Hi Miriam! I literally just yesterday was planning a Fall TBR and was thinking about reading Shirley or Villette! Now that I’ve watched your review I think I definitely need to get back into a Brontë novel. Yep -the RUclips algorithm skews towards hauls, and doesn’t really seem to like reviews as much, which is ironic considering why we’re all here, but you did a great job on this one and I hope you’ll do more of these! ❤
You made me want to read Shirley! I agree, Charlotte Bronte’s writing is wonderful. I read Jane Eyre last year and fell in love with it. I already want to reread it. I loved just hearing your thoughts on Shirley. I am really getting into the Bronte’s writing. I just finished The Tenant of Windfell Hall, by Anne, and really loved it. I trust you on Shirley and will be purchasing a copy soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Robin! I hope to reread Jane Eyre this fall! Let me know if you want to buddy read it! The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is another one I really want to re-read! I hope you love Shirley!! It's not as dramatic as Jane Eyre, much more realistic in many ways.
Wonderful review. I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed Jane Eyre and Villette as well, but Shirley is definitely my favorite of Charlotte’s work. 5 stars from me on Goodreads.😊
I just read The Professor, which she pretty much rewrote Villette from, just changing the gender of the main character. I found the first half of The Professor to be incredibly boring but it did get better. I definitely want to read Villette soon and compare the two. Ha, that's a lot to say on books that aren't even the books this review is for. I haven't read Shirley yet but I want to soon, I was originally planning on reading it next but I'm thinking I will probably read Villette first . . . ? Maybe. We'll see. Just based on your synopsis Shirley gives me North and South vibes. Hehe, and now you just talked about North and South so I guess I was on the right track!
Villette was really good! The main character at times feels like an enigma but I think CB wrote her that way on purpose! It definitely does have North and South vibes but a lot slower! I hope you enjoy both Shirley and Villette!
This was a great deep dive into this book and you have definitely made me want to read this one. I’ve only read Jane Eyre by CB and it’s my favorite classic so I really need to read more by her!
I have to say Shirley disappointed me--I think you are right that I was expecting more, and I felt it bogged down too much. That said I did love the characters of Caroline and Robert; Shirley, however, annoyed me. I've read that Elizabeth Gaskell chose the name Helstone for the home of the Hales in North & South as a tribute to her friend Charlotte.
That's so interesting! I kept thinking, what other classic have I seen "Helstone" in and I can't believe I didn't connect the two, especially knowing Gaskell and Charlotte were friends!
I love this! Loved hearing your thoughts. It's been so long since i read Shirley, i can't remember anything about it except that i liked it.i definitely need to reread it!
I love your review. For someone who wants to begin reading the Bronte's, especially Charlotte, you gave a wonderful overview of this book. I'm excited about starting this book and seeing the development of the characters. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Miriam, I so enjoyed your review and you made me so glad I read the book. I loved Caroline but she was so long suffering and the book was so slow. I did not really like Shirley and she was rather shallow about her true love since he was a poor man, but I still didn’t enjoy reading about the mill and I wanted to shake Robert for his attitude. I guess I read Jane Eyre when I was very young but I had no expectations but really loved it. I want to appreciate this more and do now that it is in the past. Ha. I wonder if you finished The Heir of Redclyffe? Now that book I truly loved. I loved all the characters especially Charlie. And the father was funny. 😊Thank you.😊
Thanks Cassandra! Yes I wanted to shake Robert too!! Still slooowly making my way through the Heir of Redclyffe 😂😂 very slowly but I am loving it! Charlie has my heart ❤️
I love your review, Miriam! I'm so glad you loved Shirley. I have such a soft spot for Caroline and Robert too. I look forward to re-reading Shirley.
Thanks Elizabeth!!
