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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Penguin Clothbound Classics) Hardcover – June 7, 2016
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A beautiful clothbound edition of Anne Brontë's most enduring novel, to accompany her sisters' greatest books in Penguin Hardcover Classics
Gilbert Markham is deeply intrigued by Helen Graham, a beautiful and secretive young woman who has moved into nearby Wildfell Hall with her young son. He is quick to offer Helen his friendship, but when her reclusive behaviour becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, Gilbert begins to wonder whether his trust in her has been misplaced. Anne Brontë's bold novel is an exploration of a woman's struggle for creative freedom and domestic independence that caused a scandal upon publication and continues to speak powerfully almost 170 years afters its publication.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
- Print length576 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Classics
- Publication dateJune 7, 2016
- Dimensions5.3 x 1 x 8 inches
- ISBN-10024119895X
- ISBN-13978-0241198957
- Lexile measure1190L
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About the Author
Stevie Davies (Introduction and Notes), who comes from Morriston, Swansea, is a novelist, literary critic, biographer, and historian. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, a Fellow of the Academi Gymreig, and a professor of creative writing at the University of Wales, Swansea.
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin Classics (June 7, 2016)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 576 pages
- ISBN-10 : 024119895X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0241198957
- Lexile measure : 1190L
- Item Weight : 1.5 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.3 x 1 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #507,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,813 in Gothic Fiction
- #12,877 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #26,566 in Literary Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Anne Brontë (17 January 1820 – 28 May 1849) was an English novelist and poet, the youngest member of the Brontë literary family.
At 19 she left Haworth and worked as a governess between 1839 and 1845. After leaving her teaching position, she fulfilled her literary ambitions. She published a volume of poetry with her sisters and two novels. Agnes Grey, based upon her experiences as a governess, was published in 1847. Her second and last novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is considered to be one of the first sustained feminist novels, appeared in 1848. Like her poems, both her novels were first published under the masculine pen name of Acton Bell. Anne's life was cut short when she died of what is now suspected to be pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 29.
Partly because the re-publication of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was prevented by Charlotte Brontë after Anne's death, she is not as well known as her sisters. However, her novels, like those of her sisters, have become classics of English literature.
(Derivative of "Anne Brontë", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Brontë, CC BY-SA 3.0)
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Customers find this novel compelling and praise its well-developed characters and psychological depth, with one review noting its engaging descriptions of internal struggles. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its courage, with one customer describing it as a strong-minded woman's story. However, the writing quality receives mixed reactions, with some loving it while others find it unreadable. Additionally, several customers describe the book as tedious beyond belief.
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Customers enjoy the storyline of this novel, finding it compelling and worthwhile to read, with several mentioning they enjoyed watching the TV series adaptation.
"Anne Brontë provides an excellent slice of Victoriana in this insightful novel, worthy to stand beside the more famous works of her older sisters...." Read more
"...I found most of the story riveting and was outraged at the situation of women in a society where very few resources were available to them when..." Read more
"...but the multi-layered narrative also offers us a thrilling love story replete with charm, anguish, suspense and humor...." Read more
"...So historically speaking, I found this an interesting and compassionate novel...." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's psychological depth, with one customer highlighting its engaging descriptions of internal struggles and another noting its beautifully emotional love story.
"...of Helen Lawrence Huntingdon (aka Mrs. Graham), a strong, spirited, modern sort of woman...." Read more
"...narrative also offers us a thrilling love story replete with charm, anguish, suspense and humor...." Read more
"...The character analyses, relational dynamics, and the emotions able to be elicited in the reader made this a book I could not put down...." Read more
"...I love her turns of phrase, her dialogues on love and faith, her insights on addiction and the belief of the time about “real manhood”..." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting the forthright female protagonist.
"...She writes in a much more realistic style. Her characters are real, always consistent in their speech and their actions, and the situations in which..." Read more
"...The character analyses, relational dynamics, and the emotions able to be elicited in the reader made this a book I could not put down...." Read more
"...ability to understand human nature and emotions that helps develop their characters so well and gives insight into them from which vantage point we..." Read more
"...Heights" the plot is highly contrived, but the characters read as a bit more real, and there is a little more sense of the real concerns of people..." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's courage, with one noting it as the most talented of the Bronte sisters, while another describes it as an intense story of a strong-minded woman.
