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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Anne Brontë

Start date: January 1, 2018

Finish date: January 31, 2018

Discussion: "Let us Chat a Moment!"

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May 24, 2023 Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, classics-trad-and-modern, 2023-read, bronte

I read this as part of a yearlong Bronte sisters readalong and I loved it! It may be my favourite so far, although it in infuriating and at times bleak, Anne Bronte doesn't shy away from portraying her characters' flaws and weaknesses as well as the dangers and consequences of alcoholism - on both the alcoholic and their loved ones.

Two quotes from this book sprung out and me, and stayed with me, and seem to perfectly capture the powerlessness and despair of a women's situation at those times and I read this as part of a yearlong Bronte sisters readalong and I loved it! It may be my favourite so far, although it in infuriating and at times bleak, Anne Bronte doesn't shy away from portraying her characters' flaws and weaknesses as well as the dangers and consequences of alcoholism - on both the alcoholic and their loved ones.

Two quotes from this book sprung out and me, and stayed with me, and seem to perfectly capture the powerlessness and despair of a women's situation at those times and under those circumstances in comparison with that of men in a similar situation.

Re Helen:
“....he still maintained that she had done wrong to leave her husband; it was a violation of her sacred duties as a wife, and a tempting of Providence by laying herself open to temptation; and nothing short of bodily ill-usage (and that of no trifling nature) could excuse such a step - nor even that, for in such a case she ought to appeal to the laws for protection.”

Re Lowborough:
“Her husband, however, upon this second misdemeanour, immediately sought and obtained a divorce, and, not long after, married again.”>

THEMES
Love/Marriage/Duty/Fidelity
Independence/Influence
Alcoholism/Addiction
Nature/Nurture
Naivety/Maturity
Self-Control/Violence/Addiction
Societal Restrictions

There are so many issues raised in this work that it's hard to capture them all.
The belief that a women's duty in marriage overrides any hardships or injustices she may encounter seems to be the overarching theme, alongside that of addiction/alcoholism.
Helen is trapped by her own sense of duty, her belief that she can change her husband and then ultimately by the inevitability of societal judgement if she leaves.
Her husband, and most of the other male characters are trapped by their predilections for pleasure over duty, self over family. Arthur can't control his alcoholism, Lowborough struggles with an opium addiction, Gilbert has a problem with his temper, yet despite their failings and outbursts the men are relatively secure in knowing they won't be completely ostracised from society for their behaviour.
Helen strives for independence and take extreme measures to prevent her son from following in his father's footsteps. She has few allies. Many of the other women are mercenary or judgemental and instead of offering sympathy set themselves up as competitors or critics. Only Millicent and Esther support her and she encourages Esther to make decisions for herself, independent of her mother's influence.

There is so much that could be said about this book! None of the characters are that likeable - Helen in her young naivety is almost unbearable, although she garners our sympathy later. Arthur is awful as are most of his companions. Gilbert is self-obsessed and childish. The mothers and aunts are variously selfish and/or overbearing. It's an unflinching portrait of a certain wedge of society and the pitfalls women had to navigate to retain their reputation, as well as a ruthless insight into alcoholism and its consequences. Yet, despite it's challenging cast of characters and it's occasional ruthlessness, this novel really drew me in. I was invested in the reality of it all and even more so at the audacity shown by Anne Bronte to dare to write about such issues during the time she lived in. A brave and impactful book! ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Mar 24, 2025 Amy rated it liked it

I typically just read one book at a time unless it’s something I lose interest in, but want to return to it on & off. That’s how it was with ‘Wildfell Hall’.
For me, it took a lot of patience to read this tome & I wish I had enjoyed it more. That being said, I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it.
I listened to the audiobook from LibriVox read by Expatriate.

***DON’T READ PAST HERE OR YOU WILL
ENCOUNTER SPOILERS***

Well, Ms. Brontë really spent a very long time on the exposition of the ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2016 Roxy marked it as to-read

Sep 07, 2016 Laura (Reading is a Doing Word) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Sep 20, 2016 Chrisie marked it as to-read

Shelves: how-to-be-well-read

Oct 12, 2016 Barbara marked it as to-read

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Dec 27, 2017 Kylie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: bronte-sisters, victorian

Jan 01, 2018 Jen from Quebec :0) marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jan 03, 2018 Charity marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jan 29, 2018 Jenny rated it liked it

Shelves: classics, 2018

Apr 15, 2018 Alina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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May 13, 2020 Sharranya marked it as to-read

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Mar 13, 2023 Christine PNW rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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Shelves: fiction-romance, fiction-gothic, n100k, fiction, favourites, literature-rated, zz-fully-tagged-2023, 8, 1001-boxall, fiction-historical-fiction

Jan 01, 2024 Heather added it

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Sep 27, 2024 Grace added it · review of another edition

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