuthering heights, in my opinion this book stood out on it's own.
It tackles alcoholism, marital betrayal, and forgiveness.
A classic read.
While this book is often compared to Jane Eyre and Wuthering heights, in my opinion this book stood out on it's own.
It tackles alcoholism, marital betrayal, and forgiveness.
A classic read.
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so adorably, painfully, frustratingly Hufflepuff. The good folks at The Toast knew what they were about when they sorted Anne Bronte into that esteemed Hogwarts House. This is an interesting book with sporadic plotting and framing, but a worthwhile read, nonetheless. I would definitely choose to spend class time on this over Wuthering Heights ANY DAY.
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-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
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