"...Anne's book is an entirely different yet equally intense story of an strong-minded woman...." Read more
"...told through the eyes of her suitor Gilbert Markham, is one of courage, weakness, fidelity, integrity. ...." Read more
"...The real reason to read the book is its uniquely interesting heroine...." Read more
"...of her time in saying that this is wrong and makes her heroine both courageous and compassionate. It is my favorite of the Bronte sisters' stories...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book, with some loving it and being impressed by the language, while others find it absolutely unreadable.
"...commendation for Anne Brontë's development of her characters, the dialogue, and the plot...." Read more
"...It was a little hard to read at first as the writing was of that era, in fact I had started and then stopped reading it a few years ago...." Read more
"...At the same time, if you liked the florid language and beautiful descriptions of places from the novels of the other Bronte sisters, you'll find..." Read more
"...Yes the novel is wordy and flowery but to someone who loves the English language and envisions a young woman hunched over a desk with ink pen in hand..." Read more
Customers find the book difficult to read, describing it as tedious beyond belief, with one customer noting it takes a bit to get your bearings.
"...the long drawn portion near the end--very repetitous and tedious for about a 100 pages; otherwise this would be a 5 star novel." Read more
"and prodigious. This was very difficult and wordy of a read. I expect each few months to digest a classic read. It is done. Barb" Read more
"...to all be written in letters to various people, so it takes a bit to get your bearings. Any one of the Brontes is well written." Read more
"...Overall well-written, but tedious." Read more
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2011Anne Brontë provides an excellent slice of Victoriana in this insightful novel, worthy to stand beside the more famous works of her older sisters. Actually she reminds me more of Jane Austen than she does of Charlotte and Emily Brontë, because the Gothic elements which her sisters are noted for are lacking in Anne's novels. She writes in a much more realistic style. Her characters are real, always consistent in their speech and their actions, and the situations in which they act are believable. The author delves into subjects which were forbidden, or at least frowned, upon in her time, and critical reaction at the time was frequently harshly condemnatory. Actually, this tends to make the novel seem more modern than would be expected.
The book breaks neatly into three parts. The first section shows the growing curiosity of the neighborhood into the background of an attractive new lady, a Mrs. Graham, who is occupying (with her young son) a part of the mostly unlivable old ruin Wildfell Hall. Young farmer Gilbert Markham becomes intrigued with this fascinating woman, whom he finds so much more interesting than the young girl that he formerly was fond of. Perhaps in retaliation, the girl, along with other gossips, begins to spread rumors about the mysterious stranger. Gilbert stands by her until he witnesses a scene which leads him to believe that she is indeed carrying on an affair with the owner of the Hall. To prove to Gilbert that she is innocent, Mrs. Graham gives him her diary to read.
The second part of the book reveals the contents of that diary. Young Helen Lawrence knows that the rich and handsome Arthur Huntingdon has some faults, but she refuses to accept the warnings of her aunt, convinced that he is basically good and that she will be able to gradually lead him into better habits after their marriage. As time passes, however, and his ardor cools, she discovers that she has made a serious mistake. Her husband sinks ever lower into dissipation and infidelity. She is passionately devoted to her young son, also named Arthur, but she is repelled by the way her husband and his undesirable companions are corrupting the child, and determines to flee with him. She eventually succeeds in doing so, with the help of her brother, who now owns Wildfell Hall.
The third section deals with occurrences after the events described in the diary. It is a long and tortuous way that Gilbert must travel before he finally is able to meet Helen again to attempt to reestablish the love that had begun to grow between them before she went back to her husband to nurse him during his final illness, brought on by his own depravity.
I have the highest commendation for Anne Brontë's development of her characters, the dialogue, and the plot. Especially enjoyable is the characterization of Helen Lawrence Huntingdon (aka Mrs. Graham), a strong, spirited, modern sort of woman. Far better than in her first novel, AGNES GREY, Anne Brontë skillfully builds suspense, increasing the emotional levels within her creatures till they approach the breaking point. There is a tendency to want to forge ahead more quickly, even when we are pretty sure what is going to happen eventually. There are a few surprises in the book, but they always are quickly understood to reflect the sure and consistent characterizations that she has created. I think that anyone who is fond of Jane Austen and the other Brontës will enjoy THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2012It has been a couple of months since I read this, and it has taken this long to formulate a review in my head. What to say about such a dense and draining story? Our protagonist is a long-suffering and hapless victim of a charming, handsome and initially romantic man turned brute once marriage vows are exchanged.
