Emily May’s review of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall > Likes and Comments
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This may be my favorite Bronte book. I hope you'll like it!
I hope so too! I have an obsession with the Brontes so it's really bad that I haven't read this yet :/
Emily May wrote: "I hope so too! I have an obsession with the Brontes so it's really bad that I haven't read this yet :/"
The mini-series is quite good too. It stars Toby Stephens, who was also Mr Rochester in the "Jane Eyre" series. I didn't like the new "Jane Eyre" movie at all, unfortunately.
I hope you do read this! I've just finished, so I'm still all moony about it, but I think this might be my favorite Brontë :) I'll have to reread Villette and Wuthering Heights to be sure
The mention of your currently read book just made me discover the penguin clothbound classics....wow they are absolutely beautiful! .....I might just have written an email to my bookstore to order some of them for me....ups ;-)
Jules wrote: "The mention of your currently read book just made me discover the penguin clothbound classics....wow they are absolutely beautiful! .....I might just have written an email to my bookstore to order ..."
Aren't they just stunning? I am obsessed with them!
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ wrote: "I might just have made a list of those I want *hides* they're so beautiful!"
I started by making a wish list of the ones I wanted and now I just want them all. They are so beautiful that I've convinced myself I need to own books I had no intention of reading before >.<
I think Anne was overshadowed but she writes about something that wasn't talked about and still isn't always talked about. This thread has made me want to re-read it. And I have the mini-series too!
Thats the review I was looking for to make my decision to read TTOWH. Thank you, Emily for in depth reviews ☺
Oooh putting this on my list!!!!
Love the way you give insights into the book that I've not read elsewhere. I was brought up near Haworth too, and interesting how the Brontes are often spoken of collectively. I think the way they spoke about the female condition at the time and realities in often brutally honest ways is what makes them always relevant. Characters not likeable and yet we follow them. This has made me want to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again. And Agnes Grey, which I haven't read. Have you?
I'm currently reading this one at the moment as my old boss recommended it as the most 'feminist' of the Bronte books. I read Jane Eyre last year for the first time and really enjoyed it. I have to say I agree with all your points.
Ruth wrote: "Love the way you give insights into the book that I've not read elsewhere. I was brought up near Haworth too, and interesting how the Brontes are often spoken of collectively. I think the way they ..."
Thank you :) I often wonder if it is easy to speak about the Brontes collectively because a lot of their juvenilia was collaborative, and maybe this bleeds across into their separate adult works. I haven't read Agnes Grey, though everyone who has says this is the far superior book. But I will probably have to check it out someday.
Think you've hit the nail on the head. And they are so different, as people and their novels. But, they are all ahead of their time, and speak about the constraints of women at the time. Think everyone has their favourite Bronte too. I haven't read Agnes Grey either. It's on the shelf downstairs though, so maybe it's time to take her out. Add to the pile.
I really enjoyed this one as well. It’s been a while since I read it and now your beautiful review has made me want to reread it again! I’m also obsessed with the Penguin clothbound classics, ever since I received The Picture of Dorian Gray as a present XD
Loved this book: the descriptive passages about the drunkenness, the slovenly behaviour and the eventual *spoiler* death were harrowing and deeply moving. The Bronte sisters have written books that remain timeless and I find them far more accessible than Jane Austen. I find Austen frivolous in comparison now
Beautifulitlly written Emily May!! Now I want to read this book more than ever!
Kellie wrote: "Beautifulitlly written Emily May!! Now I want to read this book more than ever!"
Thank you, Kellie :)
I have always loved Wuthering Heights, and never been a huge Jane Eyre fan. I finally read this one and loved it. Never hearing much of this book over the other two mentioned here, I was thoroughly surprised.
im shocked by how easy it is to read too, deserves more hype
I actually preferred Agnes Grey, while I enjoyed this one, there was something that really hooked me to the governess story. Curious to know what you all think if you’ve read both!
And Emily, I share your thoughts, and also found Helen quite insufferable in her piousness and self-righteousness. I am a big Jane Austen fan, but I have to say the Brontes sisters do something that is truly incredible for their time - talking plainly about the hardships of being a woman, especially lower class like in Agnes Grey, having very limited options, suffering abuses, and society’s judgement. I want to read Jane Eyre again next, and Villette (first time).
This is a book intended to warn young women of the era against getting into abusive marriages which they would barely be able to escape. Alcoholism and abuse are not to be sneered at, they are still causing violence and deaths against women to this day. This book was designed to be enjoyed as lighthearted entertainment, as you seem to disrespectfully have treated it. Helen was a victim of abuse who escaped, she was not someone who deserves to be mocked for sanctimony. What an awful, victim-blaming review this was. I’m glad you “enjoyed” the book but, I’m sorry, you just… didn’t GET it, at all.
Lovely review, Emily May. You clearly expressed some of the same impressions and feelings I wasn’t able to find words for. The way the Brontë sisters write immerses you in their world.
I’m not sure why you sneer at people who are opposed to alcoholism. There’s so may people’s whose lives have been ruined by addiction.
I never viewed Helen as self righteous, she had a savior complex, yes, but I found her to be a wonderful role model and her faith was her anchor and she was brave person
Tried to start ir after a Jane Eyre, couldn’t finish it because I thought it was so annoying 🥹
Maybe in future I’ll try it again
Is alcoholism not still a bad thing? Confused by your poking fun at the concept. Domestic abuse driven by inebriation remains bad in the 21st century.
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Malia
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Aug 29, 2013 06:01AM
This may be my favorite Bronte book. I hope you'll like it!
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I hope so too! I have an obsession with the Brontes so it's really bad that I haven't read this yet :/
Emily May wrote: "I hope so too! I have an obsession with the Brontes so it's really bad that I haven't read this yet :/"The mini-series is quite good too. It stars Toby Stephens, who was also Mr Rochester in the "Jane Eyre" series. I didn't like the new "Jane Eyre" movie at all, unfortunately.
I hope you do read this! I've just finished, so I'm still all moony about it, but I think this might be my favorite Brontë :) I'll have to reread Villette and Wuthering Heights to be sure
The mention of your currently read book just made me discover the penguin clothbound classics....wow they are absolutely beautiful! .....I might just have written an email to my bookstore to order some of them for me....ups ;-)
Jules wrote: "The mention of your currently read book just made me discover the penguin clothbound classics....wow they are absolutely beautiful! .....I might just have written an email to my bookstore to order ..."Aren't they just stunning? I am obsessed with them!
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘ wrote: "I might just have made a list of those I want *hides* they're so beautiful!"I started by making a wish list of the ones I wanted and now I just want them all. They are so beautiful that I've convinced myself I need to own books I had no intention of reading before >.<
I think Anne was overshadowed but she writes about something that wasn't talked about and still isn't always talked about. This thread has made me want to re-read it. And I have the mini-series too!
Thats the review I was looking for to make my decision to read TTOWH. Thank you, Emily for in depth reviews ☺
Oooh putting this on my list!!!!
Love the way you give insights into the book that I've not read elsewhere. I was brought up near Haworth too, and interesting how the Brontes are often spoken of collectively. I think the way they spoke about the female condition at the time and realities in often brutally honest ways is what makes them always relevant. Characters not likeable and yet we follow them. This has made me want to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again. And Agnes Grey, which I haven't read. Have you?
I'm currently reading this one at the moment as my old boss recommended it as the most 'feminist' of the Bronte books. I read Jane Eyre last year for the first time and really enjoyed it. I have to say I agree with all your points.
Ruth wrote: "Love the way you give insights into the book that I've not read elsewhere. I was brought up near Haworth too, and interesting how the Brontes are often spoken of collectively. I think the way they ..."Thank you :) I often wonder if it is easy to speak about the Brontes collectively because a lot of their juvenilia was collaborative, and maybe this bleeds across into their separate adult works. I haven't read Agnes Grey, though everyone who has says this is the far superior book. But I will probably have to check it out someday.
Think you've hit the nail on the head. And they are so different, as people and their novels. But, they are all ahead of their time, and speak about the constraints of women at the time. Think everyone has their favourite Bronte too. I haven't read Agnes Grey either. It's on the shelf downstairs though, so maybe it's time to take her out. Add to the pile.
I really enjoyed this one as well. It’s been a while since I read it and now your beautiful review has made me want to reread it again! I’m also obsessed with the Penguin clothbound classics, ever since I received The Picture of Dorian Gray as a present XD
Loved this book: the descriptive passages about the drunkenness, the slovenly behaviour and the eventual *spoiler* death were harrowing and deeply moving. The Bronte sisters have written books that remain timeless and I find them far more accessible than Jane Austen. I find Austen frivolous in comparison now
Beautifulitlly written Emily May!! Now I want to read this book more than ever!
Kellie wrote: "Beautifulitlly written Emily May!! Now I want to read this book more than ever!"Thank you, Kellie :)
I have always loved Wuthering Heights, and never been a huge Jane Eyre fan. I finally read this one and loved it. Never hearing much of this book over the other two mentioned here, I was thoroughly surprised.
im shocked by how easy it is to read too, deserves more hype
I actually preferred Agnes Grey, while I enjoyed this one, there was something that really hooked me to the governess story. Curious to know what you all think if you’ve read both!And Emily, I share your thoughts, and also found Helen quite insufferable in her piousness and self-righteousness. I am a big Jane Austen fan, but I have to say the Brontes sisters do something that is truly incredible for their time - talking plainly about the hardships of being a woman, especially lower class like in Agnes Grey, having very limited options, suffering abuses, and society’s judgement. I want to read Jane Eyre again next, and Villette (first time).
This is a book intended to warn young women of the era against getting into abusive marriages which they would barely be able to escape. Alcoholism and abuse are not to be sneered at, they are still causing violence and deaths against women to this day. This book was designed to be enjoyed as lighthearted entertainment, as you seem to disrespectfully have treated it. Helen was a victim of abuse who escaped, she was not someone who deserves to be mocked for sanctimony. What an awful, victim-blaming review this was. I’m glad you “enjoyed” the book but, I’m sorry, you just… didn’t GET it, at all.
Lovely review, Emily May. You clearly expressed some of the same impressions and feelings I wasn’t able to find words for. The way the Brontë sisters write immerses you in their world.
I’m not sure why you sneer at people who are opposed to alcoholism. There’s so may people’s whose lives have been ruined by addiction.
I never viewed Helen as self righteous, she had a savior complex, yes, but I found her to be a wonderful role model and her faith was her anchor and she was brave person
Tried to start ir after a Jane Eyre, couldn’t finish it because I thought it was so annoying 🥹Maybe in future I’ll try it again
Is alcoholism not still a bad thing? Confused by your poking fun at the concept. Domestic abuse driven by inebriation remains bad in the 21st century.