Even though Tenant is my favourite Bronte book, I have to agree that the narrative structure is limiting. I wish she would have spliced the two perspectives in one and then we could go back and forth in time!
I'm reading Agnes Grey for the first time right now, and I found it a lot more like a Jane Austen novel, more understated. Agnes is kind of a Fanny/Anne mix in my mind. She has firm morals, people overlook her, and she is caring, quiet, and smart. I still need to read Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Villette. Looking forward to them!
I thought I was the only person who didn't like Wuthering Heights. 😕 I love Jane Eyre. My copy is marked and hilited. Now I really want to find a copy of Shirley!
I need to reread Jane Eyre - I really struggled with liking Rochester - but I had a guest on a recent podcast episode tell me that Rochester does get a redemption arc - so now I want to read it and watch for that! I'm not sure what order I'd put them in - but Agnes Grey is probably my favorite, with Villette, Jane Eyre, and Tenant of Wildfell Hall rounding out the top choices.
I want to reread all my favorites again! Not Wuthering Heights or the Professor though. Haha! Yes, it’s amazing to see how Rochester is a completely changed man. His character development is extreme.
What a fun video! My top three favorite Bronte books have got to be Jane Eyre (obviously!), The Professor (though I can understand why many wouldn’t like it), and Shirley. I haven’t read all of them yet, but am definitely looking forward to it!
1-2) Villette or Jane Eyre. Can't exactly decide. Villette is so much deeper, but Jane Eyre is love at first sight. 3) The tenant. 4) The professor 5) Agnes 6) Shirley (I ve read it only once, found it kind of bitter and chaotic)
My ranking is Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Agnes Gray, Wuthering Heights, and Shirley. However, Wuthering Heights is probably the best written and literary. I have yet to read the others.
Yes Wuthering Heights is dark, but captivatingly so. The setting and descriptions of the isolated, but entrancing moors throughout the seasons of wind, snow and rain are at least partially responsible for the darkness, as they at least partially shape what Catherine and Heathcliff become, aloof, self absorbed and destructive to themselves and others. Heathcliff, Catherine and Hindley are not likable but from their their destruction arise a more promising future for the next generation in young Catherine and Hareton. So, I like the build up in evil as the story unfolds but instead of ending in despair we see hope for the future as the new generation consciously breaks the cycle of evil and chooses to be better people instead becoming the next generation of wasted lives. Add to this the idea of being a ghost story too makes it my number 1 on the list. I really loved as well the feisty Jane of Jane Eyre Eyre and Helen of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. They took control after suffering and never gave up and forged their lives to the extent possible within the constraints imposed by society. As the father of two independently minded daughters and several grand daughters I liked Jane and Helen’s spunk and desire to be shapers of their fortune and not victims. Students are fortunate to have such an engaging knowledgeable teacher as you.
Even though Tenant is my favourite Bronte book, I have to agree that the narrative structure is limiting. I wish she would have spliced the two perspectives in one and then we could go back and forth in time!
I'm reading Agnes Grey for the first time right now, and I found it a lot more like a Jane Austen novel, more understated. Agnes is kind of a Fanny/Anne mix in my mind. She has firm morals, people overlook her, and she is caring, quiet, and smart. I still need to read Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Villette. Looking forward to them!
You are so right! We need more introverted main characters like Agnes and Fanny!
Late to this reply, but Agnes Grey is amazing. Love that you linked her with Fanny and Anne!
I thought I was the only person who didn't like Wuthering Heights. 😕 I love Jane Eyre. My copy is marked and hilited. Now I really want to find a copy of Shirley!
You can read Shirley for free on Project Gutenberg. Happy reading!
I need to reread Jane Eyre - I really struggled with liking Rochester - but I had a guest on a recent podcast episode tell me that Rochester does get a redemption arc - so now I want to read it and watch for that!
I'm not sure what order I'd put them in - but Agnes Grey is probably my favorite, with Villette, Jane Eyre, and Tenant of Wildfell Hall rounding out the top choices.
I want to reread all my favorites again!
Not Wuthering Heights or the Professor though. Haha!
Yes, it’s amazing to see how Rochester is a completely changed man. His character development is extreme.
What a fun video! My top three favorite Bronte books have got to be Jane Eyre (obviously!), The Professor (though I can understand why many wouldn’t like it), and Shirley. I haven’t read all of them yet, but am definitely looking forward to it!
Good timing-I need something for my next book club of classic literature.
My top four are Tenent of wildfell hall, agnes grey, Wuthering heights, then jane Eyre, and the professor. I have yet to read the others.
I was waiting for this one! Yeay! 😍
Yes Wuthering heights is brilliantly written piece but not a good story.
This was great. I'm going to have to re-read Jane Eyre. I just finished Agnes Grey this month and it was subdued but I enjoyed it.
Great reviews!
Wait - that cover of Jane Eyre looks familiar! It's actually the cover of my copy of Agnes Grey, isn't that strange??
Five stars for me would be 'Wuthering Heights.'
1-2) Villette or Jane Eyre. Can't exactly decide. Villette is so much deeper, but Jane Eyre is love at first sight.
3) The tenant.
4) The professor
5) Agnes
6) Shirley (I ve read it only once, found it kind of bitter and chaotic)
1. Wuthering Heights 2. Villette 3.Jane Eyre 4. Tenant of Wildfell Hall 5. Emily's Poetry 6. Agnes Grey 7. Shirley 8. The Professor
My ranking is Jane Eyre, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Agnes Gray, Wuthering Heights, and Shirley. However, Wuthering Heights is probably the best written and literary. I have yet to read the others.
Yes Wuthering Heights is dark, but captivatingly so. The setting and descriptions of the isolated, but entrancing moors throughout the seasons of wind, snow and rain are at least partially responsible for the darkness, as they at least partially shape what Catherine and Heathcliff become, aloof, self absorbed and destructive to themselves and others. Heathcliff, Catherine and Hindley are not likable but from their their destruction arise a more promising future for the next generation in young Catherine and Hareton. So, I like the build up in evil as the story unfolds but instead of ending in despair we see hope for the future as the new generation consciously breaks the cycle of evil and chooses to be better people instead becoming the next generation of wasted lives. Add to this the idea of being a ghost story too makes it my number 1 on the list. I really loved as well the feisty Jane of Jane Eyre Eyre and Helen of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. They took control after suffering and never gave up and forged their lives to the extent possible within the constraints imposed by society. As the father of two independently minded daughters and several grand daughters I liked Jane and Helen’s spunk and desire to be shapers of their fortune and not victims. Students are fortunate to have such an engaging knowledgeable teacher as you.
I really like The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but Helen's husband is the worst!! But I was glad she knew how to deal with him!😎💜📚
Well my favorite is Villette. I love Charlotte more than any other writer...even Jane Austen and she's my next
I don´t agree with your ranking ( I´d put Jane Eyre near the bottom) but I´m sure you are an inspiring teacher.