I’m so excited to write this post up today!! I’ve been wanting to write/talk about these reads since I read them—one in January, one in April. They are absolutely already two of my favourite books of 2022, and I have no doubt they stay in my top five of the year. Here are some mini(ish) reviews of two english lit classics: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Persuasion.
~this is spoiler-free with the exception of the quotes, don’t scroll through those!!!
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, by Anne Brontë
I quite literally inhaled this book. I ate this UP. As one of my first reads of the year, it was refreshing. And, as one of the first proper classics I’d read in a proper while, actually (excluding LOTR/Silmarillion in the latter half of last year), it was DIVINE. I felt serious, serious book hangover when I finished.
Out of the three Brontë sisters, Anne was the only one I had not yet read. And what a truly excellent introduction this novel is! I feel so sad that the world was robbed of the wonders she would have been able to write had she not died so young. I greatly anticipate reading her other novel, Agnes Grey, as well as her poems in the collection that includes poetry from all three sisters.
Anyway. This novel is truly a masterpiece. The prose was marvellous, the plot and its execution engaging, and the characters fascinating.
I loved the way Anne set the scene. Our narrator and voice for the first and last parts of the novel is Gilbert. I found this rather interesting and enjoyable; it was reminiscent of the male narrator/perspective of Wuthering Heights. The later shift in perspective to the tenant herself, Helen Graham, was effortlessly accomplished, and I’m glad of it because I don’t think the story could have been told any other way.
Themes
And the themes. Such excellent themes. Anne’s execution of these literal life lessons was flawless and thrilling. As is my wont, most every time I read a classic, I have to make a note about the way in which human nature and its intrinsic frailty is expounded upon in these great masterpieces we call novels. One reason (of many) that this is my favourite aspect of classic literature is that said theme(s) are that which my father + Scripture taught me at a young age.
There were many of these in Tenant, but some of my favourites are related to the dynamic between men and women, and the follies women are prone to fall into despite a highly red-flagged-should-dump-him-before-it’s-too-late “gentleman”. We tend to think that we can “fix” him, that our efforts to “change” him will be miraculous and have their intended effect. But more often than not, the man is not willing and never has been willing to change, and so our lives becoming living hell.
It is better to catch the red flags and say farewell before it is too late. The key in all this is understanding that we are not the ones who will do any change. It is possible that we can affect some change, but it is highly unlikely that everything we dislike about them will be done away with as a consequence of what often turns to nagging and a lack of respect.
mini-disclaimer/clarification
All this is different from seeing someone’s flaws, flaws that are not red flags, and knowing we can settle with those for the rest of our lives. If those improve, again, it will simply be a bonus in the wonderful life we are building together. (And yes, men are also sometimes guilty of this, but again, the results fall short.) This is why I am so grateful for the perspective my father and my faith gave me: marriage is a covenant between both parties and God. It is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit that will better and remedy the flaws we each carry. This is the sole cause of true, longstanding change.
Favourite Quotes
Persuasion, by Jane Austen
Yet another brilliant work of triumph from Queen Janey. I bought Persuasion back in TWENTY TWENTY, believe it or not. It was the final novel of Austen’s greatest works that I had yet to read. I have the nicest memories of reading it in between breaks at work, and marking it up with whatever pen was in reach, hence the multi-coloured nature of my annotations! :’) (Not pictured here, incoming to instagram tho ;)) Isn’t it nice that I’ll always have that when I reread it in the years to come?!
Plot
Anyway, this was simply a magnificent read. Once again, Austen set the scene with careful deliberation, introducing us to Anne Elliot and her quiet life, explaining the troubles of her past, and hinting at what was to come.
Whereas Tenant was meaty and chunky, Persuasion is unfortunately rather shorter, so I feel like in a sense, I have a less to say here without giving away any spoilers. So, I’ll say this: for its length, Austen of course excellently weaved together plot points, creating so much ever-loving tension which had me gasping for breath at times, and at the end of my rope at others :’)
Characters
What a cast of characters as well!! Antagonists were as well fleshed out as protagonists, and I ~really, really, really~ hated the elder Miss Elliot as much as I ~loved and adored~ our Anne.
Also, Anne is such a relatable overthinking queen. What a queen. The amount of times I underlined quotes that I simply felt on such a deeply personal level. :’)
Anne is also gifted with foresight, discernment, and an understanding of human nature. It is interestingly this characteristic of hers which juxtaposes that of the young Helen in Tenant. (It also certainly draws a paradox between Anne Elliot and Marianne Dashwood.) Where young Helen was smart to begin with, her self-righteousness and over-confidence shot her in the foot. Anne, though briefly tempted, is able to overcome, and overcome rather quickly.
Favourite Quotes
Captain Frederick Wentworth, you have stolen my heart and are officially tied for first place with the darling Mr. George Knightley.
Fin
Thank you for reading!! Have you read either of these two english lit classics?! They are 100%, without a doubt, some of my all time favourites now, and I could literally have written so much more about them. You neeeeed to read them if you haven’t already <3
p.s. let’s be friends on goodreads