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Published in 1848, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the least well-known of
the Bront novels, but it is a very great account of a woman trapped in a
marriage she would not leave save for her fear of the moral influence of
her drunkard husband on their son. Even within the marriage she feels
like a single parent, while the father spoils their child, even offering him
sips of alcohol. It is hard that my little darling child should love him
more than me. Here is an example of her lonely confession to herself in
her diary, the long almost unshaped sentences reflecting her mess:
I am too grave to minister to his amuse-
ments and enter into his infantile sports asa nurse or a mother ought to do, and often
his bursts of gleeful merriment trouble and
alarm me; I see in them his fathers spirit
and temperament, and I tremble for the
consequences; and, too often, damp the in-
nocent mirth I ought to share. That father
on the contrary has no weight of sadness
in his mind is troubled with no fears, no
scruples concerning his sons future welfare
therefore, of course, the child dotes upon
his seemingly joyous, amusing, ever in-
dulgent papa, and will at any time gladly
exchange my company for his. This disturbs
me greatly; not so much for the sake of my sons affection
(though I do prize that highly, and though I feel it is my right,
and know I have done much to earn it), as for that influence
over him which, for his own advantage, I would strive to pur-
chase and retain, and which for very spite his father delights
to rob me of, and, from motives of mere idle egotism, is pleasedto win to himself, making no use of it but to torment me, and
ruin the child. (Chapter 37)
READERS CONNECT
ANNE BRONT,
THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL
WITH
OXFORD WORLDS CLASSICS
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READERS CONNECT
THE JURY
STAR RATINGS***** one of best books Ive ever read
**** one of the best Ive read this year*** highly recommended** worth reading* not for me but worth trying0 - dont bother
Jo Cannon is a Sheff ield GP and short story writer.
Toxic love. Valiant self-control. A marriage, then aman, disintegrates. I was gripped by the intricate,timeless emotions. Helens precision of speech wasenviable. Suspense and a feel-good ending makeTenant a great read.* * * *
Lynne Hatwell (dovegreyreader) is a Devon-basedcommunity nurse
This book places Anne Bront deservedly centre-
stage: alcoholism, gambling and drugs and theresulting emotional and physical abuse will keepyou turning the pages and reflecting on its uncannyparallels to life for many even today.* * *
Drummond Moir, once of Edinburgh, works for aLondon-based publisher
I wasnt sure about this the plots quite slow. If youalready love Victorian fiction and want somethingoff the beaten track, this is definitely worth a try.*
Tom Sperlinger directs English courses for LifelongLearning at Bristol University
Tenant gives a compelling account of living withsomeone in the grip of an addiction. Helen ischarmed by her husband before marriage, but thenfeels shame, fear, guilt, and resignation at his behav-iour. A richly imagined, grimly moving book.* * *
Sarah Turvey runs reading groups in London prisons
Marital breakdown, alcohol addiction, and theologi-cal questions of salvation and damnation are daringthemes for a nineteenth-century woman novelist. Butoverall the novel is awkwardly structured, and thecharacters never quite come alive.* *