The Bronte Books Ranked

Today, April 21st, marks the anniversary of Charlotte Brontȅ's birth back in 1816. That's as good a reason as any to do what I've intended for some time and rank the seven books of all three Brontȅ sisters. I'm sure there will be as many combinations as readers, but here is mine.

The top four are those I'd recommend as must-reads for everyone. When you've read them, you've read the very best. 

The bottom three, in my opinion, can be passed over unless you're a Brontȅ completist who aims to read them all just to tick them off. I wouldn't recommend anybody select one from that trio to start with, anyway.

THE TOP FOUR

 1) Wuthering Heights

Although I've considered changing my mind over the years, because I was never a great fan of either Heathcliff or Catherine, this is still my top pick. The book holds a special place in my heart because of my circumstances when I first read it. I was 15 years old with ambitions to be a fiction author myself, and learned a lot about story craft through my own passion-driven analysis of this book. I still enjoy how various narrators make this Gothic family saga so multi-layered. Most of all, I love seeing the second generation of characters begin to mirror the mistakes of the first, until a sudden, touching twist of grace changes the trajectory. Emily Brontȅ convinces us that ancestral curses aren't set in stone. The gentle, loving final glimpses we get of my three favourite characters, Nelly, Hareton and Cathy, still make me smile whenever I think about them. (My review is here.)

2) Villette

For me, this was Charlotte's Magnus Opus. I get a sense that she poured her own self into the creation of restrained and reflective Lucy Snowe, the young English teacher in Brussels who falls for two different men. Author vulnerability is probably never rawer than this, but Charlotte lets her guard down with such lavish and stirring prose, drawing from all sorts of cultural and literary sources to make a somewhat drab and homely tale into a masterpiece. Making me fond of the overbearing, bossy Monsieur Paul gets my thumbs up too, because I normally shy away from control freaks like him. The ending is certainly controversial, but I'll give no spoilers. (My review is here.)

3) Jane Eyre

I have many friends who would place this masterpiece at the very top, and I understand why. Jane is such a refreshingly grounded and sensible main character. Her integrity and developing rapport with her intimidating employer, Mr Rochester, is delightful to read. So is his awesome epiphany. The fact that a harried, world-weary cynic like himself decides a modest young governess holds the key to all he's been looking for is pure satisfaction. In her quiet, modest way, Jane turns Rochester's life upside down. We're even willing to overlook the concealing of his deep, dark secret, which proves how successfully Charlotte wrote him, for it's pretty darned shocking. (My review is here.)

4) The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

It's cool to think how Anne, the youngest sister of all, made it her personal mission to write a revelatory story with an unforeseen, unprecedented theme: Girls, don't ever romanticize bad boys! Even her sister, Charlotte, thought Anne was making a colossal mistake to focus on an alcoholic jerk like Arthur Huntingdon as a main character. I imagine Charlotte, who had such a way with words, would have been very persuasive, but Anne gently stuck to her guns. Thank heavens she did, or we would never have had this excellent early example of feminist literature. If this novel helped just one hapless victim of domestic abuse face facts and take action like Helen, it would have been a success, but there have surely been thousands, and even more to come. (My review is here.)

THE BOTTOM TRIO

5) Shirley

This has all of Charlotte's evocative detail and brings to life her own backdrop of Yorkshire during the Industrial Revolution. But her character Caroline Helstone's way of handling her supposedly unrequited love for mill owner Robert Moore disappoints me. You wouldn't find Jane or Helen taking on such a weepy, mopey attitude, to the point of death. No bloke is worth dying with lovesickness over, let alone a calculating dude like Robert with dollar signs for eyeballs. My favourite character, Shirley herself, isn't even introduced until a couple hundred pages into the story, and even longer for her cool romantic interest, Louis Moore. So this story gets thumbs down for both irritation and longwindedness too. (My review is here.)

6) Agnes Grey

This is Anne's attempt at what Charlotte does in Villette, to fictionalize her own personal experiences. Sadly, she hasn't pulled it off half as well. Agnes comes off as a sanctimonius martyr of a governess, always ready to blame setbacks on her employers. This waters down Anne Brontȅ's valid observations, that these girls lived tough and thankless lives. It does have the admirable Mr Edward Weston going for it, but he's not enough to boost my ranking from second bottom. (My review is here.)

