Victorians! discussion
Archived Group Reads 2012
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Before We Begin With the Bronte Sisters readings
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I've read at least one book by each sister within the last 2 years and with that came up with Charlotte being the best storyteller (Jane Eyre), Emily having a flair for the dramatic (Wuthering Heights) and I found Anne to be the best writer of the group (Agnes Grey). Over time, I will continue to read works by each of these women to see whether my initial impressions of their skills continues to ring true.Since I had recently read Wuthering Heights, I'm not up for a re-read so soon thereafter, and frankly, I really didn't enjoy that book. I have other books in the queue so I settled on reading Villette, which I have read has many fans. Plus, it's been on my TBR since I had finished Jane Eyre. I'm interested in Anne's book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but again, the timing is off for me. I won't be able to get to it for probably another year or so.
Nevertheless, I am very interested in reading how our book club members compare the writing styles of the three women versus the subject matter of the each story.
I so agree with your assessment of the sisters. The threads for The Tenant will remain open should you want to check them out when you are ready. I have to say that The Tenant interests me a lot since it deals with spousal abuse. I share you're interest in how we will all see the sisters as we go through their books.I am excited about this!
It's a fantastic idea and there should be lots to discuss.Thanks for leaving the threads open, too, as I do like to go through the posts while reading a book.
I also agree, Sera, about Charlotte and Anne. Haven't read WH yet. I'm having trouble focusing on the audible version of Tenant, so will download it to read. I think it's the narrator's voice.
Since I have never read Anne's work, I am really looking forward to getting a full picture of these three authors. Well more rounded, I should say, maybe not "full" -- I guess I would have to become a student of them to say that. Of course the attraction of the whole concept -- amazingly talented siblings who took literature by storm -- it is hard to resist. I feel the same about the Drabble sisters too in our own era :) and I am sure there are a few more in literature that I have not been introduced to.Elizabeth, I suspect I will not be able to determine who is the best writer among them. I have been in the power of Emily all morning -- I had forgotten the underlying feel of this novel. It will be a decision I can't make probably!
I've read Wuthering Heights, both of Anne's novels, and for Charlotte, Jane Eyre, Villette, and Shirley (still have to get around to The Professor, but I do have it). Wuthering Heights has been my favorite novel since I was about twelve. I wore out the first paperback I had! In college, I took a Jan Plan (between semesters, we had a third term in which we studied one subject for a month) on the Brontes. We also read Mrs. Gaskell's biography of Charlotte, and some of the juvenilia.Looking forward to the discussions!
I'm in because I love to discuss novels with you folks! I have previously read only Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I just finished my re-read of WH, the merit of which somehow escapes me. I'll be interested in following the discussion - maybe I'll gain some new appreciation for the novel.I am most looking forward to Villette but am saving that for dessert and have started Wildfell Hall.
Elisabeth wrote: I think the most interesting thing about the books is just how radical they seem, compared to the other Victorians I've read. They really take some risks with the subject matter, religious beliefs, and the emotion.I totally agree here: they were radicals in a sort of way. I didn't like Villette though: too "lost", not centred. ALso Wuthering Heights can be seen as a "not centred" novel, but I find it more unitarian, even if tha story spreads over half a century and with different set of characters!
Martha wrote: "I also agree, Sera, about Charlotte and Anne. Haven't read WH yet. I'm having trouble focusing on the audible version of Tenant, so will download it to read. I think it's the narrator's voice."
There are a bunch of different narrators for "Tenant", right? I think I listened to the chapters that had narrators I enjoyed, then read the book on my Kindle when I was having a hard time listening to a particular narrator. It made the book flow better for me.
I read this article about a newly discovered Bronte manuscript a few months ago. It was very interesting, it tells a good bit about their home life and upbringing. I found it especially interesting as I had just finished Jane Eyre and was reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
Great article, Kelly. I will have to take a look at that book, Elizabeth...Thanks!
http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics...http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics...
http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics...
A few fast facts about the ladies
All have different facts btw
Elizabeth wrote: "Yes, Tenant has two narrators. The first is the guy writing letters and the second is from the journal. (I'm trying to say this without spoilers). Then more of the guy's letters."I meant narrators on Librivox, not in the story. Sorry for the confusion!
