I just began reading Villette, written by Charlotte Bronte- oh she of Jane Eyre fame. This was her fourth novel, written in 1853.
The interesting thing about Charlotte Bronte and, of course, my fandom, is this- she possesses the uncanny ability to catapult me into her stories within a sentence or two.
In my version of the Bronte-Austen Fight Club, Bronte kicks ass with her introspective angst-ridden other-shoe-might-drop-at-any-time Gothic prose while Austen wanders aimlessly page after page, prattling on about the vagaries of the weather or tea or Mr. What’s His Face.
No offense to Austen or Austen lovers, but reading Jane Austen (and I’ve slogged through all her books) morphs me into Penny from The Big Bang Theory- “BORED”.
Loving Villette! And guess what? It costs nothing to read on Kindle!
I’m team Bronte too! In my mind there’s no comparison. I’ve not read Villette in years because, in many ways it’s a tortured read. Poor Charlotte’s passions are seething in frustration here. Enjoy!
Oh, I am going right out to get me a Villette! Thanks for the inspiration.
Jane’s stories move through drawing rooms and salons, without Gothic sensibilities. Her stories revolve around the way Jane saw people, her characters ring true in people even today. For genteel women of the period marriage and inheritance were the most important determinants of how comfortably one could live and raise a family. A circumstance strongly affecting Jane’s own short life. And yet she saw these circumstances and characters and imbued them with enough humor that it pointed out not just the circumstance but shone a light on the characters in women’s lives without being threatening. I see people I know now in her characters.
So, yes they are more character than plot driven but I don’t believe they meander aimlessly. Like the sermons of the period they point to characters and flaws even in their titles.
I’m greedy and enjoy them all at various periods in my life. Some days we want pizza. Other days we want steak. And then there’s the odd time or two when we really want cheesecake…
Thanks for the suggestion. I haven’t read Villette, but I will now.
So far so good, Stephanie!
Ummmm, Anny, I envision Austen as white bread. Sliced white bread. Ain’t I awful???
Intellectually I get what you’re saying, Steph. I know this about her. I know what she’s doing and why she’s doing it. But her work lacks passion, at least for me.
For instance, I love Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. I love the Bronte’s, altho Emily takes the pathos a bit too far. I like George Elliot. Love Mary Shelley.
Sometimes a book is quiet, and there is merit in quiet. However when I read Jane Austen what I hear is white noise. I don’t hear all those lovely little day to day details. I’m too bored to pay attention to the nuances.
An Austen-esque book I adore is Remains of the Day, by Kazuro Ishiguro. This is a very quiet book yet it’s brimming with heart and soul.
Diana, I’m really enjoying Villette. But then I love Charlotte Bronte. Her heroines take center stage. They are intelligent, insightful, plain, poor- must survive by their wits. I love her heroines because they are just that, survivors.
Oh dear Kat - totally tortured! Why I like it!
Thanks for the heads up, Julia. Going to order now.
Good book, Sandra. Filled with Bronte pathos!
Julia, have you seen the Kindle edition of THE COMPLETE NOVELS OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE (With illustrations and contextual material)???? It is so wonderful, and the illustrations are delightful, very Bronte-ish.
I’ve finished JANE EYRE and SHIRLEY; I was going to read THE PROFESSOR next (it was printed posthumously in 1857), but now I’ll put it aside and read VILLETTE.
Oooh, Marylin! Bronte candy! Gotta go get it! Thanks!
Thanks, Julia, for pointing out this book by Charlotte Bronte. Not aware of it, so I’m excited to put it on my list. Thinking of these old timey authors who knew how to draw characters with such ease, I’ve been reading House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. She’s also one of those who gets into character’s heads and keeps you turning the page. I was inspired to read her as we were visiting The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, on our New England trip. Just got back but forgot my Kindle in NYC apt. we were renting. It’s being mailed to me. Can’t wait for it to arrive so I can get back to the book I started and order the one you mentioned above.
And thanks, Marylin, for the complete works by Bronte suggestion.
I picked up the complete works as well, Diana. For some reason I was unaware of Villette until a few months ago. It’s good!