h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yesterday I finished re-reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and I found remarkable the parallels -- with a number of gender reversals -- between the novel and my life over the past decade and a half, or so. Certainly I've not faced the financial difficulties Helen faced, but so much of the situation Helen faces is so very similar -- I mean, she even starts to sell paintings! I've been thinking of making a little sign to hang over my front door reading 'Wildfell Hall'.

The big difference, apart from the gender reversals (something I've, oddly, been quite fond of in dramatic productions, BTW), isthat no parallel to Gilbert Markham has come along. At this point, I find that a blessing.



I certainly recommend The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to any who enjoy good old fashioned novels in which virtually all the action takes place in the tortured hearts of people who are find themselves in impossible emotional situations.

Although I've read the novels by the other Brontes..haven't read this one.

Have just ordered from Amazon..£1.69..and free delivery

I like exactly those kind of old fashioned novels.

Good to see that someone other than me still reads this stuff.



(somehow I knew it would be you)

Have read the first fifty or so pages, and am loving it. Mrs Graham is such a fascinating person already..and of course Gilbert's journey of changing his opinions..and their relationship..oh but I've a way to go.

But thank you. It's just my cup of tea..and good to finally complete my Bronte set.

I'll chat with you further about it.

I was reading that Charlotte didn't much like it and after Anne's death, she prevented its republication. After Charlotte's death it took a very long time for Wildfell Hall to come out from under the shadow of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Also I learned that for most of the last century most of the inexpensive editions that were circulating were based on an early, expurgated version which had large parts, including almost a whole chapter, left out.

I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Ahh that explains why my copy says the full unabridged version. I getting on with it and very addicted. I was quite struck from the start how honest and straightforward it is written in terms of the sexual attraction. It seems very 'modern' to me. Obviously you know what I mean not literally like modern sex writing but so refreshing compared to Jane Ayre. I'm thinking I much prefer her to Charlotte's style, and think she's a better writer. But I'm starting to guess why it might offend certain prudish Victorian sensibilities. It's a gem.

I may well re-read all of them again after I've finished it..although I've read Wuthering Heights twice and think it's a 'great'.

When I was comparing the two versions, one part I particularly noticed being cut in the shorter version was elder Arthur's quite blunt and extended expression of his utter lack of feelings for his newborn son. I expect that would have been pretty disturbing at the time -- and I'm sure it still is for many.

I've liked Wuthering Heights from when I was a youngster but Jane Eyre left me cold and is utterly forgotten. I'm gradually working my way through them all again. I've done Emily and Anne and I'm going to start Charlotte with 'The Professor'. We'll see whether she improves with age (of the reader).

Over half way now. Yes I just passed the bit with Arthur's bluntness about his attitude to his child is described. To be honest its a bit of a relief, for Helen to finally start facing up to Arthur's character. It was a shock to my system when it switched from the Gilbert account to the young Helen's journal..nice device though..but honestly what a contrast to the wiser Helen earlier in the book. I like this flash back thing though..it's quite interesting structurally..and thank god she's finally wising up to Arthur..(don't tell me anything after that though..because I really am enjoying it as 'page turner'

So, I shouldn't tell you when the zombies come in?

Whoa..finished it late last night..I felt a bit like Gilbert when he devoured Helen's diary/journal.

What a fascianting novel. All the switches from letters to diaries like a mosaic. But it's always basically from Gilbert's view, because even when you read her diary or letters, it's with the knowledge of him reading them and telling the story in a letter to his brother in law

I got so fed up with her Chritian martyrdom thing..but that's what I like there are hints that Gilbert is just as irritated by it..and of course the 'fiend' Arthur detests her for it.

So many layers of structure..but OMG what a tortuous last 50 or so pages..I don't remember anything quite like it in any other novel I've read. I was in tears a couple of times ..like Gilbert

But I did really like that just at the end its Helen thate takes control in getting them to get it off together..the little woose goes all wobbly and won't speak his feelings, even though his fought through blizzards and circumstance to get to her. It's that Christmas rose symbolism that does it Heaven is finally reached after we've all been through hell.

But yes I'm oversymplifying. It's a wonderful novel for as you said in your first post, concerning all the tortured hearts. Blimey I wonder I'm still sane..

The Bronte family really were incredible.

But thank you.

Yeah forgot to say, that bit when the zombies arrive is really cool...

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Right I'm going for Great Expectations next. I want to work through the Dickens I haven't yet read.

Gimme the 19 century any day.

Somehow the only Dickens I've read is 'Hard Times'.

Go for Bleak House.

I think I'd have a Dickens of a Hard Time with Bleak House. Perhaps David Copperfield could work some magic on me.

No no no, you'd love Bleak House. It's complex, funny, and essentially optimistic. It's simply wonderful.

well, I'll have to see if I can find time in The Battle of Life to ring The Chimes over the door going into The Old Curiosity Shop to see if they have a copy. I'll try not to be distracted by Little Dorrit sitting with The Cricket on the Hearth. As you can probably tell, I don't have Great Expectations.

I'm seriously depressed actually that Wildfell Hall is finished..I did love it so. And It'll be a wrench getting back to the men writers...

Have you read any George Elliott?

This stuff is all far more modern than what I read in University -- I never got to anything later than the Romantics. I've spent several decades now catching up.

No, I've not read George Eliot yet. Or Thomas Hardy.


But for some reason I've read all the Harry Potter books.