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A review by rensuzugamori
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was initially hesitant to give this a full five stars purely because I didn't find Mr. Markham's narration as compelling or interesting as Helen's later on, therefore the beginning felt a little slow to get through - however, it still managed to keep my attention and the persevering leads to such a satisfying payoff, and Helen's narration is riveting, therefore it has fully earned those five stars from me!
I'm going to be honest, I think out of all the Brontë novels I've read thus far, this is by FAR my favourite one! I was really interested in the slow, humdrum, domestic setting of the novel, it felt like reading a novelisation of one of my favourite soap operas, which (as it turns out!) appeals to me greatly! As I said, it took a while for me to truly feel stuck in, but Helen's story struck such a vivid chord with me, and Anne has such a way with words, and an ability to write characters and stories that feel so vivid and real. I felt every moment of her slow, steady disillusionment with the one she loved deteriorating rapidly into an alcoholic abuser, and I held my breath as I watched her slowly, but surely, regain her freedom in a world where it was so frowned upon for a woman to do so - I can see why this is deemed one of the first truly feminist novels - and escape with her son to start a new life. This is, tragically, still a story that many women in the world can relate to, and I think it has the ability to empower and offer strength and hope.
All in all, I would 100% read this again in the future! I enjoyed it deeply, and if asked to recommend a Brontë novel to a first-time classics reader, this might be my go-to for that from now on!
I'm going to be honest, I think out of all the Brontë novels I've read thus far, this is by FAR my favourite one! I was really interested in the slow, humdrum, domestic setting of the novel, it felt like reading a novelisation of one of my favourite soap operas, which (as it turns out!) appeals to me greatly! As I said, it took a while for me to truly feel stuck in, but Helen's story struck such a vivid chord with me, and Anne has such a way with words, and an ability to write characters and stories that feel so vivid and real. I felt every moment of her slow, steady disillusionment with the one she loved deteriorating rapidly into an alcoholic abuser, and I held my breath as I watched her slowly, but surely, regain her freedom in a world where it was so frowned upon for a woman to do so - I can see why this is deemed one of the first truly feminist novels - and escape with her son to start a new life. This is, tragically, still a story that many women in the world can relate to, and I think it has the ability to empower and offer strength and hope.
All in all, I would 100% read this again in the future! I enjoyed it deeply, and if asked to recommend a Brontë novel to a first-time classics reader, this might be my go-to for that from now on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity