VICTOBER 2025 discussion

Lucy’s challenge: Read a Victorian book with a female main character

What are you planning on reading? Any recommendations?

I'm planning on reading Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell.

looking forward to reading Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell. It also would be fun to choose Cranford, there are so many female characters in it. Love this book, such a warm atmosphere

I just finished John Halifax, Gentleman by Dinah Craik. Absolutely loved it.

I'm planning on reading The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat. It was published in the same year as Dracula, but features a female main character

I'm thinking of reading Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell.

Alina wrote: "I'm planning on reading The Blood of the Vampire by Florence Marryat. It was published in the same year as Dracula, but features a female main character"

Ooh, this sounds very intriguing!

Victober is a great opportunity to get a bunch of referential/secondary reading done, since I'm seriously considering writing my BA thesis on Victorian Lit. I'm thinking something along the lines of women's disability, illness and agency in Victorian Literature, with readings of Dinah Mulock Craik's "Olive" and Wilkie Collins' "Poor Miss Finch". What do you guys think?

I will read Lady Audley's Secret !
so glad to participate to this challenge !! (i'm French btw^^)

I’ll be reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It will be my first Anne Brontë novel!

Josefine wrote: "Victober is a great opportunity to get a bunch of referential/secondary reading done, since I'm seriously considering writing my BA thesis on Victorian Lit. I'm thinking something along the lines o..."

That sounds like a wonderful thesis! Would also recommend for you read Our Mutual Friend for the character of Jenny Wren if you haven't read it yet :)

I'm deciding upon Our Mutual Friend or David Copperfield

i'm reading Our Mutual Friend at the moment so may read Ruth by Elizabeth Gaskell

Katie wrote: "Josefine wrote: "Victober is a great opportunity to get a bunch of referential/secondary reading done, since I'm seriously considering writing my BA thesis on Victorian Lit. I'm thinking something ..."

Thank you! I'll add Our Mutual Friend to my tbr immediately :)

As a die-hard Alcott fan, I must don the dunce cap of shame and admit I have never read Work...which is why I will be reading it this Victober.

Still not sure about this one. Maybe one of Gaskell's novels with a female heroine!

East Lynne has a female main character I think. I was considering Trilby, but I don't think I will read that this time. I considered She by Rider Haggard, but I doubt the She in question is actually the protagonist. I thought about Lois the Witch, which is one of Elizabeth Gaskell's Gothic Tales, but I am not sure I like the sound of it. Also Lois the Witch sounds like an American sitcom. I was thinking something short, but I have already read Alice in Wonderland and Carmilla. I might read Agnes Grey. I think that's only 150 pages long.

I need to continue reading Mysteries of Udolpho, but there a couple others I want to read like Agnes Grey.

Kevin wrote: "East Lynne has a female main character I think. I was considering Trilby, but I don't think I will read that this time. I considered She by Rider Haggard, but I doubt the She in question is actuall..."
I thought Lois the Witch was really sad but good.

Kevin wrote: "East Lynne has a female main character I think. I was considering Trilby, but I don't think I will read that this time. I considered She by Rider Haggard, but I doubt the She in question is actuall..."

Lois the Witch is a great read and it is one of the stories in the group read-along Gothic Tales.

For this challenge, I'm reading Sylvia’s Lovers by Elizabeth Gaskell. This novel fulfills at least 2 challenges #1 sensation and #3 heroine written by a female author and my current interest in the Gothic. I will compare/contrast Sylvia's Lovers (a female lead written by a female author) with Tess of the d’Urbervilles (a female lead written by a male author.)

I chose Vanity Fair for this challenge.

Kevin wrote: "East Lynne has a female main character I think. I was considering Trilby, but I don't think I will read that this time. I considered She by Rider Haggard, but I doubt the She in question is actuall..."

I enjoyed Agnes Grey. It read it in one sitting. I hope you like it too.

I am a little all over the place with my choices on this one. It is the only one I have not nailed down. I have my first, second, third, and other lists.

My top contender now is The Diaries of Hannah Cullwick. I bought this last year for non fiction and did not get to it. I figure it would count. Let me know.

Women Who Did is another one I have as a possibility.

The Hester and Olive are my other main backups.

If anyone has any opinions let me know. I am all ears for this one.

I'm excited to finally get to Villette by Charlotte Bronte, my final Bronte novel!

Helen wrote: "I'm excited to finally get to Villette by Charlotte Bronte, my final Bronte novel!"

