Reviews

3.5 stars

First, what I didn't like. I was drawn in by the relationship between Gilbert and Mrs. Graham, because I was certain it would eventually implode, and I found the actual outcome improbable. Gilbert is incredibly immature -

Spoiler

he insists he doesn't believe the rumors about his friend, but then when it looks like they may in fact be true, instead of ASKING her about it, he goes on a violent rampage.

I was dead positive his toddler-like behavior and judgmental attitude toward her just because he was mad they weren't together, would destroy their romance. I also couldn't believe he had never shown red flags toward her that made her want to back off.

On the plus side, Mrs. Graham is a great character. Bronte gradually evolves her from a naïve teenager to a principled woman. I was quite frustrated at times because she held herself to incredible standards while forgiving those who hurt her over and over, sometimes even to the point that her magnanimity led her to keep secrets she should have exposed for someone else's sake. (To be fair, the social expectations and legal constraints of the time didn't leave her with much choice to do otherwise in regard to her own situation, and perfect characters are boring anyway.) But she had amazing fortitude to do it with such grace.

Spoiler

And ultimately, it is clear that she has self-respect, she will stand up for herself, and her forgiving attitude is not weakness.

One thing I enjoyed plot-wise was the portrayal of her marriage: her naivete in marrying her husband, and the slow dissolution of her hopes as he shows his true character. But even the husband isn't simplistically shown as a mustache-twirling "bad guy": he seems to feel something half-genuine at times, or believe he does, but drowns anything redeeming he has in selfishness and a victimized mentality. The other was the familiarity of people's nosiness about any newcomer who is a little odd, and how snotty some people can get, how they find a weakness they can exploit to spread gossip about someone. The book was written about a century and a half ago, but it pretty well depicts small-minded gossip culture.

I'd say it's worth reading (if the author's name doesn't get you) for the social criticism about 19th-century norms related to marriage, and Mrs. Graham's excellent delineation as a character. As a romance, I didn't buy it. Gilbert is a blockhead and not anywhere near good enough for her.

Spoiler

Am I the only one who thought he resembled Philip from My Cousin Rachel, by Daphne du Maurier? Anybody?

lornamckween's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

zquill's review against another edition

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4.0

For a book that concerns itself so with the appropriate behavior of men and with Helen being the vessel of such concern, having Gilbert somehow be the right choice after he nearly murdered her brother in a pique makes little sense. But I’m impressed especially with Helen’s narrative and how it sparks sympathy in the reader.

chloeauden's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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