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pris_asagiri 's review for:
Villette
by Charlotte Brontë
Let me first get this off my chest: I'm not a fan of Charlotte Brontë. And while I acknowledge a re-read is required, I loathe Jane Eyre. That said, I was quite pleased by the readability of this book. Lucy Snowe is a much more complex and interesting character. Someone who still has the moral fortitude of Jane Eyre, but much more sensible and perhaps "worldliness". Things may happen to Lucy, but only those that she cannot control. Let it also be said, this is a lady who takes no guff from no one.
Unfortunately, I felt this story went off the rails towards the end. What could have been easily told in 300 pages, was stretched thin to almost 600. I found the last half of the book exceedingly predictable and the last third a moralizing sermon on the Catholic vs Protestant war that most Americans can't really comprehend. That said, Brontë at least seems to know her stuff and I felt her comments were grounded in historical fact and not romanticized religious tracts.
I also learned something. While I know about the Punch and Judy show, I didn't really comprehend this was a show based on something much older. Brontë references "Polichinelle" who is Punch of Punch and Judy. I hadn't realized this show dates back to the 1800s.
Also, it tickled me to see Rosinante of Don Quixote fame being referenced. I appreciated that Brontë was well read to make such remarks.
Overall, I am realizing this just isn't my favorite century for female authors. I find the topics tedious and the women frustrating. And while I can appreciate the setting and the century, it doesn't make it any easier to like or enjoy. Perhaps this story has been told one too many times and thus it feels quite stale.
I did find it interesting that I felt there were some Dickensian moments, which makes me wonder who influenced who or if it was simply the era and similar thinking?
Lastly, I do want to comment on the amount of French passages in this story. If you do not speak French or are not familiar with it, I would recommend an edition with translated footnotes. I don't think your understanding will be impeded if you don't have any translations, but your enjoyment of it may be greatly reduced. I found this edition to have excellent notes with regards to the language issues and feel my enjoyment was definitely enhanced because of them.
If you're looking to ease into the classics, this may be a good one to start with.
Unfortunately, I felt this story went off the rails towards the end. What could have been easily told in 300 pages, was stretched thin to almost 600. I found the last half of the book exceedingly predictable and the last third a moralizing sermon on the Catholic vs Protestant war that most Americans can't really comprehend. That said, Brontë at least seems to know her stuff and I felt her comments were grounded in historical fact and not romanticized religious tracts.
I also learned something. While I know about the Punch and Judy show, I didn't really comprehend this was a show based on something much older. Brontë references "Polichinelle" who is Punch of Punch and Judy. I hadn't realized this show dates back to the 1800s.
Also, it tickled me to see Rosinante of Don Quixote fame being referenced. I appreciated that Brontë was well read to make such remarks.
Overall, I am realizing this just isn't my favorite century for female authors. I find the topics tedious and the women frustrating. And while I can appreciate the setting and the century, it doesn't make it any easier to like or enjoy. Perhaps this story has been told one too many times and thus it feels quite stale.
I did find it interesting that I felt there were some Dickensian moments, which makes me wonder who influenced who or if it was simply the era and similar thinking?
Lastly, I do want to comment on the amount of French passages in this story. If you do not speak French or are not familiar with it, I would recommend an edition with translated footnotes. I don't think your understanding will be impeded if you don't have any translations, but your enjoyment of it may be greatly reduced. I found this edition to have excellent notes with regards to the language issues and feel my enjoyment was definitely enhanced because of them.
If you're looking to ease into the classics, this may be a good one to start with.