Me, too. I'm fine with how the story is told, just don't like the voice he uses. Distracting. I couldn't listen to Bleak House either. I've been listening after I read it and enjoying it that way. I may do that with Tenant, also.
I've read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I have decided to read Tenant because I've never read it. I may have time only to read this one as I'm also reading with another group, but am truly looking forward to this.
I've already read Wuthering Heights, so I will brush up on it during the discussion, but I won't do a complete re-read. I was already reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, so I will probably be focusing on that for the discussion. And Villette is just to much for me to read right now in addition to my other current reads, so I won't add to that particular discussion.I'm so excited for these discussions, the Bronte's have been my favorite authors ever since I read Jane Eyre and started watching some tv adaptions. They do seem to be radical in their writings! I think it's because the issues they write about affect the main characters personally, and they are very human like in dealing with it. It seems that in other Victorian books, the main characters don't come in direct contact with these issues, and therefore not as much detail is given.
This interesting quote is taken from "The Oxford Companion to the Brontes", and I think it proves how radical they could be in their writing. This is about the Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
(view spoiler)
LauraT wrote: "I didn't like Villette though: too "lost", not centred."I'm glad to find someone else who wasn't crazy about Villette. Although I did like it, but didn't think it came anywhere near Jane Eyre. I was hesitant to say so, as I know it's considered her best novel, and it seems like most here who have read it really loved it.
I recently finally got around to reading Shirley, and loved it! Although the ending was a little pat. I've been considering whether it should take Jane Eyre's place as my favorite by Charlotte, but I think Jane Eyre is still a stronger novel, so it retains that honor.
I am definitely interested in learning more about the Bronte's lives in general. I have read a couple of short, rather sketchy biographies, but I certainly intend to do some more research! What with college starting back next week, I'm not sure I'll have time for all three, but I'm planning on tackling Wuthering Heights and The Tenent of Wildfell Hall--both of which I have been intending to read for ages. I am really looking forward to getting better aquainted with the Bronte sisters. I read Jane Eyre last semester, and absolutely loved it, so I can't wait to read more!
I would love to join in on either WH or The Tenant but I am very much a one book at the time person, so it depends on when I will be able to finish the book I am currently reading. But I have read both WH and The Tenant before, and loved them both (WH especially) so I will keep an eye on the discussions even if I don't read along. I have no interest in reading Villette - Charlotte exasperates me, while her sisters fascinate me.
Denise wrote: I'm glad to find someone else who wasn't crazy about Villette. Although I did like it, but didn't think it came anywhere near Jane Eyre. I was hesitant to say so, as I know it's considered her best novel, and it seems like most here who have read it really loved itGlad to hear someone agreeing with me! I definitly prefere Jane Eyre
Nina, and others, it sounds as if there are several people who are reading other books and committed to other things right now -- with our discussion reaching over several weeks, people may join in at different times, so consider joining in at least one of the discussions a little later on -- there may be others who are at your pace too. We'll have the discussions broken out in sections, of course, so there should be few or no spoilers if you want to join at your own pace.
I started Wuthering Heights yesterday. I found this online study guide and thought I'd pass along the link. Among other things, it has a list of narrators by chapter which I'm finding very helpful. The house and grounds layouts are also interesting.http://www.wuthering-heights.co.uk/
I looked at other threads, and maybe I just missed it, but does it say anywhere how the discussions for the 3 books will be set up? I didn't join in the Dickens discussions, so I wasn't sure how it worked.
Rachel, scroll down the discussion topics page. You'll see the topics farther down the list.
Kelly wrote: "I started Wuthering Heights yesterday. I found this online study guide and thought I'd pass along the link. Among other things, it has a list of narrators by chapter which I'm finding very helpfu..."Thank you for this study guide. I took a brief look at it this morning and it looks to be very helpful.
Thanks Sera, I didn't realize it was set up yet. That looks very easy to follow, without getting spoilers for those of us who haven't read them all yet.
Nice link Kelly; astounding pictures!!!
Denise wrote: "I'm glad to find someone else who wasn't crazy about Villette. Although I did like it, but didn't think it came anywhere near Jane Eyre. I was hesitant to say so, as I know it's considered her best novel, and it seems like most here who have read it really loved it. "I'm about half way through it, and so far am tending toward not liking it that much. Part of that may because of all the French I don't understand, so I feel as though I'm missing a lot of the subtlety even if I'm really not. But for me the story is dragging and I'm finding myself picking it up, reading a few pages, then putting it down again for something better.
