The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte
Summary (from the publisher): Gilbert Markham is deeply intrigued by Helen Graham, a beautiful and secretive young woman who has moved into nearby Wildfell Hall with her young son. He is quick to offer Helen his friendship, but when her reclusive behavior becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, Gilbert begins to wonder whether his trust in her has been misplaced. It is only when she allows Gilbert to read her diary that the truth is revealed and the shocking details of the disastrous marriage she has left behind emerge. Told with great immediacy, combined with wit and irony, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a powerful depiction of a woman's fight for domestic independence and creative freedom.
Review: This novel opens with Gilbert Markham writing a letter to a friend to describe the strange happenings at the nearby Wildfell Hall. Gilbert is very intrigued by the mysterious Helen Graham who is living there - a beautiful and secretive young woman who is very protective of her young son. While he is quick to try to get close to her, local gossip makes him question his trust in her. In response, she loans him her diary to read and see the full truth of her past and the disastrous marriage she left behind.
This novel is of course steeped in the sensibilities of the day, which finds the actions of Helen's husband to be the most absolute shocking possible! Drinking! Lying! Gallivanting about and leaving his wife and child at home! Of course, he is a terrible husband but it's all a bit melodramatic. I do admire Helen for her plucky tenacity and unwillingness to continue to suffer her husband's sins in silence. In a time where it was rare, she decides to leave rather than endure being his wife any longer. She is a devoted mother and gives her husband endless second chances and opportunities for forgiveness and reform.
I think where I struggled in this novel was Helen's deplorable test in men! Of course, without question her husband proves himself to be in low character and a poor husband and father. Helen is repeatedly worn before she marries him but persists in her decision. Yet I don't think she has made any better a decision in falling in with Gilbert Markham. He is toying with a young lady when he meets Helen, promptly drops his first love interest, and then promptly cuts Helen at the first hint of social disapproval. And he randomly assaults a man that he mistakenly believes to be in a liaison with Helen! He is inconstant and easily manipulated. I was not a fan at all. Just insufferable. It was difficult to believe that this is who Helen puts her trust in and literally hands her diary over to. Choose more wisely, Helen!
I loved the frame of the story within a story here, where Gilbert's narrative contains Helen's diary, allowing her to also share her perspective. This stands up well against the likes of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. I loved the strong female lead, which apparently caused quite a stir when this was first published.
Stars: 3
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