Reviews

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

tortoasa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

al27caro's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kittykornerlibrarian's review

5.0

Anne Bronte uses romantic language and diction to describe realistic plot elements in this diary-within-a-letter-within-a-book. The narrator, Gilbert Markham, is a gentleman farmer who is intrigued by a new neighbor, Mrs. Graham, who introduces herself as a widow. She is a landscape and portrait painter as well as the mother of Arthur, a boy of about five years. We hear Gilbert's story through his voice as he writes to a close relative; and he uses Mrs. Graham's journal to detail the story that she wishes him to know about her dark past. This book tells of women's struggle for survival in the framework of a misogynistic society that lets them know in clear terms that, no matter who they are or what they do, it is the wrong thing. The book speaks to the struggles of women everywhere. I will read it again soon.

karapatdapat's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"Men" (derogatory)

sophiefrancoiselucie's review against another edition

5.0

I'm so sad I finished this book. Did it really have to end? I think I could read Gilbert Markham's extensive letters for the rest of my life. WHAT A MAN. He made me cry with laughter - quite literally, and he was such a great character overall. I never got mad at him for his decisions, and always understood him - which is really rare. And Helen Graham is amazing. Though I preferred to read about her than to read her writings, she reminded me a lot of Jane Eyre. She's just as strong-willed and good as Jane; some of her decisions left me speechless for they were so true to her principles but so opposite to what anyone would have done. The way little Arthur was dealt with was so tender and sweet, I think Anne Brontë's love for children transpires throughout the novel. But what I really enjoyed with this book is that I see it as an episode of 'Any classic love story - what they've become'. This is what happens after the young and wild and determined young heroine decides to go against her old and boring and dull aunt, and to marry the charming man she met and almost instantly fell in love with. And not everything is as charming and sweet after they're married. Spoiler alert kids: you need to take time to really know someone before shouting at the world that you're madly in love, sometimes people hide their true nature - whether they want it or not, and it only shows up afterwards, once you're married and with children - so too late basically. However real the depiction of men's debaucheries feel in this book, be aware that it is VERY Victorian. Moral values, love of God, and propriety are all very present, but not in a boring way. Just read this. I found it surprising that Anne's novels were overshadowed that much by her sisters', when I read this one. Seriously, it is absolutely amazing. I wish it were a thousand pages long.

bookandscone's review

5.0

And so I've completed my re-read of this masterpiece

anndeefonz's review

4.0

I really liked this story, especially as an audiobook. Part of it is read by Jenny Agutter, who also narrates Call the Midwife, and who was fantastic.
My only complaint was the characters weren't particularly believable. It's hard to believe Helen is such a saint and Arthur such a villain. I also wasn't deeply invested in the love story between Helen and Mr. Markham. I just didn't find him very likable.
But overall, I love the writing style and enjoy reading classics from this era. They don't write books like this anymore!

bambrosio's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

tete1030's review against another edition

4.0

Este livro teria tido cinco estrelas se não fosse a existência do Gilbert Markham e eu não tivesse de ter lido metade da história a partir do ponto de vista da sua irritante pessoa.

joella82's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Beautiful