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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Very interesting righteous judgmental novel on the dualing states of being rich and alcoholic and proud of it vs. "it is well for me that I am doing my duty," said I, with a bitterness I could not repress, "for it is the only comfort I have; and the satisfaction of my own conscience, it seems, is the only reward I need look for!". Page 428.
Actually, I agreed with the book's message on all counts. Alcoholism, money, patriarchal-powered legal systems, powerless women and children, and false morality can lead to officially sanctioned slavery and depravity and suffering under the name of Family Privacy and Christian Values. The problem with the book itself was that every character and situation for 500 pages follow similar victims and victimizers patterns. The outrage is legitimate, but the single note scream of agony is wearing on the nerves. I was happy to see characters such as nice sober men and guys who reformed, as well as depraved rich women among the depraved men, which help open up the plot.
Another issue for me was in character development. While the writer Charles Dickens provides some realistic psychological underpinnings for his characters, there was very little provided here by Bronte other than that of Free Will or Free Choice gained once her characters are grown into adults, though a strong case was made through little Arthur that teaching a child of three to swear, drink alcohol and partake of sexual games was the main reason for wild mean young men.
Still, an astute novel.
Actually, I agreed with the book's message on all counts. Alcoholism, money, patriarchal-powered legal systems, powerless women and children, and false morality can lead to officially sanctioned slavery and depravity and suffering under the name of Family Privacy and Christian Values. The problem with the book itself was that every character and situation for 500 pages follow similar victims and victimizers patterns. The outrage is legitimate, but the single note scream of agony is wearing on the nerves. I was happy to see characters such as nice sober men and guys who reformed, as well as depraved rich women among the depraved men, which help open up the plot.
Another issue for me was in character development. While the writer Charles Dickens provides some realistic psychological underpinnings for his characters, there was very little provided here by Bronte other than that of Free Will or Free Choice gained once her characters are grown into adults, though a strong case was made through little Arthur that teaching a child of three to swear, drink alcohol and partake of sexual games was the main reason for wild mean young men.
Still, an astute novel.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
I was initially hesitant to give this a full five stars purely because I didn't find Mr. Markham's narration as compelling or interesting as Helen's later on, therefore the beginning felt a little slow to get through - however, it still managed to keep my attention and the persevering leads to such a satisfying payoff, and Helen's narration is riveting, therefore it has fully earned those five stars from me!
I'm going to be honest, I think out of all the Brontë novels I've read thus far, this is by FAR my favourite one! I was really interested in the slow, humdrum, domestic setting of the novel, it felt like reading a novelisation of one of my favourite soap operas, which (as it turns out!) appeals to me greatly! As I said, it took a while for me to truly feel stuck in, but Helen's story struck such a vivid chord with me, and Anne has such a way with words, and an ability to write characters and stories that feel so vivid and real. I felt every moment of her slow, steady disillusionment with the one she loved deteriorating rapidly into an alcoholic abuser, and I held my breath as I watched her slowly, but surely, regain her freedom in a world where it was so frowned upon for a woman to do so - I can see why this is deemed one of the first truly feminist novels - and escape with her son to start a new life. This is, tragically, still a story that many women in the world can relate to, and I think it has the ability to empower and offer strength and hope.
All in all, I would 100% read this again in the future! I enjoyed it deeply, and if asked to recommend a Brontë novel to a first-time classics reader, this might be my go-to for that from now on!
I'm going to be honest, I think out of all the Brontë novels I've read thus far, this is by FAR my favourite one! I was really interested in the slow, humdrum, domestic setting of the novel, it felt like reading a novelisation of one of my favourite soap operas, which (as it turns out!) appeals to me greatly! As I said, it took a while for me to truly feel stuck in, but Helen's story struck such a vivid chord with me, and Anne has such a way with words, and an ability to write characters and stories that feel so vivid and real. I felt every moment of her slow, steady disillusionment with the one she loved deteriorating rapidly into an alcoholic abuser, and I held my breath as I watched her slowly, but surely, regain her freedom in a world where it was so frowned upon for a woman to do so - I can see why this is deemed one of the first truly feminist novels - and escape with her son to start a new life. This is, tragically, still a story that many women in the world can relate to, and I think it has the ability to empower and offer strength and hope.
