The intro
to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall said that if it hadn’t been for the Brontë name attached to it,
it would long ago have fallen into oblivion. I disagree with that assessment based
on the fact that I’ve read many Victorian novels this year and this one is much better than most of them.
The year is
1827 and Gilbert Markham falls in love with Helen Graham, a beautiful,
mysterious widow who moves to the neighborhood. But there exists a huge
impediment to their happiness and the characters must decide if they will
pursue their own desires or submit to God’s will.
I enjoyed
this book very much. Unlike the annoying heroes and heroines in Margaret
Oliphant’s novels, the main characters in this book learn and grow from their
mistakes. The writing is good.( I loved savoring the words “diffidence,
salubrious” and “termagant.”) The antagonist in the story is thoroughly despicable,
making the book hard to put down. Brontë gives much food for thought on the
subjects of love and marriage. And the outcome is satisfying.
BUT, I didn’t
love this book. Although I admired Helen for her faith and her sense of duty,
she is never as endearing as a Jane Eyre or a Lizzie Bennett. Literarily speaking, she was “weighed and
found wanting.” Still, after so many
duds, I was glad to read a Victorian novel that was a cut above. Tenant is often touted as a feminist
novel because Helen is outspoken and unsubmissive, but I disagree based on her
behavior toward Arthur Huntingdon later in the book. You’ll have to read it yourself
to decide.
3 comments:
I really liked this book! It is different from many of the other books of that time & probably more realistic. I haven't seen any other reviews of this so it was good to see yours.
I enjoyed this book too, but like you I didn't love it. Makes one wonder what the magical ingredient is, doesn't it?
I like the way you disputed the comment in the intro. I agree that this is better than lots of other Victorian novels.
I liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. At the time I read it, I remember encouraging my teenage daughter to read it because I thought Bronte realistically portrayed the consequences of a foolish decision. I can also remember comparing Helen to Jane Eyre and finding her wanting. Although she has Jane's sense of morality and duty, she is pretty much joyless.
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