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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.
beckysboger's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cat_queen005's review
emotional
reflective
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? No
3.0
mrkdk's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
karinlib's review
4.0
I think most people would say that Jane Eyre is Charlotte Bronte's best work, but I think comparing Shirley to Jane Eyre is a bit like comparing Apples to Oranges, they are completely different. I think Shirley is just as good, just very different. I am very glad I finally read it.
mgouker's review
4.0
An interesting perspective about the industrial revolution from a woman's perspective. Robert Moore, a Dutch Titan of industry is desired and revered, but we also see the impact of machines, especially how they displace the poor. There is a level of disdain in the prose for such efforts:
...if I succeed as I intend to do, my success will add to his and Shirley's income. I can double the value of their mill property. I can line yonder barren Hollow with lines of cottages and rows of cottage-gardens----"
"Robert! And root up the copse?"
"The copse shall be firewood ere five years elapse. The beautiful wild ravine shall be a smooth descent; the green natural terrace shall be a paved street. There shall be cottages in the dark ravine, and cottages on the lonely slopes. The rough pebbled track shall be an even, firm, broad, black, sooty road, bedded with the cinders from my mill; and my mill, Caroline--my mill shall fill its present yard."
"Horrible! You will change our blue hill-country air into the Stilbro' smoke atmosphere."
"I will pour the waters of Pactolus through the valley of Briarfield."
"I like the beck a thousand times better."
- my emphasis. :-)
My opinion: Shirley is a good novel, but it is not as riveting as Jane Eyre or Villette.
...if I succeed as I intend to do, my success will add to his and Shirley's income. I can double the value of their mill property. I can line yonder barren Hollow with lines of cottages and rows of cottage-gardens----"
"Robert! And root up the copse?"
"The copse shall be firewood ere five years elapse. The beautiful wild ravine shall be a smooth descent; the green natural terrace shall be a paved street. There shall be cottages in the dark ravine, and cottages on the lonely slopes. The rough pebbled track shall be an even, firm, broad, black, sooty road, bedded with the cinders from my mill; and my mill, Caroline--my mill shall fill its present yard."
"Horrible! You will change our blue hill-country air into the Stilbro' smoke atmosphere."
"I will pour the waters of Pactolus through the valley of Briarfield."
"I like the beck a thousand times better."
- my emphasis. :-)
My opinion: Shirley is a good novel, but it is not as riveting as Jane Eyre or Villette.
roache's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75