Ranking the Bronte Novels
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- In this video, I rank the novels of Emily Bronte, Anne Bronte, and Charlotte Bronte, some of the best classic novels ever written in my opinion!
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Let me know what you think of my ranking, and let me know how you would rate the books below.
PS: Sorry for all the Agnes Grey lovers out there, but that book just really wasn't for me! :P
let’s go team introverts
Such an interesting rating, very different from most others I've seen so far. I haven't read Shirley yet, so my ranking is as follows:
6. The Professor
5. Agnes Grey
4. Villette
3. Jane Eyre
2. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
1. Wuthering Heights
It's interesting to hear your thoughts on Agnes Grey. I'm a teacher, which is not exactly a governess. However, I did find things I could relate to when it comes to dealing with children and their parents. A bit outdated, yes, but still on point, albeit in a different setting and with modern problems. Not a great book though, very naive in many ways and you can tell it was her first. I actually found The Professor extremely preachy and I didn't find him shy at all, rather snobbish, condescending and patronizing, especially towards women. He just had to make a rude comment on literally everything, from his students' appearance to their religious beliefs and their intellect. Anyway, it was great to hear some thoughts that differ from mine. Love this video! :)
@@LanaCelebic Not a bad ranking! I take your point about being a teacher and Agnes Grey; I guess there are some connecting dots between those two professions!
As for the Professor, that is true, although i took his snobbishness and patronizing nature to be symptoms of his being quite insecure socially and also in terms of having a very shaky social standing; not quite aristocrat, not quite man of business. It's definitely an interesting look at at a very particular kind of position to be in at any rate, and not one you get in many other books.
Nice to hear your thoughts! :)
1) Villette. I find it a very deep book and at parts even better than Jane Eyre. I like the psychological insight, the existentialism, the lyricism. I agree it could be a little shorter and I like that Lucy has all that sharp edges. It makes her real.
2) Jane Eyre. I just love this book. Despite Jane's hardships it is the sense of humour, the sexiness, the love that stays in your mind. It feels like you are 18 and in love and have no care in the world. At least that is what I retained most from the novel although jane is rarely carefree.
3) The tenant. I like the story and Helen. I always have trouble going back to the story after the diary finishes.
4) Wuthering heights. I like the gory details and heathcliff has some great romantic lines but it is not a story that I would come back to. The fact that I don't sympathise with the heroes is a problem for me. Tha is why I like Charlotte the most. She was the most personal one.
5) The professor. I have read it only once. Not bad, not great. And very different to Villette. Thankfully its rejection led to Villette.
6) Shirley. Also read it only once. It is quite bitter at points and I don't like much luis moore for Shirley.
I forgot to say about Villette that lucy is an enigma and the novel definitely needs rereading. I also found that I was bored near the middle and wondered why I was reading this and then realised that Charlotte was going for deeper realism: if I, as a reader, found Lucy's life unbearable, how was she going to live it? And kept reading to find out.
If you read the biography of Anne by Edward Chitham, who did a lot of research into the families Anne worked for, you will see that Anne was rather understated about those families: they were several times worse. I felt the same way you did when I first read "Agnes Grey", but did re-read it several times. You will find, on re-reading, a quiet, twig-dry sense of humor, and you will see that Agnes has much more to her than on first read (also, for anyone who works as, say, a janitor, or a nurse, or an administrative assistant, this book will strike some VERY familiar notes, and is still relevant when it comes to employer/employee relations).
I agree about Wuthering Heights having hilarious moments; the characters are just too much lol the first time I read the book I took it very seriously but when I re-read it I thought some parts were quite hilarious. Joseph for example cracks me up ! He's just too much 😅
Yes, Joseph is rather laughable, particularly when giving his fire and brimstone lectures and telling certain characters, "They'll go straight t'devil."
Wow! So glad I found you. This is the kind of booktube channel that I love. I was suggested your Steppenwolfe video just now probably because i just made a similar video on my channel. Very impressed by what you have going on here and can't wait to watch more!
Thank you, I'm glad you liked it. I'll be sure to take a look at your Steppenwolf video too! :)
Great video.
I have read only one novel by each Bronte sister and my ranking is similar to yours:
Wuthering Heights >> The Tenant of Wildfell Hall > Jane Eyre.
Wuthering Heights is one of my all-time favourite classics.
That's a good ranking for those three. Wuthering Heights is fascinating; I find new things in it every time I pick it up again, which I do, at least once every winter! :)
Hey my guy ..I love your reviews. U did such exceptional job. I was on the fence on reading some. Now I will, especially Tenant of windfall halls. And Jane Earye
Tenant of windfall halls"?
Great choices! ❤️
Loved this video!
Loved this video! So far I have only read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Loved them both . So far Wuthering Heights is one of my all time Favorite books. I have been wanting to read more of the Brontes but didn’t know where to start. Your video has helped me a lot. Thank You!
Glad you found the video helpful! If you want an easier read, go with The Tenant of Wildfell, but if you want a true challenge, then definitely Villette. It's tough, but worth it, especially for the final chapters.
At first I was kinda mad that you put Agnes Grey at the last spot because it is just a really easy and uplifting story but I do agree with your reasoning of Agnes not being a very complex character and the moralist aspect, but what I liked about this moralist perspective is that it's very personal to Anne. Its especially present in Weston who really represents the moral ideal that Anne feels every christian should strive towards... and as the daughter of a pastor it's really interesting how she shows what being a good christian means, especially when you compare it to The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall where she shows a woman leaving her husband despite that not being accepted in a christian society... but it is still morally right in Anne's perspective and I just feel like she's very attached to religion and uses her books to do this social commentary about it and I think Agnes Grey was kind of the foundation on which she could build The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. She could probably have given Agnes more personality but I don't think it was her intention, I feel like she wrote it to talk about the social commentary on governesses and their place in the family, as well as her own reflexions on religion.
I do agree with Wuthering Heights being number one although I personally prefer The Tenant of Wildfell Hall just because I like the characters better and I would actually like to know them whereas I would not like to have the characters of Wuthering Heights anywhere near my family
Yes I agree with the "gypsy" scene in JANE. Not needed. And in many of the filmed adaptations they leave it out. good ranking. i haven't read them all but i will seek out The Professor. Thanks as always Joshua for you insight.
BTW do you have a business email? so if someone wanted to send you a UK Amazon card for the Holidays :)
I would like to see them try and do the gypsy scene though haha! :P Let me know what you think of The Professor if/when you manage to read it! :)
I 100% agree with all of your ranking. A very enjoyable chat through the Brontes
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :)
Started listening to Villette, four hours in and am really enjoying it!
Had to go back and watch what you had said about it.
I have always been introverted and found that section interesting.
That's excellent, I am glad you are enjoying it. :)
Great video, thanks!
You're very welcome!
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall Have you seen the film ‘Emily’ (2022)? It’s a great film which led me to your video and now reading Wuthering Heights
@@yippiekiay961 No I haven't. Not generally a fan of biopic-type films, but I'm glad it led you to a great book!
Joshua, you mentioned the gypsy scene. This is my take on it because Mr Rochester masqueraded as a gypsy fortune teller to test out the female members of the party. Most notably, he was comparing Blanche Ingram and Jane Eyre's reactions. Tell me if I am wrong, but he was caught between marrying Blanche Ingram, whom society expects him to marry, and marrying Jane, who he truly loves but would be met by society's disappoval because "she was only a governess." I think he made his mind up in that scene. One is not shown the scene between Bl
anche and the gypsy, but she obviously didn't like what she was told and seemed offended. My guess is that Blanche revealed herself to be the shallow mercenary person she was.When it was Jane's turn, we see from the outset that she did not take it at all seriously compared to the other ladies who did. It did not take her long to see through the act and realise it was Mr Rochester. It must have impressed him more than ever about her. She was very perceptive, but she also displayed more of her outspoken honesty. I always thought of this as a good part of the plot.
In addition, I think Mr Rochester was having a joke at the expense of the Ingrams by telling their fortunes in the guise of a gypsy.
While I understand your criticisms of Agnes Grey, I disagree that it isn’t relatable now - I have worked as a nanny and a preschool teacher and I found quite a bit of it to be relatable. Not nearly to Agnes’s extent, though. :)
I feel so sad! I found a copy of Villette years ago and just like you got through a bit and then put it down… then a few years later I picked it up again and very much enjoyed Lucy's mental breakdown and then the book just felt so dry and boring I had to put it down again… I decided it just wasn’t for me and donated it back to the thrift store… but you’ve made me want to pick it up again!! Hopefully a copy will serendipitously find me again one day just like an element out of a Charlotte Brontë Book haha My top 3 would be 1) Jane Eyre (love even the cheesy bits) 2) Wuthering Heights (so vividly atmospheric and haunting) 3) The Tenant of WH (love the Universalist theologizing (I also love that in Jane Eyre) but not the eye-rolling moralizing). Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your comment. I hope Villette finds its way back to you and you enjoy it all the way through if it does! :)
If you hadn't put Wuthering Heights as the top spot I would've started questioning you're judgement 😂 That being said now I know which Bronte novel to save for last 👀......im looking at you Agnes lol
Hahah, when you get to it, tell me what you think! :)
In all honesty, to an extent, I am just like you; - I, also, love the Brontë sisters (&, my favourite novel of them is: Wuthering Heights)!
However, seeing that you detest Agnes Grey, I must say that, I am rather interested in knowing about what are your thoughts of: Jane Austen? for, the writing-style, in my opinion, is extremely similar to that of Anne Brontë (in particular, her first novel: Agnes Grey). 😅
By-&-bye, - not that you’re interested! 😅🥲😭 - but my favourite authors are: Charles Dickens (A Christmas Carol), Brontë Sisters (Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, & The Tenant Of Windfell Hall), Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice), & Mary Ann Evans (Silas Marner).
I actually think Jane Austen is fantastic. I don't dislike Anne Bronté either, just Agnes Grey. Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a fantastic book for sure.
Also, judging from your favourites, you have impeccable taste! :)
Charlotte actually said that Shirley's character was Emily if she had had an easier life.
I love how in-depth the commentary is, although I disagree with some of it. Being a fan of the Brontë sisters myself, my ranking from least favorite to most favorite would be: The Professor, Agnes Grey, Shirley, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Villette. Although I understand the superiority of Wuthering Heights in many aspects (I love this book!), Charlotte's writing style and her heroines are still my favorites. Great video!
I found Heathclif's son funny, the way he was always complaining.
It is hilarious I suppose in it's way but my god, could you imagine if you were related to him?
I laughed when Heathcliff called him a little cobweb
Great video. I think The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was a bit too repetitive with the whole 'terrible marriage moments' for me. It was definitely ahead of its time, but the characters were quite forgettable. Jane Eyre & Wuthering Heights are my favourite books in life 😊
I think you are right there on Tenant being a bit repetitive. I do love the book and think it's a little underrated, but it does drag a little and maybe lacks the passion of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Villette. Thanks for your thoughts! :)
Tenant of Wildfall Hall is my favorite.
And I also think Agnes Grey is great.
I loveeee Jane Eyre but Villette is so good ! I've just finished reading it and it's become my favourite Brontë book next to Wuthering Heights. Charlotte is my favourite Brontë sister and Anne my least favourite.
For me it is definitely Enily and Wuthering Heights. That said I think I need to reread Villette. I think it's an understated masterpiece. :)
I see "Agnes Grey" as better and "Wuthering Heights" lesser than you see them, but other than that we agree on all the placements.
Charlotte Brontë is my 7th favorite author and my favorite female author. The only woman to write a book in my top ten books of all time.
7) "Vilette" by Charlotte Brontë
68) "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
139) "The Professor” by Charlotte Brontë
163) "Shirley" by Charlotte Brontë
20) "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" by Anne Brontë
97) "Agnes Grey" by Anne Brontë
173) "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
The idea of "Wuthering Heights" seemed far more logical in "ElfQuest" than in this weird look at the next generation. About the only aspect seemingly interesting was whether he was nuts to think she interacts with him from the land of the dead or no. "Agnes Grey" was the story of many people who let things happen to them rather than working to get what they want.