7) The Professor

It's Charlotte's very first novel, which some critics say should never have seen the light of day. Hear hear. It's the only Brontȅ novel I've got rid of, because the main character's attitude kept making me angry. William Crimsworth is a know-it-all, 21-year-old school teacher who looks down on others with such smug condescension, it completely undermines the underdog position Charlotte is going for with him. He is this story's hero, yet I'd hate to have had him as a teacher, or have him teach my kids! Still, it gives me great pleasure to award the wooden spoon to such a deserving book. (My review is here.)  

There's my ranking of the seven Brontȅ novels. I'd be interested to see yours, if you'd be willing to tell us in the comments below. From 1 to 7 (or however many you've read) go ahead and rank them from best to least favourite.     

'Pollyanna's Golden Horseshoe' by Elizabeth Borton

For generations, the sunny philosophy of the "glad girl" has touched the hearts of millions of readers. In this book, the beloved heroine reappears to make new friends and renew old acquaintances. How Pollyanna helps countless "square pegs" find a new niche in life and how she earns a golden horseshoe make a story of true inspiration and delight.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is the 10th Glad Book, and the last one written by Elizabeth Borton.

Jimmy is back from the Antarctic, but now weakened with frequent chest infections. His masculine pride denies the idea of not being at his prime, so his boss and family make a secret pact to give him an easier job at a men's camp in a mild climate. True to the year 1940 in which this is published, he also smokes! Come on Jimmy, giving up the ciggies will help your coughing, yet nobody suggests it. 

His son goes along too, to keep an eye on him, although Jimmy believes it's to give the lad some work experience. Since his son is now often referred to as 'Young Jim' rather than Junior, the elder Jimmy is sometimes called, 'The Chief.' It's easy once we get it straight in our heads.

Meanwhile, Pollyanna is given another role by Dr Bennet. She becomes a consulting director at Rehabilitation House, which is a sort of employment agency, matching desperate job seekers with their skills. Pollyanna makes it her goal to either round out a bunch of square pegs, or else find square holes in which to place them. She believes the organization needs so many improvements that rather than being a deterrent, it's impossible for her to resist accepting the job. And since the Pendletons hire Mrs Maddux, who comes each day to clean, wash dishes and help with the cooking, Pollyanna may as well volunteer at the agency, for there is time on her hands at home.

(I can't help thinking that while Harriet Lummis Smith's Pollyanna was a thriving and outspoken stay-at-home-mom who relished the creative lifestyle, Elizabeth's Borton's Pollyanna is beginning to quietly subvert Smith's stance. The very first page tells us, 'The pleasant room, the potted plants flourishing in the windows, the knitting in her hands, the iced cake waiting for supper - these were not, to her, work.' Hmm, well not since Mrs Maddux does the lion's share, I guess. You might think that with three teenagers to assign chores to, the family wouldn't need to hire an employee, but apparently they think it's money well spent.)

People Pollyanna helps include Margaret Dunn, an equestrian girl who loses all her wealth in one fell swoop; Della Treat, a circus acrobat who needs another position; Dr Auguste Michel, a slightly shabby young vet of foreign extraction; and Harold Thorkel, a homeless musician. She's also able to find performers for Mrs Harkness, an eccentric harpsichordist who lives in a castle, with a passion to form an orchestra comprised solely of ancient instruments. 

I reckon this may be one of the early novels targeted at horse-crazy girls, for two of the best 'characters' are Margaret's beloved blind Irish filly, Colleen, who must learn to jump again; and Della's very ladylike circus performer, Alice, who is getting a bit old for the ring and needs another role, just like some of the human job seekers. 

I like Borton's author dedication. She writes, 'To my Dad, who because he loves horses, may enjoy meeting Colleen and Alice.' Although Borton's dad has surely long passed away, we get this snapshot of a time and place. In a similar way, Borton refers to young Jim in his darkroom, 'busy with the magic of bringing to life views of things that had happened and would never happen again.' Books do the same, in a slightly different way from photos. 

For example, this one is full of other signs of the times. Judy collects pin-ups of Robert Donat and Charles Boyer for her bedroom wall. And although they hedge around the point, Jimmy's loved ones can't help fearing a diagnosis of tuberculosis, which was still rife back then. And Pollyanna has misgivings about the unrest over in Europe. Oh boy, it's only just 1940 when this book is published, so there's a lot of horror still to come which even the Glad Book authors are unaware of yet. I guess we might see it play out during the rest of the series.

I'd like to meet Pollyanna, and get the benefit of her 'eager, friendly mind' myself. I'm sure she'd be able to help straighten me out, in her lovely, tactful manner. As the mother of teenagers, she's still the same optimistic soul, but is now mature enough to add some wise perspective for other, younger characters. We are far enough into the series for her to utter:

'So many friends come and go. My life is chequered with friends who have been close for a year or so and then married and gone away, or have been taken away by business or health or something.' 