I understand, though, that it is largely biographical about her experience as a governess in Brussels. (I think Brussels; anyhow, somewhere in northern Europe.) It could be that she is more concerned with writing her bad experience out of herself than writing a compelling novel. But that's pure speculation.
Everyman wrote: "Denise wrote: "I'm glad to find someone else who wasn't crazy about Villette. Although I did like it, but didn't think it came anywhere near Jane Eyre. I was hesitant to say so, as I know it's cons..."I managed to make out ok with my high school French, but I agree that the plot dragged. Also, I just didn't find Lucy Snowe likable. I did find Ginevra amusing, though, and there were some fun Gothic-like elements.
Charlotte and Emily studied at the pensionnat in Brussels, also teaching to pay for their tuition and room and board. Charlotte later returned to the pensionnat to teach, (view spoiler) (inserted spoiler so as not to give away a plot point)
But I suppose we really shouldn't be discussing too much before the real discussion begins!
Good to be reading/discussing with you again, Everyman! (Did you read my introduction?)
Rachel,This weekend, or possibly sooner, we will move the discussion folders closer to the top of the page here, so they will be more visible and the discussion will officially begin.
I'm glad others found that link helpful.The characters in this book are blowing my mind. I am anxious for us to start discussing it.
Denise wrote: "Good to be reading/discussing with you again, Everyman! (Did you read my introduction?) "Yes, I did, but I'm sorry to admit that I didn't recognize your alias or user name. And I don't think you've posted on my Classics and the Western Canon group, have you?
No, we know each other from B&N. Mostly Literature by Women and Classics (and Wordsmithonia). I think you were one of the ones who called me Dulcie. I'm brand-new to Goodreads. Peppermill tipped me off to the Bronte discussion.
Villette does drag at times. I thought it really picked up in the last 3rd or so of the book and toward the end I absolutely could not put it down.
Love the WH study guide, Kelly! Thanks for it. Makes me want to read WH now. :-)
Denise wrote: "No, we know each other from B&N. Mostly Literature by Women and Classics (and Wordsmithonia). I think you were one of the ones who called me Dulcie. I'm brand-new to Goodreads. Peppermill tippe..."Ah, yes. Nice to "see" you here!
I've read Emily Bronte and Charlotte Bronte. Yet to read the works of Anne Bronte. I read Wuthering Heights when the passion for reading was in its nascent stages and the favourite tag that came to be associated with Wuthering Heights has never left. Every time I reread Wuthering Heights there is an element of newness, surprises and with my ideas changing over the years the perception changed too. I've read Jane Eyre and Villette. I strangely liked Villette more than Jane Eyre. I found an uncanny correlation with the story, the setting and the characters.
I've already read some of Emily's works and some of Charlotte's. Personally, I'm not a very big fan of Emily's stuff. And I couldn't stand Wuthering Heights. I only chugged through to the end because I can't stand to not finish a book that I've started more than my dislike of the novel itself. Hahaha. Anyhow, I'm definitely looking forward to Villette, one of Charlotte Bronte's I haven't read, and to Anne Bronte, who I haven't read at all. That's why I saved "The Tennant of Wildfell Hall" for last.
So glad you will be joining us, Zoe. Feel free to jump right into any or all of our discussions.
Zoe wrote: "I've already read some of Emily's works and some of Charlotte's. Personally, I'm not a very big fan of Emily's stuff. And I couldn't stand Wuthering Heights. I only chugged through to the end becau..."Really. Well I loved Wuthering Heights, the passionate love, the lonely setting. I can go on ranting about it. I do hope you like Villette.
Victorians!
Books mentioned in this topic
Jane Eyre (other topics)Wuthering Heights (other topics)
Villette (other topics)
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (other topics)
Wuthering Heights (other topics)
More...
Is there anything you are curious about? Why are you choosing to read one, two, or all of these books? Do you expect to see differences in their writing style? Do you favor one sister over the others? .....might be some of the areas of interest.
Please feel free to add anything you might like to before we "officially" begin.
We are looking so forward to our discussions and readings together. Thank you in advance for joining us.