The 1943 "Jane Eyre" is the best movie version of this story.
FAVORITE AUTHORS must have two books in the top 100 books of all time.
1) Leo Tolstoy (Resurrection)
2) Ivan Turgenev (Fathers and Sons)
3) James A. Michener (Chesapeake)
4) Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich)
5) Fyodor Dostoevsky (The Idiot)
6) C. S. Lewis (The Magician's Nephew)
7) Charlotte Brontë (Vilette)
8) J. R. R. Tolkien (The Hobbit)
9) Isaac Asimov (Foundation and Empire)
10) Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice)
11) Mark Twain (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)
12 Anne Brontë (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)
13) George Eliot (Silas Marner)
14) Anthony Trollope (He Knew He Was Right)
15) Dr. Burrhus Frederic (B. F.) Skinner (Verbal Behavior)
16) Charles Dickens (Hard Times)
17) Thomas Hardy (Jude the Obscure)
Agnes Grey above Wuthering Heights! Madness! ;) I do appreciate your love of Villette though, if there is only one book by a female author on your top ten, that's definitely a great candidate. :)
@@JoshuaJClarkeKelsall, "Agnes Grey" is the story of 99.75% of all female humans in regards to love. They see themselves as unable to make a change in the dynamic, so it is up to him.
Wuthering Heights is a man who was stupid seeing if an intellectual disabled man (his son) can do better than an image of himself as the stupid idiot. His scheme would have solved nothing (see how I wrote he "was stupid" and that's cause he never got smarter as he aged) as women are different. If you want that story in a nutshell done right then read "ElfQuest" as there is a half breed who wants to know which side of him is better the troll or elf side of him and his idea was spot on for comparison.
"Vilette" by Charlotte is the best of the seven novels by the three sisters: "psychological depths never attempted in fiction before and became, unwittingly, a landmark in the depiction of states of mind and self-perception, a thoroughly, peculiarly and disturbingly modernist novel."
Couldn't say it better than that, but...
G. H. Lewes wrote: "Currer Bell (Charlotte Brontë) has no living rival, except George Sand. Hers is the passionate heart to feel, and the powerful brain to give feeling shape; and that is why she is so original, so fascinating."
George Eliot having published nothing at the time stated: "a still more wonderful book than 'Jane Eyre.' There is something almost preternatural in its power." "Vilette! Vilette! have you read it?"
And as for "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" Anne showed there the reality of man in that he attacks without provocation anyone he feels able to outdo him in the woman he loves and sees himself as wanting to be the hero and if she is above him (monetarily in this case) he backs down worried as if she is somehow three feet taller than him or she is so amazingly intellectually better that he has no chance. Anne is also the best poet of the three too. I have only seen three of her poems and all of both her sisters. Those three poems by Anne has such power that one of them is worth more than all the rest of the other two sisters poems.
a dreadful darkness closes in, on my bewildered mind; O let me suffer and not sin, be tortured yet resigned.
Through all this world of whelming mist, still let me look to thee, and give me courage to resist, the tempter till he flee.
Weary I am - O give me strength, and leave me not to faint; say thou wilt comfort me at length, and pity my complaint.
This poem by Ann was in the biography of Charlotte and the poem in "Agnes Grey" is even better, but again either one is worth more than all the complete poems of either of the two sisters of Ann.
I found the last section of 'The Professor' very weak indeed. Had it ended at the wedding it would have been more satisfactory, the jump from 'real time' narrative to retrospective description is jarring and unnecessary. I would put 'Agnes Grey' well above the former.
Came for the (excellent) burr,
stayed for the (also quite excellent) Bronte
👍👍👏👏
You must look at the novels in context
I think alot of people would agree and swap 2 and 4.
I think you're probably right, but I think there all probably wrong! :P
Wuthering Heights is a one off masterpiece of plotting and original characterisation. There is no one in literature like Heathcliff. Jane Eyre is Cinderella in the Victorian age. The awful Virtue Rewarded theme is very tedious.
thanks for spoiling …
I'm sorry, although perhaps it is unwise to watch videos discussing in depth that you haven't read.
You actually can't spoil a novel that's been out for a century 🤣