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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
You have to fall in love with this gutsy, principled, heroine who defies convention to maintain her self respect. Even with the emotional religiously-fuelled melodrama it was still bold stuff for its time. Perhaps that’s why sister Charlotte didn't quite appreciate it as much as it deserved.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can say this because she’s been dead for nearly 200 years but: the least good Brontë.
Coming from someone who is typically not a fan of the Bronte sisters, or of Gothic and Victorian literature in general, I did appreciate this book. I found it more impressive than some of the more widely read Bronte texts.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
I always thought yesterday's troubles seemed so quaint. This book busted than myth for me: the troubles of these people are displayed so realistically that I feel them rather than simply see them. And since my favorite books teach me something new, this book passes that wicket.
My favorite books also include characters that are really interesting. They can be really good, like Mr. Knightley from Jane Austen's Emma, or really bad... just so that they are real, deep, and unique. Helen, the tenant of Wildfell Hall, is such a person. Her goodness under extremely trying circumstances (ones that I would have found hard to imagine as happening to that class of people at that time, as noted in my first paragraph) -- her strength of character -- is definitely an ideal I wish I could live. Yes, I would rank her with Mr. Knightley.
I do like how the tale is told, too... as a series of letters. Writing itself is an important theme all through. If I were constructing an essay about this novel, that's where I'd be rereading and researching.
I will say that sections of this were not "fun" to read... but I found myself looking for excuses to read outside of the times I normally spend reading. I carried this book from place to place rather than picking up the nearest of all the books I'm in the midst of. "Compelling" is more accurate than "enjoyable."
I'd really like to give this book a 5th star, but one episode toward the end of the novel felt a little contrived. I'll not spoil it, but that's why the book gets four and a half stars from me, rather than five.
My favorite books also include characters that are really interesting. They can be really good, like Mr. Knightley from Jane Austen's Emma, or really bad... just so that they are real, deep, and unique. Helen, the tenant of Wildfell Hall, is such a person. Her goodness under extremely trying circumstances (ones that I would have found hard to imagine as happening to that class of people at that time, as noted in my first paragraph) -- her strength of character -- is definitely an ideal I wish I could live. Yes, I would rank her with Mr. Knightley.
I do like how the tale is told, too... as a series of letters. Writing itself is an important theme all through. If I were constructing an essay about this novel, that's where I'd be rereading and researching.
I will say that sections of this were not "fun" to read... but I found myself looking for excuses to read outside of the times I normally spend reading. I carried this book from place to place rather than picking up the nearest of all the books I'm in the midst of. "Compelling" is more accurate than "enjoyable."
I'd really like to give this book a 5th star, but one episode toward the end of the novel felt a little contrived. I'll not spoil it, but that's why the book gets four and a half stars from me, rather than five.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Striking how modern this book feels. The tortuous repetition punctuated by some witty/punchy lines here and there felt fitting for a feminist novel. Yes, it was enraging at times, but I think Anne was quite revolutionary for having the guts to write this. Would say more fun read than Wuthering Heights (with its Bridgerton-like gossip and dramaaa) but also Wuthering Heights has a more intentionally crafted/complex plot.
I have been SLEEPING ON ANNE Y’ALL.
she’s it, shes the Brontë for me. She funny, sarcastic, friggin fearless in both her portrayal of Helen and in her own writing.
I mean when she said “The frame, however, is handsome enough; it will serve for another painting”
I CACKLED
she’s it, shes the Brontë for me. She funny, sarcastic, friggin fearless in both her portrayal of Helen and in her own writing.
I mean when she said “The frame, however, is handsome enough; it will serve for another painting”
I CACKLED
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No