Reviews

First things first-where is all the Gilbert hate? This book is nearly perfect in its feminist rally cry; the subservience women are expected to maintain in marriage is equal to that of imprisonment and a woman has/should have the RIGHT to leave her husband for any number of reasons. Bronte is so smart in her creation of Helen, a woman who is so pious and devoted that readers of the time couldn't possibly label her incorrectly as the villain. Instead, Bronte focuses on the men and their pattern of mistreating and abusing their wives REGARDLESS of the women's own behavior and treatment of him, a direct challenge of 19th century domestic ideology of feminine moral influence on men. A woman cannot and should not be held responsible for the faults of her partner. If she were still alive today, I believe Ms. Bronte's response to the still popular fantasy of "I can fix him" would be a resounding, "Gurl..no you can't." Her depictions of alcoholism and even domestic violence is told with such transparency that is way before its time. When men don't own you and neglect you in favor of their various addictions, vices, and narcism, all they do is fantasize about owning you and eventually neglecting you. (Hashtag not all men but always men). Now here comes my one criticism-Helen spends most of her time trying to flee the creepy obsessions of a number of desperate men around her and Gilbert is the ultimate creep: stalking her, going through her personal items, assaulting another man out of possessive jealousy, etc. BUT she ends up with him DESPITE her now increased wealth, independence and property ownership?!?! Absolutely not. 4.5 stars!

Side-note: I absolutely ADORE the Bronte sisters! Name a better trio!!

notter's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense 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

4.5

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