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The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

By: Anne Brontë
Narrated by: Alex Jennings, Jenny Agutter
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Publisher's Summary

Exclusively from Audible

The story of a woman's struggle for independence from an abusive husband. Helen 'Graham' has returned to Wildfell Hall in flight from a disastrous marriage and to protect her young son from the influence of his father.

Exiled to the desolate moorland mansion, she adopts an assumed name and earns her living as a painter. Gilbert Markham, a local man intrigued by the beautiful young 'widow' offers his friendship but becomes distrustful when her reclusive behaviour sparks rumours and speculation. When she offers her diary for him to read only then does he discover the dark truth of her shocking past.

The second and last novel written by Anne Brontë, the youngest of the six Brontë children, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall deals with alcoholism, physical and emotional abuse, unhappy marriages and adultery. Anne's novels are distinctly different from that of her sisters, filled with gritty realism. After her death, Anne's sister, Charlotte, prevented its republication perhaps due to her belief that it was overly graphic and an 'entire mistake'.

Despite first being published in 1848, The Independent described it as a 'frighteningly up-to-date tale of single motherhood and wife-battering.' It is considered one of the more shocking of the Brontë stories and due to Helen's breaking of social convention and law holds firm as one of the first feminist novels.

Narrator Biography

Three-time Olivier Award winner actor Alex Jennings is known for portraying Prince Charles in The Queen (2006) as well as appearing in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Babel (2006) and The Lady in the Van (2015). His television work has included Cranford (2007), Silk (2011-2014), and Victoria (2016). He has narrated many audiobooks including Charlie Connelly's Attention All Shipping, which in 2008 was chosen as one of the top 40 audiobooks of all time.

Jenny Agutter began her acting career as a child in 1964's East of Sudan and is well known for appearing in three adaptations of The Railway Children. She starred in the critically acclaimed 1971 film Walkabout as well as receiving a string of Hollywood roles. She won an Emmy for her role in The Snow Goose (1971), as well as a BAFTA for her role in Equus (1997). More recently she has appeared in several television dramas, including Spooks (2002-2003), and Call the Midwife since 2012. She has performed in numerous theatre productions, including roles with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She has also narrated audiobooks Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle and Jane Austen's Emma and featured in the Doctor Who audio dramas The Bride of Peladon and The Minister of Chance. In 2012 she was appointed OBE for her charity work.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc

What listeners say about The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Average Customer Ratings
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The more things change the more they stay the same

It seems that conversations about child rearing and relationships haven't changed THAT much over the last century or two, even if some details change.
I loved Bronte's well drawn, complex characterisations, as well as her skillful narration through the writings of Helen and Markham.
This performance on Audible is terrific. I particularly appreciated the use of two different readers.

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The Bronté Sisters

Never fail to fascinate and inspire me. How is it possible to have such literary talent in one family? The narration of this novel was simply outstanding.

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Outrageously Good!

This offers a powerful polemic on the dangers of how we raise our kids that is just as relevant today and the 19th century, wrapped up in gothic and soap opera goodness.

And a wonderful dual narration too!

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The Forgotten Brontë

Well maybe not forgotten but not nearly as widely read as her sisters and after listening to this wonderful book I can’t understand why Anne Brontë is not more popular. Great story, characters and ahead of its time in the commentary about a woman’s place in society and the constraints there in - Highly recommended

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Interesting but long winded

Overall I found this an enjoyable listen if you like the classics as I do.
However, I felt it would have been better had the story been less protracted.

Definitely a slow burning tale with a hefty dose of self sacrifice of unbelievable proportions yet I was swept up in it.

Narration was good by both narrators.

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Great book, good narrators

Audio could be a little more crisp. Female narrator is excellent and the male narrator is good.

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Delightful

This book was beautifully written, and the performance of the more than did it justice. It was astounding to experience to enjoy.

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brilliantly read, another great Bronte story

The excellent narration really made this book enjoyable. I did struggle to grasp the main story arc as it seems to wander along and often drawn out, but got there in the end.

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  • D
  • 02-11-2021

Try the abridged version?

I get that it was a great feminist read at the time. But damn does it go on and on.
I think an abridged version would be much more enjoyable.
Like Anne's first book it's predictable and very little happens.
The two main characters are annoying in their trepidations. However it's interesting to see the transition from a innocent youth to wisened adult.

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Review.

l enjoyed this book , its story line, the discretion of the english countryside. The caricatures of the time and way of life.

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