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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
The first of Charlotte Brontë's novels is one of a peculier kind in the realm of romance, even when taking the British tradition of romance in account.
The main character, a William Cramsworth, has excellent connections which could supply him with a comfortable living, but since those connections - his uncles - wronged his mother in ways he can't even remember since he was too young at the time and his mother has died, decides to become 'a tradesman'. He thus becomes a clerk for his vain, unkind older brother. A Mr Hunsden, an equally unfriendly but well-meaning figure points out to him that his brother is using him as a slave, and directs Cramsworth to Brussels, where he can go and work as an English teacher (un professeur, hence the title).
In Brussels he is employed at an all boys school. The headmistress of the neighbouring girls school invites him over for a talk and she employs him to teach at her school as well. Cramsworth sorta fancies her, but not outrightly of course because his British blood always retains a temperature far below zero,and when he overhears a private conversation of hers in which she says she doesn't find him attractive whatsoever, his 'love' dissipates completely. Instead, his eye falls upon a Frances Evans Henri, half English, raised in Switzerland, who teaches lace-mending at the school. The headmistress then proceeds to try and remove miss Henri from the school because she is a mean-spirited and jealous woman.
The romance between Cramsworth and Frances is slow, colder than a grave in December and completely devout of passion. The only sputter of fervor erupts when Mr Hunsden and Frances have a dispute over her native Switzerland and he butchers her idolisation of England - she does have an pretty pastoral idea of the country she's never been to.
Despite the lukewarm characters, Cramsworths anything-but-cheerful descriptions of just about everything and anything and the very dilligent marriage he ends up with, this book was an interesting read because it is so a-typical. Cramsworth doesn't end up with some deus-ex-dead-family-member fortune, he and Frances do not get to live out a dreamy, too-good-to-be-true happy ending. Oh sure, they do end up happy. But it's all rather moderate, rather Protestant, unembellished and suitably boring.
The main character, a William Cramsworth, has excellent connections which could supply him with a comfortable living, but since those connections - his uncles - wronged his mother in ways he can't even remember since he was too young at the time and his mother has died, decides to become 'a tradesman'. He thus becomes a clerk for his vain, unkind older brother. A Mr Hunsden, an equally unfriendly but well-meaning figure points out to him that his brother is using him as a slave, and directs Cramsworth to Brussels, where he can go and work as an English teacher (un professeur, hence the title).
In Brussels he is employed at an all boys school. The headmistress of the neighbouring girls school invites him over for a talk and she employs him to teach at her school as well. Cramsworth sorta fancies her, but not outrightly of course because his British blood always retains a temperature far below zero,and when he overhears a private conversation of hers in which she says she doesn't find him attractive whatsoever, his 'love' dissipates completely. Instead, his eye falls upon a Frances Evans Henri, half English, raised in Switzerland, who teaches lace-mending at the school. The headmistress then proceeds to try and remove miss Henri from the school because she is a mean-spirited and jealous woman.
The romance between Cramsworth and Frances is slow, colder than a grave in December and completely devout of passion. The only sputter of fervor erupts when Mr Hunsden and Frances have a dispute over her native Switzerland and he butchers her idolisation of England - she does have an pretty pastoral idea of the country she's never been to.
Despite the lukewarm characters, Cramsworths anything-but-cheerful descriptions of just about everything and anything and the very dilligent marriage he ends up with, this book was an interesting read because it is so a-typical. Cramsworth doesn't end up with some deus-ex-dead-family-member fortune, he and Frances do not get to live out a dreamy, too-good-to-be-true happy ending. Oh sure, they do end up happy. But it's all rather moderate, rather Protestant, unembellished and suitably boring.
The only thing remotely entertaining about this story is the veeery obvious sexual tension between Mr Crimsworth and Mr Hunsden and I don't think I can give Charlotte Brontë credit for that
I love Victorian novels with all my heart but this was really hard to get through, since 90% of it was the "hero" telling me how stupid and bad every other character is based on the shape of their forehead
I love Victorian novels with all my heart but this was really hard to get through, since 90% of it was the "hero" telling me how stupid and bad every other character is based on the shape of their forehead
I love Charlotte Brontes writing. It is one of those books where it almost doesn't matter the story because the writing is what keeps me turning the pages. It is beautiful and lyrical and draws me in.
The professor is probably the most uninteresting plot of one of her novels that I've read - however I absolutely loved it. It is a simple story about a professor and the pupil that will become his wife. I liked reading a Bronte book with a male protagonist. I thought she did a fantastic job of making him feel real and genuine. His student Frances was a great character. She grew in independence and confidence throughout the book.
I think the simplicity of the story was perfect though. I felt completely satisfied with the whole book. The ending was beautiful and felt complete. And thankfully everyone was happy, satisfied; it showed years into their future, Frances and Edward growing together and loving each other more as time passed.
The professor is probably the most uninteresting plot of one of her novels that I've read - however I absolutely loved it. It is a simple story about a professor and the pupil that will become his wife. I liked reading a Bronte book with a male protagonist. I thought she did a fantastic job of making him feel real and genuine. His student Frances was a great character. She grew in independence and confidence throughout the book.
I think the simplicity of the story was perfect though. I felt completely satisfied with the whole book. The ending was beautiful and felt complete. And thankfully everyone was happy, satisfied; it showed years into their future, Frances and Edward growing together and loving each other more as time passed.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
I actually can’t stand William Crimsworth.
Long live the average joe…
Feel like ms. charlotte brontë wrote this book to expound on the importance of hard work, and to impress other writers with the need to write real characters - des personnages qui ne sont pas extraordinaires. Elle demande plus de romans avec des mrs et madames tous le monde. Personnellement, j’aurais aimé qu’elle écrit un roman sur Zoraide ou Hunsden. Ces personnages mon marqués puisqu’ils ont des traits peu communs - ils sont tous les deux complexes et je ne suis pas sur de les comprendre. J’aurais préféré qu’elle écrive en grand détails sur leurs motivations, leurs valeurs et leurs pensées.
Brontë sr really loves to write novels about educators who stick to their principles (à la jane eyre). What kind of depravity was she so tired of witnessing ? Was she a teacher’s pet? On my way to her wikipedia page right now.
will not even touch on the fact that this is a student teacher romance, it was too bizarre for me to enjoy.
Feel like ms. charlotte brontë wrote this book to expound on the importance of hard work, and to impress other writers with the need to write real characters - des personnages qui ne sont pas extraordinaires. Elle demande plus de romans avec des mrs et madames tous le monde. Personnellement, j’aurais aimé qu’elle écrit un roman sur Zoraide ou Hunsden. Ces personnages mon marqués puisqu’ils ont des traits peu communs - ils sont tous les deux complexes et je ne suis pas sur de les comprendre. J’aurais préféré qu’elle écrive en grand détails sur leurs motivations, leurs valeurs et leurs pensées.
Brontë sr really loves to write novels about educators who stick to their principles (à la jane eyre). What kind of depravity was she so tired of witnessing ? Was she a teacher’s pet? On my way to her wikipedia page right now.
will not even touch on the fact that this is a student teacher romance, it was too bizarre for me to enjoy.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Much less gripping than other books of this age. I felt little for the characters and never felt engaged by the plot.