Helen Graham starts as an innocent, albeit strong-willed girl of good breeding who has no trouble fending off undesirable (read boring) suitors much to the chagrin of her upright and unyielding religious aunt. She favors instead the roguish charms of Arthur Huntingdon, who rescues her from one such undesirable suitor at a social gathering. She is smitten, and abides boorish behavior from him (he snatches from her a painting she has made of him, thus embarrassing her) and ends up marrying him, assuring her disapproving aunt that she knows what she is doing. Alas, she does not. As the marriage progresses, she endures increased boorish behavior from him and his frequent rowdy guests, infidelities that take place in their own house, drunkenness and extended absences with false promises of speedy returns. Helen's consolation is their little son, and a sympathetic housekeeper; she escapes into artwork to while away the dreary days of her existence. When her husband becomes violent she plots escape.
I found most of the story riveting and was outraged at the situation of women in a society where very few resources were available to them when trapped in an abusive marriage. She suffers the derision and criticism of ignorant vilagers as she is bound to silence regarding her true situation. This makes Helen's courageous stand doubly courageous. There are numerous biblical references, so many that it bogged the story down a bit for me though given my background (I was sent to a private Christian Academy for most of elementary and half of high school years) I didn't really need to read all of the explanatory footnotes. I did, however, need to read other footnotes. It was distracting but I feel I have received quite an education with this Broadview edition. This must be what is used for college students when assigned this book to read.
For those looking for more of a taste of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" (as I was), you won't find a similar story here! Anne's book is an entirely different yet equally intense story of an strong-minded woman. Depending on your view of Christianity, you may or may not become exasperated with Helen's eternal goodness and forgiving nature, always trying to save her husband's rotten soul from the fires of Hell. But it is well worth the read if you are prepared for it. This is quality literature.
Top reviews from other countries
- Cabera77Reviewed in France on May 21, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars An oldie but a goodie
A thoroughly good and refreshing read. Not the typical story of its time, given the detailed description of a small debauched circle, and the impact on the long-suffering womenfolk. reportedly one of the first feminist novels. Well worth the read.
- Helen KhanReviewed in Canada on November 17, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Romance Book I Have Ever Read
Anne Bronte brilliantly gives the reader a love story through the medium of letters – letters to a friend and a diary. It is an unusual delivery method but well carried out. And while the genre could fall under the category of romance, this classic Victorian era novel decries domestic abuse, alcoholism and gender disparity in 19th century England. Bronte also gives the reader an inside view of aristocracy during that period.
The novel opens with the arrival of Helen Graham and her young son who take up residency in a dilapidated old mansion. This causes suspicion and reason for gossip that questions the young lady’s morals and reasons for being there. Her outspokenness, abruptness and desire for privacy furthers the scorn, except for Gilbert Markham who soon finds himself smitten with Helen. He admires her frankness and independence. But he too succumbs to the community’s attitude towards Helen when he sees her walking arm and arm with one of the men in the locality until she give him her diary to read and he discovers that his Helen is everything and more than he believed her to be – virtuous beyond compare. She has escaped from a cruel alcoholic husband, Arthur Huntington, a man that even his friend Hargraves calls an “infamous villain”.
Helen then returns to care for her ailing husband until his untimely death due to alcoholism. But love prevails and Helen and Gilbert are reunited.
What gripped me most about the novel was not so much the love story; the plot may have been used as a backdrop for Bronte’s expose on the prevailing attitude towards women in a society that viewed women as their husband’s possession.
Bronte was accused of too boldly stating the harsh reality of abuse, inequality and injustices done toward women in the 19th century. But she was willing to face the hostility her book drew for she believed “it is better to depict them as they really are than as they would wish them to appear.” She “felt it her duty to speak an unpalatable truth” so as “to reveal the snares and pitfalls of life to the young and thoughtless traveller.”
Nineteenth century society considered it proper that each should fall into their right place as Gilbert’s mother admonished him when he said that he would take great pleasure in making his wife happy, “You’ll do your business and she, if she’s worthy of you, will do hers; but it’s your business to please yourself, and hers to please you.” She had earlier instructed her daughter that it was only proper to please the gentleman of the house and “anything will do for the ladies”. Unfortunately, this attitude still exists today.
Bronte wrote ahead of her time. She took a bold feminist stand to write this novel.
