111. Villette

Villette
Charlotte Bronte
1853
Around 500 pages

Hello, everyone!  Once again, I am back after a reading break that included Life of Pi and One Hundred Years of Solitude.  But now I have returned and now have about ten reviews to write for each of my blogs.  I am also still battling jet lag, which means I have to pause and stare into space for ten seconds after every sentence.  This might take awhile.

I absolutely loved Jane Eyre and absolutely hated Shirley so for me, this was the novel that would decide once and for all how I felt about Charlotte Bronte.  Wow, that was a well constructed sentence.  In any case, this book tipped the scales in Charlotte's favor.

Villette is narrated by Lucy Snowe, an extremely passive person that is described by another character
as being "inoffensive as a shadow."  In this way she is reminiscent of Fanny Price of Mansfield Park, although in this case Lucy is not rewarded for her meekness and instead is largely ignored by the other characters.

Lucy stays with her godmother after her family seemingly dies in a catastrophe that is never described.  Lucy begins to have feelings for her godmother's son, Graham, but she is largely ignored by him and is forced to watch while Graham falls in love with women who possess stronger characters.  Isn't that wonderful?  I know this book was written by a woman, but it still cool to get away from the romance tropes that we see in virtually every book on this list.

This is the last Bronte novel on The List, which I am sincerely sad about.  I am also sincerely sad that I spent the last two minutes trying to end that sentence without a preposition and failed.  Is it too early to take another nap?

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Oh my god, I forgot to mention the creepy nun scenes.  Every once and awhile, Lucy seems the ghost of a nun who was buried alive for breaking her vow of chastity.  Sweet dreams.

Lucy heavily denounces the Catholic Church throughout the novel ("God is not with Rome!").

UP NEXT: Bleak House by Charles Dickens.  He's baaccckk.

103. Shirley

Shirley
Charlotte Bronte
1849
Around 600 pages

So I have been watching the poll and it looks like Charlotte may come out ahead.  I, however, have been rooting for Anne, especially after this terrible novel.  Also, I am hoping Emily will at least get one vote, because I feel sorry for her. So, for this holiday season, find it in your hearts to give to a Bronte sister in need.

Charlotte begins her book by saying this to the reader: "Do you anticipate sentiment, and poetry, and reverie?  Do you expect passion, and stimulus, and melodrama?  Calm your expectations; reduce them to a lowly standard."  Basically, she is warning us that the book isn't going to be very exciting.  I, of course, ignored this warning because it was so well written.  Charlotte also begins some of chapters with a short subtitle, one of which was "in which the reader would be well advised to skip."  So she is pretty much constantly telling us that her book is boring.  I guess I only have myself to blame for not liking it.

The writing style is interesting enough.  Charlotte writes in second person, as if she is there the entire time.  For example, she introduces us to characters having dinner then asks us to step out in the hallway for a second while she tells us about them while they are talking.  It was an interesting way of narrating but I think it just showed that Charlotte is better at writing in first person, like in Jane Eyre.

The story follows the love triangle between Robert Moore, who is seeking financial redemption, the rich heiress Shirley, and the meek Caroline.  None of these characters are particularly intriguing in their qualities or actions and it always clear to the reader what every should be doing if they were less stupid.  This can be true with a lot of good novels, but my copy was 700 pages, which is a bit harder to endure.

A disappointing end to the Bronte reign but we still had some good times.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Panned by critics.

Led to the popularity of the name Shirley for a girl which was previously an unpopular boys' name.

Available online here.

UP NEXT: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. NOOOOO

98. Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
1847
Around 600 pages

This is the last post I have to write before I am completely caught up (I haven't read Agnes Gray but the rest of the novels lately have been favorites).  I am hope I am not too tired to do justice to one of the greatest love stories of all time.

The novel follows Jane Eyre, a plain girl who was abused by her aunt and cousins.  I personally love the fact that she is not that attractive since every heroine seems to be the most beautiful angel in the entire world.  It is not hard to fall in love with beautiful people.  It is a lot more interesting to read about a relationship that is not based on pure physical attraction (watching one on television however…).

Anyway, Jane becomes the governess of Thornfield Hall and falls in love with her boss, Mr. Rochester.  Unfortunately, Rochester has a secret, one that could destroy their relationship.  Dah dah DAH!

I first tried this novel in eighth grade and remember thinking that it was upsetting and dull.  I tried it again in high school and fell in love with it.  So I can understand why it would not appeal to some people.  But like I said, after reading love story after love story where the girl is gorgeous and the guy is a hero and the only conflict comes from outside, it was nice to read something entirely difference.

Great dialogue, great story, and great characters.  How many more raves do we have in store for us?

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

What was the deal with Mr. Rochester dressing up like a woman, though?  Like what?

Many elements of Gothic fiction were used in this novel.

Jane Eyre's life mirrors Charlotte Bronte's in numerous ways.

Trailer:

UP NEXT: Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte