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cyprille's review
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
monazaneefer's review against another edition
3.0
So my 3/4th Charlotte Brontë novel and....I can’t imagine this being a movie. It’s more suited to be translated into a miniseries.
Let’s spew all my thoughts in front of me:
Firstly, I wish I knew that this was not going to be a first-person narrated romantic tale like Jane Eyre or Villette. I adored Caroline and Robert’s storyline but there was so little of it. We knew they loved each other (or at least for the most part, we knew Caroline sure did) but their scenes together weren’t enough. So by the end, while it was satisfying, my excitement was lost by then.
Caroline, as a character, was sweet and loveable but all she did was mourn over the loss of Robert’s companionship. I mean, at least when Jane and Lucy did that, the plot still moved ahead or their feelings just heightened as they interacted more with their respective love interests. But with Caroline, it just became repetitive. She rarely met Robert and she just repeated her grief. I sympathised with her throughout and didn’t mind it at all but now, having lost my excitement by the end, it just becomes another negative point.
Another issue is the structure of this plot. Within the last 200 pages or so, so much happens! It didn’t feel rushed at all but why was it so crammed? We’re introduced to major characters and the plot strays away from what it had been thus far. It was first about Robert, Caroline and issues rising due to industrialisation...then we were introduced to Shirley. So far so good, because her addition felt like an enhancement of the plot. But then comes the change of plans. Story in the end becomes about Shirley’s marriage proposals, Louis, amongst other things and nothing to do with the first half of the book.
It’s like I read a specific story drawling for a good chunk of the book...and then another story by the end. It’s as though Charlotte didn’t have a fixed story arc.
For the parts I liked: I loved the characters. I found them distinct from each other and I liked how, when I think of it, each was nuanced in their own individual general disposition. They weren’t typical. However, I do wish Caroline developed (albeit there being sparks and moments). Even now, I really like Robert Moore’s characterisation. His stern ways (and I appreciate how Charlotte didn’t change that to make him likeable), his flaws, how he was proud but at the same time, his softness, especially towards Caroline.
I found a few parts funny in the latter half of the book (Martin leading Caroline to Robert’s room when he was sick and something else I forgot already).
My experience with this book lacks the excitement and emotional turmoil I went through reading Villette. I don’t know if it’s because I wasn’t prepared that it wasn’t a love story and had various plots instead. Or it covered so many characters that I barely cared for (Yorkes / the curates / etc). Or if in actuality it did drag. Or if it’s because it’s an agglomeration of all that.
Overall, I like this book well enough. I adore the characters. I’ll revisit them sometime. But in terms of ranking, it only comes after Villette and Jane Eyre.
All I have left of Charlotte Brontë’s novels is “The Professor”... which I’m not going to lie, I feel like I’ll like but I don’t expect to be blown away.
Edit: Far from being my favourite character, I really really like Robert Moore’s characterisation nevertheless. Maybe my favourite characterisation of all time. But, one may wonder, what’s the difference between his character sketch and let’s say that of Mr Rochester or even Mr Darcy. Well, for one, Robert Moore is more realistic as opposed to a fictitious hero. Secondly, Mr Rochester’s pride and sternness came from what he went through. His past events shaped him and it still looms over him when he meets Jane. And Mr Darcy’s pride changes I think because of Lizzie Bennet (I haven’t read the story so not 100% sure). But here, we have Robert and we are supposed to accept him the way he is. That’s his nature. That’s his innate personality.
Let’s spew all my thoughts in front of me:
Firstly, I wish I knew that this was not going to be a first-person narrated romantic tale like Jane Eyre or Villette. I adored Caroline and Robert’s storyline but there was so little of it. We knew they loved each other (or at least for the most part, we knew Caroline sure did) but their scenes together weren’t enough. So by the end, while it was satisfying, my excitement was lost by then.
Caroline, as a character, was sweet and loveable but all she did was mourn over the loss of Robert’s companionship. I mean, at least when Jane and Lucy did that, the plot still moved ahead or their feelings just heightened as they interacted more with their respective love interests. But with Caroline, it just became repetitive. She rarely met Robert and she just repeated her grief. I sympathised with her throughout and didn’t mind it at all but now, having lost my excitement by the end, it just becomes another negative point.