Hi Miriam! I literally just yesterday was planning a Fall TBR and was thinking about reading Shirley or Villette! Now that I’ve watched your review I think I definitely need to get back into a Brontë novel. Yep -the RUclips algorithm skews towards hauls, and doesn’t really seem to like reviews as much, which is ironic considering why we’re all here, but you did a great job on this one and I hope you’ll do more of these! ❤
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Celeste! ❤️
You made me want to read Shirley! I agree, Charlotte Bronte’s writing is wonderful. I read Jane Eyre last year and fell in love with it. I already want to reread it. I loved just hearing your thoughts on Shirley. I am really getting into the Bronte’s writing. I just finished The Tenant of Windfell Hall, by Anne, and really loved it. I trust you on Shirley and will be purchasing a copy soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Robin! I hope to reread Jane Eyre this fall! Let me know if you want to buddy read it! The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is another one I really want to re-read! I hope you love Shirley!! It's not as dramatic as Jane Eyre, much more realistic in many ways.
Wonderful review. I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed Jane Eyre and Villette as well, but Shirley is definitely my favorite of Charlotte’s work. 5 stars from me on Goodreads.😊
Thank you! It was such a delight!
I just read The Professor, which she pretty much rewrote Villette from, just changing the gender of the main character. I found the first half of The Professor to be incredibly boring but it did get better. I definitely want to read Villette soon and compare the two. Ha, that's a lot to say on books that aren't even the books this review is for. I haven't read Shirley yet but I want to soon, I was originally planning on reading it next but I'm thinking I will probably read Villette first . . . ? Maybe. We'll see.
Just based on your synopsis Shirley gives me North and South vibes. Hehe, and now you just talked about North and South so I guess I was on the right track!
Villette was really good! The main character at times feels like an enigma but I think CB wrote her that way on purpose! It definitely does have North and South vibes but a lot slower! I hope you enjoy both Shirley and Villette!
thank you for the review/recommendation - I have Villette on my shelf to read, but will be looking for a copy of Shirley as well now!! 😊
Thanks Jacqueline! I hope you enjoy them both!
This was a great deep dive into this book and you have definitely made me want to read this one. I’ve only read Jane Eyre by CB and it’s my favorite classic so I really need to read more by her!
Thanks Jen!
I have to say Shirley disappointed me--I think you are right that I was expecting more, and I felt it bogged down too much. That said I did love the characters of Caroline and Robert; Shirley, however, annoyed me. I've read that Elizabeth Gaskell chose the name Helstone for the home of the Hales in North & South as a tribute to her friend Charlotte.
That's so interesting! I kept thinking, what other classic have I seen "Helstone" in and I can't believe I didn't connect the two, especially knowing Gaskell and Charlotte were friends!
I love this! Loved hearing your thoughts. It's been so long since i read Shirley, i can't remember anything about it except that i liked it.i definitely need to reread it!
Thanks Anne!
I love your review. For someone who wants to begin reading the Bronte's, especially Charlotte, you gave a wonderful overview of this book. I'm excited about starting this book and seeing the development of the characters. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful time delving into the Brontes’ works! 🤗
Hi Miriam, I so enjoyed your review and you made me so glad I read the book. I loved Caroline but she was so long suffering and the book was so slow. I did not really like Shirley and she was rather shallow about her true love since he was a poor man, but I still didn’t enjoy reading about the mill and I wanted to shake Robert for his attitude. I guess I read Jane Eyre when I was very young but I had no expectations but really loved it. I want to appreciate this more and do now that it is in the past. Ha. I wonder if you finished The Heir of Redclyffe? Now that book I truly loved. I loved all the characters especially Charlie. And the father was funny. 😊Thank you.😊
Thanks Cassandra! Yes I wanted to shake Robert too!! Still slooowly making my way through the Heir of Redclyffe 😂😂 very slowly but I am loving it! Charlie has my heart ❤️
Great review!! I can't wait to read this one. I really hope you love Jane Eyre more on a reread!
Thanks Penny! I hope so too!
I am planning to read this one in September!
Thank you for the review!!
Villette made my top 10 list for the books I read last year!!❤
I hope you enjoy Shirley! So glad you loved Villette!❤️
❤❤❤this sounds beautiful.