Yeah, isn't that just the way life rolls? Whenever we regret losing touch with old classmates, work colleagues or neighbours, as my own daughter was not long ago, well we're no different from Pollyanna. Different friends for different phases, and nobody remains static. 

(Having said that, I still find it hard to forgive the way Borton writes out Nancy in Pollyanna's Castle in Mexico!) 

So next up will be Pollyanna's Protege by Margaret Piper Chalmers. I wonder what this new author will add to the canon. 

🌟🌟🌟½

 

 

'The Wolves of Willoughby Chase' by Joan Aiken

Wicked wolves and a grim governess threaten Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia when Bonnie's parents leave Willoughby Chase for a sea voyage. Left in the care of the cruel Miss Slighcarp, the girls can hardly believe what is happening to their once happy home. The servants are dismissed, the furniture is sold, and Bonnie and Sylvia are sent to a prison-like orphan school. It seems as if the endless hours of drudgery will never cease.

With the help of Simon the gooseboy and his flock, they escape. But how will they ever get Willoughby Chase free from the clutches of the evil Miss Slighcarp?

MY THOUGHTS:

 This book was a DNF from my childhood, but of the 100+ books Joan Aiken ever wrote, it pops up frequently enough on lists of recommended kids' lit to make me curious. I thought I'd read it straight through for a second opinion, since it's decades on from my first attempt.

Hmm, I can't really fault my juvenile self. Not that there is anything bad about this book, except for being a bit overdrawn and melodramatic. Yet I find myself wondering just what captivates generations of readers. Is it the alternative history of England that sparks people's imaginations, or the Steampunk vibes, or the lovely illustrations by Pat Marriott?

Here's how it all goes down.

Bonnie Green is a somewhat pampered only child who lives in a lavish mansion with her wealthy parents and plenty of doting staff members. Her father and mother are soon to commence a long voyage seeking treatment for Lady Green's illness. But Bonnie's dainty cousin Sylvia is expected any moment. Alas, so is Miss Slighcarp, a governess hired, sight unseen, for the pair of girls. She's distant kin, which is enough to recommend her to Sir Willoughby Green. 

The parents have barely departed before Miss Slighcarp reveals her true colours as a despicable bully and fortune-hunter. She's not the sort of villain who pretends to be a good guy. Slighcarp is at least no hypocrite, but begins an instant reign of terror - including a harsh boarding school for Bonnie and Sylvia. But Slighcarp underestimates Bonnie's crusader's heart, especially where fights for justice are concerned. 

The story is essentially a battle between good and evil. Slighcarp has a handful of formidable buddies but Bonnie and Sylvia have some fine allies, the most lovable being Simon, the boy who sells geese for his living. He helps them out of some really tight jams.

In the alternative British history in which this is set, packs of wild wolves have migrated from Europe through a tunnel between Calais and Dover, and now plague the British Isles. But except for one or two random stagey attack scenes, I can't see how the wolves are integral to the plot at all - which is Slighcarp and her minions versus Bonnie, Sylvia and Co. 

The write-up at the back of my library edition says, 'When Joan first showed the story to a publisher, they said it was too scary and asked if she could please take out the wolves. Of course she said No.' 

Well, I'm baffled as to why we should automatically echo that 'of course' since the wolves hardly ever do anything! 

The story even borders on outrageous when we learn Sir Willoughby Green is filthy rich, yet his sister Jane who lives in London almost dies of poverty. Sure, she's too proud to reveal her straightened circumstances, but he should've made it his business to find out. She's in no position to keep her plight hidden. Sir Willoughby strikes me as one of those oblivious doofuses in more ways than one. It gets irritating when we're coerced to regard these airheads as heroes.

However, I guess nothing is wasted. Reading this increased my vocabulary regarding some drinks that weren't familiar to me. The kindly maid Pattern gives Bonnie and Sylvia a posset, which is a hot drink with citrus and spices. There's also Bohea, a low quality tea which is all Sylvia gets to drink when she lives with poor Aunt Jane, and Simon's Metheglin, a sort of honey wine. (It would be yes please, no thanks and maybe for me.)

Any good takeaways? There's a nice reflective, pastoral section when the three kids wander the countryside with necessary slowness, since Simon says, 'There's no sense hurrying with geese. By the time we reach Smithfield they'll be thin and scrawny and nobody will want 'em.' Thumbs up for leisurely lifestyles and homely wisdom. The blacksmith's remedy for a chesty cough makes me smile too. (The breath of sheep.)