Another issue is the structure of this plot. Within the last 200 pages or so, so much happens! It didn’t feel rushed at all but why was it so crammed? We’re introduced to major characters and the plot strays away from what it had been thus far. It was first about Robert, Caroline and issues rising due to industrialisation...then we were introduced to Shirley. So far so good, because her addition felt like an enhancement of the plot. But then comes the change of plans. Story in the end becomes about Shirley’s marriage proposals, Louis, amongst other things and nothing to do with the first half of the book.
It’s like I read a specific story drawling for a good chunk of the book...and then another story by the end. It’s as though Charlotte didn’t have a fixed story arc.
For the parts I liked: I loved the characters. I found them distinct from each other and I liked how, when I think of it, each was nuanced in their own individual general disposition. They weren’t typical. However, I do wish Caroline developed (albeit there being sparks and moments). Even now, I really like Robert Moore’s characterisation. His stern ways (and I appreciate how Charlotte didn’t change that to make him likeable), his flaws, how he was proud but at the same time, his softness, especially towards Caroline.
I found a few parts funny in the latter half of the book (Martin leading Caroline to Robert’s room when he was sick and something else I forgot already).
My experience with this book lacks the excitement and emotional turmoil I went through reading Villette. I don’t know if it’s because I wasn’t prepared that it wasn’t a love story and had various plots instead. Or it covered so many characters that I barely cared for (Yorkes / the curates / etc). Or if in actuality it did drag. Or if it’s because it’s an agglomeration of all that.
Overall, I like this book well enough. I adore the characters. I’ll revisit them sometime. But in terms of ranking, it only comes after Villette and Jane Eyre.
All I have left of Charlotte Brontë’s novels is “The Professor”... which I’m not going to lie, I feel like I’ll like but I don’t expect to be blown away.
Edit: Far from being my favourite character, I really really like Robert Moore’s characterisation nevertheless. Maybe my favourite characterisation of all time. But, one may wonder, what’s the difference between his character sketch and let’s say that of Mr Rochester or even Mr Darcy. Well, for one, Robert Moore is more realistic as opposed to a fictitious hero. Secondly, Mr Rochester’s pride and sternness came from what he went through. His past events shaped him and it still looms over him when he meets Jane. And Mr Darcy’s pride changes I think because of Lizzie Bennet (I haven’t read the story so not 100% sure). But here, we have Robert and we are supposed to accept him the way he is. That’s his nature. That’s his innate personality.
laurae_fg's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This novel is so gut-wrenching, in a miserable and loveable way. Pining was invented by romantic authors, that's what I conclude from this novel.
facchinibeatrice's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lenny9987's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sleeprunreadrepeat's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ellasreads's review
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
kmhst25's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
Truly shocked by how much I disliked this book. If the author of a classic has other, forgotten works, it's worth considering that they may be forgotten for a reason.
Overall, I found it boring and meandering. It's hard to say what Bronte was trying to achieve here. At one point, she seems to be setting up an ensemble cast, Middlemarch type of book, but she quits halfway through and presents 90% of the remaining content from the perspective of a single character. Early in the book, we ponder the complicated ramifications of industrialization, but that plotline fizzles and is more or less abandoned. The title character doesn't show up for almost 200 pages and actually isn't the primary focus of the book anyway. And in the last 50 pages, a previously minimal and sweet romance takes a turn to the possessive and controlling. The woman is almost dragged to the altar in a thrall, but this is presented as a happy ending.
In short, the plot was all over the place, and the "happy" ending left me uncomfortable.
Overall, I found it boring and meandering. It's hard to say what Bronte was trying to achieve here. At one point, she seems to be setting up an ensemble cast, Middlemarch type of book, but she quits halfway through and presents 90% of the remaining content from the perspective of a single character. Early in the book, we ponder the complicated ramifications of industrialization, but that plotline fizzles and is more or less abandoned. The title character doesn't show up for almost 200 pages and actually isn't the primary focus of the book anyway. And in the last 50 pages, a previously minimal and sweet romance takes a turn to the possessive and controlling. The woman is almost dragged to the altar in a thrall, but this is presented as a happy ending.
In short, the plot was all over the place, and the "happy" ending left me uncomfortable.