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babsbelovedbooks 's review for:
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
by Anne Brontë
I have mixed feelings about this book, even though I generally really enjoyed it. I loved that it switched from one point of view to another and then back again. I love that part of the book was in epistolary form. The story truly kept my interest and each character was unique and engaging in some way.
One thing that bothered me as I followed the story was that my opinion of both the character of Helen and Gilbert kept changing for me as the book progressed. One moment I liked the character, then I disliked the character and back and forth. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it made me become cloudy as to who I was rooting for in the novel.
The level of miscommunication due to reserve, pride or social conventions frustrated me to no end (most likely why I couldn't give this a 5 star rating). One simple statement or question could have saved all people involved a great deal of suffering and heartache. Sacrifice and martyrdom was also a major theme in the book, as well, which I sometimes appreciate, but I think it was a bit overdone in this particular story.
Parts of the story upset me a good deal and I could barely get through some chapters fast enough. Though, I do feel like they were integral to the story and to why Helen had to leave her husband. One of my favorite classics from this time period, but definitely not as fun or lighthearted in tone as the novels of Jane Austen. Even though I had a number of issues with the novel, I couldn't help but like it and I do want to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again.
(SPOILER ALERT: I almost wish that Helen had connected with Mr. Hargrave at the end. I felt that he was always there to save or support her and tried so hard to be a dear friend. Even after Gilbert showed so much violence against Helen's brother, she still chose him and that confused me. I had more sympathy and affection for Mr. Hargrave than for Gilbert Markham. I wonder if anyone else felt that way?)
One thing that bothered me as I followed the story was that my opinion of both the character of Helen and Gilbert kept changing for me as the book progressed. One moment I liked the character, then I disliked the character and back and forth. I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, but it made me become cloudy as to who I was rooting for in the novel.
The level of miscommunication due to reserve, pride or social conventions frustrated me to no end (most likely why I couldn't give this a 5 star rating). One simple statement or question could have saved all people involved a great deal of suffering and heartache. Sacrifice and martyrdom was also a major theme in the book, as well, which I sometimes appreciate, but I think it was a bit overdone in this particular story.
Parts of the story upset me a good deal and I could barely get through some chapters fast enough. Though, I do feel like they were integral to the story and to why Helen had to leave her husband. One of my favorite classics from this time period, but definitely not as fun or lighthearted in tone as the novels of Jane Austen. Even though I had a number of issues with the novel, I couldn't help but like it and I do want to reread The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again.
(SPOILER ALERT: I almost wish that Helen had connected with Mr. Hargrave at the end. I felt that he was always there to save or support her and tried so hard to be a dear friend. Even after Gilbert showed so much violence against Helen's brother, she still chose him and that confused me. I had more sympathy and affection for Mr. Hargrave than for Gilbert Markham. I wonder if anyone else felt that way?)