All in all, I would 100% read this again in the future! I enjoyed it deeply, and if asked to recommend a Brontë novel to a first-time classics reader, this might be my go-to for that from now on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity
Considering how I didn't have very high hopes for this novel (having read Wuthering Heights and enjoying it very little), I actually liked this a lot. I found myself very invested in the lives of the two main characters and really rooting for them. The plot was also very compelling despite the fact that very little actually happened as the novel was largely about domestic life. If you like Jane Eyre I highly recommend picking this one up
It goes without saying that I think this book is one of the best ever written in English, and I'll happily identify myself as a Brontë fangirl with a bias for Anne (can we get the Brontë fandom running like K-Pop fandoms lmao???) so I'm not going to go on and on about it.
I will note that this was my first time reading the 1996 Penguin edition and it did not disappoint–the editorial work is excellent and the footnotes are both useful and entertaining! If you haven't read the book yet this edition is definitely the right one to start with. Thank you Stevie Davies very cool.
I will note that this was my first time reading the 1996 Penguin edition and it did not disappoint–the editorial work is excellent and the footnotes are both useful and entertaining! If you haven't read the book yet this edition is definitely the right one to start with. Thank you Stevie Davies very cool.
I read this book 7 years ago and just casually remembered how amazing it is and so read a bunch of reviews which talked about the history and fallout for Anne Bronte and now I love it even more.
Things I remember 7 years later after reading it one time:
1) The spookily similar way that the abusive relationship develops and evolves over time back then compared to what we think of in modern day
2) How it countered two dimensional "marketed/mainstream feminism" with a heavy dose of female autonomy which is the root of what I consider actual feminism - even if the outcome/choice of that autonomy was unexpected (like can we quit it with the female superheroes and focus on creating full, complex characters who aren't just literally strong as if that somehow fixes everything)
3) How it played on the "I'm a Nice Guy" garbage which was apparently around in perfect clarity in the 19th century
Can't believe I don't own a copy of this. I think I need to.
Things I remember 7 years later after reading it one time:
1) The spookily similar way that the abusive relationship develops and evolves over time back then compared to what we think of in modern day
2) How it countered two dimensional "marketed/mainstream feminism" with a heavy dose of female autonomy which is the root of what I consider actual feminism - even if the outcome/choice of that autonomy was unexpected (like can we quit it with the female superheroes and focus on creating full, complex characters who aren't just literally strong as if that somehow fixes everything)
3) How it played on the "I'm a Nice Guy" garbage which was apparently around in perfect clarity in the 19th century
Can't believe I don't own a copy of this. I think I need to.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
I listened to the Blackstone Publishing audiobook read by Alex Jennings and Jenny Agutter.
This is the third novel written by the Brontë sisters that I have listened to and I have truly enjoyed each dark, mysterious, heart-wrenching, and masterfully written story.
This story took some getting used to for me, the beginning was quite slow as you were introduced to the characters and the setting. As always with older novels, the writing style can be difficult muddle through if you're not used to it, which is why I usually tend to listen to audiobooks of classics rather than try to make my ADHD brain stay focused long enough to read the physical book.
But you are rewarded for your perseverance with characters so vivid and real that you can reach out to touch them. The environment is so richly described that you can feel the bite of the winter's frost on your cheek, see the stars before they are hidden behind wisps of cloud, and smell the fields of hay and heather as you walk beside Mr. Markham on his quest to catch a glimpse of the elusive Mrs. Graham.
There were so many parts of this book that had me genuinely gasping out loud, feeling true fear for the fate of the characters, and making my heart ache at the desperate longing that could not be satisfied.
This will definitely not be my last book that I read by the brilliant Brontë sisters, I have found my new favorite classical authors ❤️
This is the third novel written by the Brontë sisters that I have listened to and I have truly enjoyed each dark, mysterious, heart-wrenching, and masterfully written story.
This story took some getting used to for me, the beginning was quite slow as you were introduced to the characters and the setting. As always with older novels, the writing style can be difficult muddle through if you're not used to it, which is why I usually tend to listen to audiobooks of classics rather than try to make my ADHD brain stay focused long enough to read the physical book.
But you are rewarded for your perseverance with characters so vivid and real that you can reach out to touch them. The environment is so richly described that you can feel the bite of the winter's frost on your cheek, see the stars before they are hidden behind wisps of cloud, and smell the fields of hay and heather as you walk beside Mr. Markham on his quest to catch a glimpse of the elusive Mrs. Graham.
There were so many parts of this book that had me genuinely gasping out loud, feeling true fear for the fate of the characters, and making my heart ache at the desperate longing that could not be satisfied.
This will definitely not be my last book that I read by the brilliant Brontë sisters, I have found my new favorite classical authors ❤️