The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

This verdict was unfortunately to be a lasting one. The choice of subject in that work is a mistake.’ ‘”Wildfell Hall” it hardly appears desirable to preserve.

This was her verdict in the letter to the publishers: Charlotte was happy to do this for Wuthering Heights (although she changed much of Joseph’s dialogue to make it a bit more intelligible to readers outside of Yorkshire) and Agnes Grey, but she would not consent to do so for The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall. Charlotte’s publisher, Smith, Elder & Co., approached her and asked if she would prepare new editions of her sisters’ novels to be published by them as a lasting tribute (the original editions published by Thomas Cautley Newby being put together in a decidedly sub-par manner). No, these words are the judgement of Anne’s elder sister Charlotte Brontë, and they would have a huge impact upon Anne’s reputation.Īfter the deaths of Emily and Anne Brontë within a few cruel months of each other in 18, the novel writing career of the two sisters, that had seemed so full of promise, was ended. Nor are they the harsh words of a critic, although many contemporary critics were in agreement that this was a rough, brutal, ungodly book. These aren’t my views of course, in my eyes Anne Brontë’s second and final novel is a soaring work of genius. It should never have been written, and it would be better for everyone if it never saw the light of day again. The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë was an entire mistake. Anne Brontë: Writer Of Genius, Woman Of Courage.Please enter your email address to subscribe to my Anne Bronte blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.