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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
surprisingly humorous and utterly entertaining! helen graham might just be the love of my life (gilbert is so undeserving, every man is)
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Domestic abuse
When the mysterious Mrs Graves arrives at Wildfell Hall, she causes great speculation among the local residents and she captivates Mr Markham. Who is she? Where has she come from? What is she hiding?
It is impossible not to compare this to her sisters work. In terms of style it shares a lot of similarities with both, particularly Charlotte, though there are elements we also see in Emily's work. The gothic houses and moors, which are less evident in Jane Eyre, and the style of narration told from the perspective of Gilbert Markham and Helen's diary rather then directly from Helen's. However there the similarity ends. Like Jane Eyre (which I love) it is generally calmer and less melodramatic then Wuthering Heights (which I can't abide).
The characters are for the most part likeable, and we can sympathise with them. Helen, like Jane, is a good girl who has had a hard life. She most overcome these obstacles, and resist temptation, clinging to her faith in the hope she may one day find happiness. However Helen is less perfect than Jane. The hardships in her life are partly of her own making. She shunned the advice of her aunt and to a certain extant ignored her better judgment, blinded by the flush of first 'love'. It's something many of us run foul off, though thankfully with less terrible consequences. The result is she is more relatable. Both Huntingdon and Markham also less extreme then either Rochester or Heathcliff. Huntingdon is selfish and an alcoholic, making him cruel but not a psychopath, and Markham though passionate never contemplates forcing the woman he loves to do anything to which she would morally object.
My one issue with it was I felt the section told via Helen's was slightly longer then required. It could have been shortened and still conveyed how terrible Helen's life had been. I was eager for the action to return to the relationship between Helen and Markham, which is what really interested me.
Overall while I enjoyed it more then Wuthering Heights though didn't love it as much as Jane Eyre, for all the characters are more relatable.
It is impossible not to compare this to her sisters work. In terms of style it shares a lot of similarities with both, particularly Charlotte, though there are elements we also see in Emily's work. The gothic houses and moors, which are less evident in Jane Eyre, and the style of narration told from the perspective of Gilbert Markham and Helen's diary rather then directly from Helen's. However there the similarity ends. Like Jane Eyre (which I love) it is generally calmer and less melodramatic then Wuthering Heights (which I can't abide).
The characters are for the most part likeable, and we can sympathise with them. Helen, like Jane, is a good girl who has had a hard life. She most overcome these obstacles, and resist temptation, clinging to her faith in the hope she may one day find happiness. However Helen is less perfect than Jane. The hardships in her life are partly of her own making. She shunned the advice of her aunt and to a certain extant ignored her better judgment, blinded by the flush of first 'love'. It's something many of us run foul off, though thankfully with less terrible consequences. The result is she is more relatable. Both Huntingdon and Markham also less extreme then either Rochester or Heathcliff. Huntingdon is selfish and an alcoholic, making him cruel but not a psychopath, and Markham though passionate never contemplates forcing the woman he loves to do anything to which she would morally object.
My one issue with it was I felt the section told via Helen's was slightly longer then required. It could have been shortened and still conveyed how terrible Helen's life had been. I was eager for the action to return to the relationship between Helen and Markham, which is what really interested me.
Overall while I enjoyed it more then Wuthering Heights though didn't love it as much as Jane Eyre, for all the characters are more relatable.
Якби Гелена в ті часи була чоловіком, з неї вийшов би непоганий вікарій чи пастор)
Вона точно справилася б краще преподобного Майкла Мілворда, бо, не дивлячись на молодий вік, крім християнської смиренності має більше розуміння і людяності. Але як для художньої книжки, то мені моралізаторства забагато.
Ще подумалося: якби юним леді так настирливо не сватали не дуже юних парубків, то вони не кидалися б в обійми першому ліпшому молодику(
Вона точно справилася б краще преподобного Майкла Мілворда, бо, не дивлячись на молодий вік, крім християнської смиренності має більше розуміння і людяності. Але як для художньої книжки, то мені моралізаторства забагато.
Ще подумалося: якби юним леді так настирливо не сватали не дуже юних парубків, то вони не кидалися б в обійми першому ліпшому молодику(
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had no idea what to expect from this book, having no knowledge of the plot or the characters, but I was pleasantly surprised.
The book begins from the perspective of Gilbert, who becomes intrigued by the new tenant of Wildfell Hall, a widow and single mother, Helen Graham. She becomes subject of local gossip as a result of her reclusive and unusual behaviour, but Gilbert develops strong feelings for her. It is only when Helen shares her diary with Gilbert that the truth of her past comes out.
I was very invested in the plot and the characters, and I particularly enjoyed the diary entries from Helen (as opposed to the parts from Gilbert’s perspective). I was surprised how strong the feminist themes were, and also the similarities of abuse 200 years ago and now.
The slight twist and turns of the narrative kept me on my toes, and the prose was poignant and emotive at times, although not as strong in comparison to Wuthering Heights.
My only criticism is that Gilbert’s and Helen’s characters seemed a little inconsistent at times.
The book begins from the perspective of Gilbert, who becomes intrigued by the new tenant of Wildfell Hall, a widow and single mother, Helen Graham. She becomes subject of local gossip as a result of her reclusive and unusual behaviour, but Gilbert develops strong feelings for her. It is only when Helen shares her diary with Gilbert that the truth of her past comes out.
I was very invested in the plot and the characters, and I particularly enjoyed the diary entries from Helen (as opposed to the parts from Gilbert’s perspective). I was surprised how strong the feminist themes were, and also the similarities of abuse 200 years ago and now.
The slight twist and turns of the narrative kept me on my toes, and the prose was poignant and emotive at times, although not as strong in comparison to Wuthering Heights.
My only criticism is that Gilbert’s and Helen’s characters seemed a little inconsistent at times.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
4.5 ⭐️ Was it hard to read? Yes. Did I end up loving it? Absolutely. There were definitely some slow points but I was craving to know what happened next. The movie series I watched after does not do this book justice. It was such an interesting read and covered topics such as abuse, depression, alcoholism, anxiety, divorce, etc. It will certainly stick with you.