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pk1 's review for:
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
by Anne Brontë
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After reading Jane Eyre and not being impressed and so despising Wuthering Heights I didn't finish it, I thought I'd give the last sister a chance, and boy am I glad I did. I can not believe how progressive this story is. Written in 1848, Anne perfectly captures the dangers of an abusive relationship and reconciles it with the most determined heroine I've come across yet - in other classics and even contemporary novels. Helen don't need no man, and once she realizes she can't help her husband, or herself by staying with him, she leaves him! And good for her! Even today, abuse in relationships is not talked of enough, which goes to show how much we still haven't progressed, granted women can now get a divorce, live by themselves, and work for their living, abuse is not talked of widely. This is an important story for shedding light on how a seemingly good relationship can turn sour fast, and demonstrating that you can get out of it.
I only give it 3.5 stars, because the beginning and ending dragged for me, but Helen's diary is so powerful, it compelled me to read it. I appreciate this story more for it's themes and writing than the structure and characterization.
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Update of 12/2019:
I don’t know what I was smoking the first time I read this to only give it 3 stars. This is a 5 star, class act kinda story. (Honestly, I may not have understood everything on the first reading.) Helen is a bad ass bitch. Yes, she can be preachy at times, but this was written in 1848. Y’all gotta take historical context into consideration. This novel is groundbreaking. I picked up more on the nuances on this re-read. The imagery is fantastic, the writing, I could picture everything. I also enjoy that this is more in the vein of realism. I did not enjoy Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre because they just didn’t seem...plausible. Anne Bronte came out bold trying to make a statement. I can only imagine the public’s first reaction to this story. It’s the 21st century and I’M shook. It’s so empathetic, it makes me wonder if Anne had an abusive marriage like Helen. I mean, people weren’t necessarily talking about good ol’ alcoholism, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse, neglect, and affairs like this in the
1840s. Heck, we still don’t talk much about abusive relationships. Anne was truly ahead of her time. It’s a shame it’s only just now become popular/being read. I imagine this book could have been very helpful for women back in her time.
I only give it 3.5 stars, because the beginning and ending dragged for me, but Helen's diary is so powerful, it compelled me to read it. I appreciate this story more for it's themes and writing than the structure and characterization.
******************************************************
Update of 12/2019:
I don’t know what I was smoking the first time I read this to only give it 3 stars. This is a 5 star, class act kinda story. (Honestly, I may not have understood everything on the first reading.) Helen is a bad ass bitch. Yes, she can be preachy at times, but this was written in 1848. Y’all gotta take historical context into consideration. This novel is groundbreaking. I picked up more on the nuances on this re-read. The imagery is fantastic, the writing, I could picture everything. I also enjoy that this is more in the vein of realism. I did not enjoy Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre because they just didn’t seem...plausible. Anne Bronte came out bold trying to make a statement. I can only imagine the public’s first reaction to this story. It’s the 21st century and I’M shook. It’s so empathetic, it makes me wonder if Anne had an abusive marriage like Helen. I mean, people weren’t necessarily talking about good ol’ alcoholism, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse, neglect, and affairs like this in the
1840s. Heck, we still don’t talk much about abusive relationships. Anne was truly ahead of her time. It’s a shame it’s only just now become popular/being read. I imagine this book could have been very helpful for women back in her time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual harassment