But altogether, I don't feel inclined to follow up with all the other titles in this series. There are quite a few. At least not yet, which I know may well mean never. There are so many other books to read.

I've got to give this edition thumbs up for its beautiful cover though.  

🌟🌟🌟   

Two Mini Reviews

The Pilgrim's Progress, Part Two (John Bunyan and Alan Vermilye.)  

Firstly, check out my review of the very famous Part One

This is the sequel to John Bunyan's famous masterpiece; the tale of Christian's wife and kids. Although Christiana and their four sons initially resisted Christian's pleas for them to go with him to the Celestial City, they now have second thoughts and decide to follow in his footsteps. The boys are called Matthew, Samuel, Joseph and James, but we don't find that out upfront. Their names unfold along with the story.  

It begins when Secret delivers a gold-written invitation for Christiana to embark on the same journey her husband took. Mrs Nervousness tries to talk her out of it, advocating the safety of a comfort zone, but a young woman named Mercy opts to travel with the family, although she fears she'll be rejected because she has no personal invitation. When Christiana advocates for Mercy, they discover the Lord will accept all who believe in Him, no matter how they come to be pilgrims. So we traverse the same ground as before, beginning with the Slough of Despond, the Wicket Gate, the Interpreter's House and so on. 

Some readers claim to love Part Two for its more corporate vibe, but I tend to agree with Emily of New Moon, who felt the crowd that surrounds Christiana at every turn dispels the fascination. Their guide, Greatheart, faces most of the dangerous foes on their behalf. All Christiana's party really has to do is tag along and hide behind him, which isn't my idea of a riveting adventure. 

That's not to say nothing interesting ever happens to the family at all. Matthew gets a bad stomach ache from snacking on fruit hanging over someone's fence. It turns out to be Beelzebub's orchard, so no wonder! And remember the Giant Despair. He gets his just desserts. 

Interestingly, Greatheart tells the family that although Christian faced Apollyon in the Valley of Humilation, that doesn't make it a bad place per se. It's a pretty good place to settle down. 'I've known many working men who have magnificent estates in the Valley of Humiliation, because God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.' 

I think this has to be a 3-star read. Its slower pace and lack of challenge for the main characters probably deserves just two, but I guess the spiritual insights lift it to three. 

I didn't enjoy it half as much as the original. 

🌟🌟🌟 

The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie

Early one morning, Mrs Bantry is woken by hurried footsteps passing her bedroom door, followed by the maid's frantic news, 'There's a body in the library!' Incredibly, a pretty young girl lies dead on the library hearth, a stranger to the Bantrys and staff alike. Mrs Bantry's first impulse is to phone her friend, Jane Marple, because, 'You are so good at bodies.' 

Miss Marple's driving force for helping this investigation is to shield poor old Colonel and Mrs Bantry from the backlash of rumours which has already started buzzing, since the victim was found in their residence. Sure enough, our elderly sleuth homes in on the killer before the plethora of police have a clue. 'People have been much too credulous and believing.' Although Miss Marple is too kind and modest to say it, it's highly unlikely the police would ever have stumbled on the truth.

It's pretty clever unmasking of some cold-hearted, calculating crime. 

This is one of Christie's usual page-turners. The dead girl, Ruby Keene, turns out to be a dancer on the entertainment staff of the nearby Majestic Hotel. It's revealed that one of the wealthy guests there, the magnetic and mesmerising Conway Jefferson, had intended to adopt Ruby as his daughter and heir, which infuriates his family. His son-in-law, Mark Gaskell, calls Ruby a, 'half-baked, nitwitted little slypuss.' To daughter-in-law Adelaide, she's, 'a vulgar, gold-digging little simpleton.'

Miss Marple, as usual, draws heavily from other anecdotal examples in her memory banks to make educated conjectures. This prompts her old mate, Sir Henry Clithering, to remark, 'I must say I do dislike the way you reduce us all to a general common denominator.' I'm sure we can all anticipate Miss Marple's inevitable reply. 'Human nature is very much the same anywhere.' 

Agatha Christie gives herself a plug in this story. A nine-year-old character, Peter Carmody, boasts how he's collected autographs from all the current crime writers. 'I've got Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Dickson Carr and H. C. Bailey.' I like how she gives her mystery writing peers a shout-out as well as depicting herself as someone who would be gracious enough to sign a young boy's autograph album. 

🌟🌟🌟