If you want a meatier novel than an ordinary romance, then The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a must read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to teenagers, women and anyone who is interested in gender equality.
- VishReviewed in India on September 10, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars The most realistic and powerful Brontes can get!!!
ABRIDGED & INCOMPLETE VERSION of “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” opens as: "You must go back with me to the autumn of 1827. My father, as you know....."
ORIGINAL & COMPLETE NOVEL OPENS AS:
"To J. Halford, esq. Dear Halford, When we were together last, you gave me a very particular and interesting account of the most remarkable occurrences......"
UNABRIDGED novel is available with both OXFORD WORLD’S CLASSICS and COLLIN’S CLASSICS. Incomplete version, as seen in the book previews in Amazon, is possibly available with Wordsworth Classics & various publications of PENGUIN and RANDOMHOUSE.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall begins with a beautiful widow coming to live in a quaint countryside. Everyone there is thrilled to have someone new to talk about, but infuriated by the mystery that surrounds her. Rumours start circulating……. It begins as a ‘rough’ Jane Austen romance, but takes up the form of a brutal, political narrative of a woman escaping marital abuse. I shall spare the rest of story for you.
For a 21st century reader, the story may not be surprising. But The Tenant questioned every morality and cruelty towards women that existed in the 1850s’ English society. It was not until some 20-30 years after its publication, laws to protect women’s rights were set in motion in England. Until then, the law in England followed Napoleonic code which said women basically were sub-human, in the same category as mentally incompetent people. Imagine what effect The Tenant had on Victorians!!! Consequently, it was assaulted from all sides. The Church reportedly asked the book to be burnt down and not to be ‘fallen’ into the hands of young girls. The Tenant completely sold out within just three months after its publication in 1848. No other Bronte novel had that privilege.
BUT WHY THE TENANT (AND ANNE) IS LESS KNOWN TODAY?
Soon after Anne’s death [a few months after The Tenant got published], Charlotte Bronte [who had the copyrights after Anne’s death] prevented its further publication. Whether Charlotte buried the book along with her sister out of sisterly sentiments or pure jealousy is a matter of debate. There is even a theory that Charlotte poisoned and killed her siblings. Nevertheless, Charlotte, as reported by her 'biographer' friend Elizabeth Gaskell, had vowed before her sisters to create success with a plain heroine [Jane Eyre]. While Jane Eyre deals with is “Reformed rascals make the best husbands”, The Tenant paints the harsh realities of attempting to reform such rascals. Long story short - The Tenant is the complete opposite of everything that Jane Eyre stands for. Charlotte definitely had better talents of writing, but Anne had more refined and realistic power of imagination. And who else than Charlotte knew it better?
After Charlotte’s death in 1855, The Tenant was published again- mutilated, and many chapters completely removed. It was never published again in full, until 1992 when the Oxford World’s Classics took up the job. And many publishers, possibly including Penguin from what I have observed, still circulate the ‘amputated’ Tenant as the original.
Anne Bronte conceived The Tenant from what she observed in the lives of the upper class, while working as a governess. Much of what she wrote some 170 years ago is prevalent and relevant today. The narration moves in a slow, witty manner in the first quarter, and then picks up speed and a kind of brutal beauty as the mystery around Helen unveils. After all, it is a Bronte novel - the writing is unparalleled! Isn’t it quite ironic that Anne modeled the heroine of The Tenant, Helen, after the wife of Lord Byron after who her sisters modeled their heroes Heathcliff and Rochester? Anne not only adopted the courage of Lady Byron, but also her piety and self-righteous nature which might make some readers dislike the book. Passages of The Tenant about God and morality are not pleasant to read. But what else other than the belief in God a peerless woman in 1840’s had to find some solace in?
Don’t forget to get the complete, unabridged version!
Happy reading!!! :D :D :D
P.S - This is a review of the unabridged version published by Oxford World’s Classics; the book is of beautiful built and quality.
- Paulette OrozcoReviewed in Mexico on May 18, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent edition
This is a beautiful edition of one of the most famous novels written by Anne Brontë. Can't wait to read it!
Paulette OrozcoExcellent edition
Reviewed in Mexico on May 18, 2020
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- Jenny ReesReviewed in Spain on April 2, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly intelligent
This really should be the best-known and garlanded of the Bronte family's work, because Anne's intelligence and understanding of humankind shines through and illuminates every dark corner of her story. Please read it.