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alorajade's reviews
110 reviews
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
4.0
Where do I begin with Hardy - From the moment I began reading ‘Tess’ it was one that I couldn’t put down. Finishing it for a class (joined late into term) in three days, I found myself compelled to finish Hardy’s novel. One that dabbles with the Fallen Woman and sacrifice, Hardy leaves you utterly speechless with his novel. Highly highly recommend!
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
5.0
As one who has never read a sensationalist novel before, I was thoroughly intrigued with every twist and turn that Collins writes. There were tears welled (yes my own) and anger felt towards certain characters yet for characters as well.
Update: January 2020 I studied this novel in my Victorian Novel course, we engaged with it in the manner of the sensationalist fiction which I quite enjoy. It is interesting to reread the novel and see what I missed before. As an aspiring Victorianist I quite enjoyed this novel!
Update: January 2020 I studied this novel in my Victorian Novel course, we engaged with it in the manner of the sensationalist fiction which I quite enjoy. It is interesting to reread the novel and see what I missed before. As an aspiring Victorianist I quite enjoyed this novel!
Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
4.0
Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s writing left me once again utterly speechless. I found the topics of gender, identity and class to be quite prevalent in this novel. Through the character of Lady Audley herself, an empowerment comes about. Robert Audley is not particularly liked as he seems as I read “lazy” and utterly whiny and boring. I found him to be a bully of sorts.
I wouldn’t necessarily deem it a sensationalist novel, while yes there is a an air of mystery surrounding the novel, I found it to be anti-climactic.
Nevertheless, Braddon’s novel is one I suggest reading.
I wouldn’t necessarily deem it a sensationalist novel, while yes there is a an air of mystery surrounding the novel, I found it to be anti-climactic.
Nevertheless, Braddon’s novel is one I suggest reading.
Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë
4.0
Anne Brontë’s novel depicts the life of a governess in Mid-Victorian Era. Brontë draws upon her own personal experience as a governess and depicts themes of gender, class and of course, romance. Agnes Grey portrayal of the hardships of being a governess and the drama she faces along the road to a happy ending will leave you enthralled. I highly recommend. It was even better than Emily Brontë’s ‘Wuthering Heights’.
Villette by Charlotte Brontë
5.0
Where do I begin with Charlotte Brontë’s Villette? Her writing is fluid and effortless. The depiction of Lucy Snowe is one that I found bits and pieces of myself in. Lucy Snowe is one that you can see the character development clearly. The demonstration of emotions that Lucy goes through and the thoughts really leaves you wondering what is happening within the novel as a whole. Brontë purposefully leaves the reader wondering what happens throughout the entirety of the novel, which adds a touch of mystery (which I liked). I highly recommend!
Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World by Hannah Brencher
4.0
It took me a week and a half to read but I think it’s because I did not want to rush this one. This is the first non Victorian book I’ve read in 2020 and I felt I’ve gained so much knowledge.
The Odd Women by George Gissing
5.0
Gissing takes you on a journey of how women who don’t conform to the societal standards of the latter half of the Victorian Period, use their smarts, stand up for what they believe and deviate between roles of domestic vs non-domestic tradition and marriage. As Rhoda Nunn herself claims “so many odd women” - as the title suggests - meaning the women who do not conform to the societal standards during the Victorian Era and women who don’t necessarily marry. During the narrative (focusing mostly on Rhoda and Monica) the women deal with emotional battles within the realm of love and friendship. Going so far as to question ones own beliefs. Even so, Gissing’s 1893 novel opens up the conversation about The New Woman and what it means to step outside of societies traditional norms. A truly phenomenal novel.