Ah Villette.. my absolute favourite of the few i've read i just love it! It is however the least popular it seems of their novels (quite divisive)- i hope you love it too : )

Hi everyone : )
I will be reading Romola by George Eliot- it's set in the 1400's Renaissance Florence.. and although MIddlemarch (the only of hers ive read) was an overall enjoyable read- i didn't love it they way most seem too. Hoping ill love this one as the setting really appeals.
Is anyone else reading this too? I've heard it's a dense read so im up for comparing notes : )

I really want to reread "Jane Eyre". It is one of my favourites. Can't wait to begin the challenge )

Carmilla

Naomi wrote: "I will read Lady Audley's Secret !
so glad to participate to this challenge !! (i'm French btw^^)"

I love Lady Audley's Secret! Hope you do too :-)

Tricia wrote: "Madina Amirova, I was also thinking about re-reading Jane Eyre, it's a favorite! <3"

It would be nice to read together )))

I'm planning on Tess of the D`Ubervilles. I've read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and would love to reread it, but it may have to wait until next time.

I'm going to be reading Vanity Fair - I'm so excited to pick it up - not sure I will be finished in the month, but gonna give it a crack!

Mell wrote: "I'm going to be reading Vanity Fair - I'm so excited to pick it up - not sure I will be finished in the month, but gonna give it a crack!"

I really love that one, I was a bit daunted by its length when I read it but once I got into the flow I raced through it.

For this challenge I'll be reading Tess of the D'Urbervilles . This is will be a re-read, even though its been three decades ago, lol. I am very interested to compare my 15 vs 47 year old experience afterward.

A personal favorite that would be great for this category: Cranford

Cranford audiobook is free on audible, read by Prunella Scales it's great

I LOVE Victorian books with a female main character since I cannot really relate to male characters as much. I am currently reading "An Old Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott since 1. She is one of my favourite writers because there are heaps and heaps of lessons in her story's while adding some fun, and 2. I think I am "An Old Fashioned Girl" myself!

I was pretty torn between Gaskell’s Ruth or Sylvias lovers. But I’m going the latter for the female character challenge

I'm re-reading Bleak House for this challenge, and also counts towards Bonus challenge as it's the audiobook read by Miriam Margolyes, her reading is wonderful.

I keep changing my mind about this one but think I've finally settled on Sarah Grand's The Beth Book

I plan to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for this challenge.

I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for this prompt, and after being disappointed by both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, I am somewhat hesitant to give an opinion but based on the first 70 pages I am absolutely loving it! I'm pleasantly surprised right now and sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop but hoping for the best.

Kristie wrote: "I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for this prompt, and after being disappointed by both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, I am somewhat hesitant to give an opinion but based on the first 70 p..."

That's one of my favourite Bronte novels too, think it's very underrated.

Kristie wrote: "I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for this prompt, and after being disappointed by both Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, I am somewhat hesitant to give an opinion but based on the first 70 p..."
Anne is my favorite of the Bronte sisters.

My favourite is Emily, but Anne is the most contemporary of the three sisters. I've read "Agnes Grey" I don't know how many times and I would like very much to read "The tenant of Wildfell Hall". I started it and never finished.
I can't decide between this and Cranford.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is my favourite Brontë-novel, too.

Miriam wrote: "My favourite is Emily, but Anne is the most contemporary of the three sisters. I've read "Agnes Grey" I don't know how many times and I would like very much to read "The tenant of Wildfell Hall". I..."

I am listening to Cranford and it is really funny:)

I’m reading lots of books for Victober. I will most likely place them into the prompts after I finish to see where they fit best. Currently I’m listening to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte which is a re-read for me, of at least the three times. I’ve watched the movie a couple times before too. I’ve a simple question. I’m rather embarrassed I didn’t pick up on this before. I noticed Mr Rochester sometimes calls Jane Eyre by another name... Janet. He goes back and forth calling her Jane and Janet. Is her real full name Janet? Is Jane short for Janet? How did I not know this? ‘Tiz why I like to reread favorite books incase I discover something I might have missed before.

Bonnie wrote: "I’m reading lots of books for Victober. I will most likely place them into the prompts after I finish to see where they fit best. Currently I’m listening to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte which is a..."
It seems "Janet" started off as a pet name for "Jane," and then eventually became a name by itself.

I think "Janet" can sometimes be a familiar or nickname for Jane--think Jan-"ette", i.e., "little Jane." I believe only Rochester calls her this--no one else.