The Tenant of Wildfell Hall in The Obscure Reading Group

Jul 12, 2020 Jola rated it really liked it

Shelves: united-kingdom, diaries, letters

What a book!

Always gripping.
Usually compassionate.
Often surprising.
Sometimes vexatious.
Seldom disappointing.
Never dull.

Review to come.

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Feb 16, 2021 Kathleen rated it liked it

Shelves: women-writers, classic

“At present I am pleased with Arthur: he has not positively disgraced himself for upwards of a fortnight …”

What I love about Anne Brontё is she tells it like it is. So refreshing. And how shocking this novel must have been in its day: the story of the abuse of women by their families, their husbands, and society; vivid details of the ramifications of alcoholism.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall had the makings of a great novel. A mysterious stranger with a secret past arrives in a small community. A s ...more

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Feb 12, 2021 Sue rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, 19th-century, britain, kindle, read-2021

A book that I have wanted to read for a long time, finally accomplished. The world of Victorian novels is one I have enjoyed since at least my college days and I do like stepping back into those pages periodically with various authors to experience the mores, culture and changes of that long period.

Anne Bronte brings her own proto-feminist thoughts to the table in this story of a woman of the early 19th century, ca 1827, who arrives, with her very young son as the tenant at Wildfell Hall. Who i ...more

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Oct 11, 2017 Ginny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I found this a really wonderful read. Layered, intricate, moving, and engaging. The main character, Helen, is deeply religious, and constantly refers to scriptures as evidence for the concept that men and women are equal in the sight of God. That their legal and cultural strictures are not justified by any arguments about their inferiority. A truly profound work of art.

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Jul 09, 2023 Cindy Newton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-lit-english, owned-books

I read this as a buddy read with a couple of my teacher friends, and we all really enjoyed it. I love all of the Brontes, and it's fascinating to see the very different voices these three sisters had. Anne died too young, as they all did, at 29. I would have loved to see what else she produced if her life hadn't been cut so tragically short.

Her book was considered by many, at publication, to be brutal and disgusting in its frankness in its portrayal of the effects of alcohol, especially on youn I read this as a buddy read with a couple of my teacher friends, and we all really enjoyed it. I love all of the Brontes, and it's fascinating to see the very different voices these three sisters had. Anne died too young, as they all did, at 29. I would have loved to see what else she produced if her life hadn't been cut so tragically short.

Her book was considered by many, at publication, to be brutal and disgusting in its frankness in its portrayal of the effects of alcohol, especially on young men. Everyone knew the mischief well-bred young men indulged in during their wild debauchs, but no one spoke of it. Anne did, very descriptively. The unmarried daughter of a parson, she had first-hand knowledge of the destructiveness of alcoholism through the life of her brother, Branwell. Her book serves as a cautionary tale for all of the dangers of a life lived for substance abuse and self-indulgence in sexual exploits.

Her novel is also groundbreaking in its feminism. Her prose strips bare the real power inequality between men and women and how easily women are abused in this dynamic. A married woman was at the mercy of her husband in all ways. Anne pulls back the curtain on the verbal, mental, and emotional abuse these wives suffered. They also endured physical abuse, although Helen is not beaten or raped by her husband. The wives' complete dependence on their abusive husbands is clear--their husbands control the very roof over their head and the food they eat, as well as access to their own children.

The novel begins in the voice of Gilbert Markham, a rather spoiled young man from a good family who is intrigued by the recent arrival of an attractive young widow. Her presence is enshrouded in mystery. Who is she? Where did she come from? What happened to her husband? We remain in ignorance until the novel switches to Helen's voice and we learn her backstory. She is not a widow but an abused wife on the run, desperate to save her son from his father's destructive parenting. Under his tutelage, his small son is exposed to all sorts of licentious behavior, including strong advocacy for drunkenness. He is also being taught to despise his mother and disrespect her. We see how Helen's friends, some of whom marry her own husband's friends, endure the same treatment that she does, although Helen's husband is far and away the most cruel. We see Helen go from a lovestruck young girl to a disillusioned young woman, bitterly regretful of her own blindness when it came to her marriage.

The book switches back to Gilbert's viewpoint toward the end. Gilbert does mature somewhat over the course of the novel, but I personally felt that he still was not mature enough for Helen. I'm not sure that I would have wanted to hook up with a petulant manchild after finally being freed of a drunken monster, but I guess that's just me. I also had serious reservations about Gilbert after he (view spoiler)

Anyway, this is another book that helps cement the talented Brontes firmly in the canon. Highly recommended! ...more

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Nov 14, 2009 Carol rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I just finished this book. What a book of empowerment for women of the 19th century. It is still prevalent today. Miss Bronte brings an insight to this novel that was repulsive to the gentlemen of the era. I find that some men still think that way today.

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Oct 05, 2017 Nora Rawn rated it liked it

An interesting mix of an unconventional female heroine and a bit of a narrow worldview despite that. Much more readable than the usual epistolary novel.

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