The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

By: Anne Bronte

Narrated by: Frederick Davidson, Nadia May

Like her sisters Emily and Charlotte, Anne Brontë published under a male pseudonym, yet still this novel was scorned by many for its exposure of the abusive male chauvinism that was concealed, like all things sexual, during the Victorian Era.

Just as Anne had to use a male pseudonym in order to publish, Helen Graham, the novel's protagonist and a battered wife, must assume an alias in order to gain freedom from her suffering. With her young child, Helen takes up residence at Wildfell Hall, shrouding her past in secrecy, yet earning the attentions of a young, unmarried country gentlemen. Anne Brontë employs the atmosphere of the bleak Yorkshire moors and the cold, rugged gloom of the fictional mansion to set the stage for a tragedy that reveals the secret violence in a society considered well-mannered.

(P)1998 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Frederick Davidson and Nadia May take the roles of the storytellers, and they do an excellent job of portraying both the male and female voices....The choice to use both male and female narrators was a good one, enlivening the story and underlining the differences between the sexes in Victorian England." ( AudioFile)

Depressing

Listening to this brought a pall over me -combined with admiration for Helen. Thankfulness that I do not live in that era where women were something to be owned. Despite the depressing negative conversations between Helen and Arthur, the light of her strength and determination was so eloquently expressed it made the story magnetic.

A 19th Century Tina Turner

This novel was way ahead of its time. To our modern sensibilities, we may wonder why the lead character put up with her husband so long. But put it in 19th Century context, and we're struck by how remarkable was her streak of independence. Readers of the time were shocked the themes, and the novel was not considered appropriate reading for ladies. It deals with "modern" themes -- alcohol abuse, infidelity, and codependence.

Some have drawn similarities between the husband character and Mr. Darcy in Jane Eyre. But I think it's the female lead in this story that is similar to Mr. Darcy. Like Darcy, she's a mysterious character, haunted by her past. I'll say no more about that to avoid a spoiler!

Entertaining

Where does The Tenant of Wildfell Hall rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Yes, this was a good book.

What did you like best about this story?

I like how there ending is wrapped up, and that you get a sense of what happens after the book.

What does Frederick Davidson and Nadia May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The accents are very good, and read well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The resolution toward the end puts my mind as ease.

Any additional comments?

If you like classics, you will like this book.

My favorite Bronte novel.

This is my favorite of all the Bronte novels. I loved that the heroine was a strong feminist character.

A delight

A delightfully told tail with strong moral force well told. A classic.
Too bad there are few such books written today.

very entertaining

I really enjoyed this rendition of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Using a male and a female reader for the different voices really worked well. Each of the actors who read were very skilled at becoming the different characters. I highly recommend this version.

What if Darcy had gone over to the Dark Side?

The Bronte sisters' stories have a darkness about them. Not surprising perhaps during a period when death lurked in the fogs and chill of night taking persons away without notice. Life expectancy was thirty or forty The greatest killer of women was childbirth. This darkness runs throughout works such as Wuthering Heights, Shirley, The Professor, Villette, Jane Eyre and of course Anne Brontes' Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

Beautiful and brilliant ballrooms, great mansions, jewels, fine gowns, magnificent carriages, everything that wealth can provide is the background of this beautiful princess meets handsome prince, princess marries prince, princess then founds prince falls considerable short of her expectations, then prince dives headlong into the cesspools of London and the continent. Girl becomes a woman and takes command of her situation and with her young son runs hiding in the old dilapidated mansion, Wildfell Hall.

Frederick Davidson and Nadia May did a magnificent job. This is a hard book. One cannot love this book. It is the dark underbelly of upper class British society in the 17-1800's. So glittering and splendid, so debauched beneath the surface. Except for the leading lady and man, I hate, despise, detest most of the characters in this book. Yet, I have gone though the book again and again. When the horrors of what Nadia May reads overwhelms, the calm, aristocratic, matter-of-fact voice of Frederick Davidson soothes and bring one back to peace and tranquility

Fortunately Bronte stories end much better and much happier than the above description would lead one to expect. Well, this one ends well for the woman and her child. As for the husband, not so well but frankly good riddance.

Now there is a bad marriage!

Would you listen to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall again? Why?

No, once was enough. The story puts your teeth on edge, but it was fascinating to read another of the Bronte sisters' novels.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting was the frank depiction of debauchery in a marriage, and what that did to all those involved. But it was a case, of "why does she stick around" that can be irritating - you want to give her a shake and tell her to move on from the loser!

Have you listened to any of Frederick Davidson and Nadia May ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Both performers are excellent and they did a very good job in this case.

Better Than Expected

I was surprised at how well written this was - the Bronte religious background shows - The "however" is that our hero seems kind of creepy at times - somewhat selfish and self-serving.

A bit long and preachy

The author definitely wants to convey a message about the dangers of self-indulgence. Even for the time, though, it feels drawn-out and heavy-handed, moving slowly toward its inevitable end.