A little sheepishly I write this blog not having read the book. Having said that I do want to read it as it sounds fascinating. Written from two perspectives - that of the heroines, through her diary, and that of her intrigued neighbour/lover. A mysterious stranger Helen Graham is living at Wildfell Hall with her young son, no one knows anything about her or where she comes from. Gilbert Markham a young farmer begins to casually court her. Helen is however still married, rather than tell Gilbert why she is no longer with her husband, she gives him her diaries to read. The second part of the book, written as a diary, details 'Helen's' seduction by Arthur Huntingdon, who once married to her takes up again his dissolute life of drink, drugs and women and his equally dissolute friends. It is for their son and to remove him from his father's amoral care that Helen flees the marital home. The third part of the book finishes with Helen caring for the dying Arthur, and the final reconcile between Helen and Gilbert.
What was shocking about the book when it was first published was the independence that Helen shows by 'running' away from her husband at a time when women were the property of their husbands. It also dealt with themes of alcoholism and the destructive nature of drugs. Piety, redemption and God loom large in the book - Anne being the most religious of the Bronte sisters who believe in the redemptive powers of the Lord. We had an excellent discussion about the book, most enjoying the fluidity of the writing, the interesting characterization and the themes the book covers. I wil,l I promise, read it!
Words used to describe it: remarkably modern, beautifully written, piously intriguing, ground breaking, laborious. Marks out of 10 - a remarkably consistent 6-8, 8 being the 5 out 6 people's vote!
Just to mention that one member read the other book suggested: The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides and said it was excellent.
Next Book
Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho
Next meeting
17th July at 127 Harbord St, hosted by Judy.
