I love Villette and now have a list of other books on my to-read list! While I did get married in my early 20s, I grew up homeschooled and adjacent to the “Program”, and resonate so much with many things you write about here. I love the way you pulled these great books together on this topic!
Jane Eyre and Til we have Faces are two of my favourite books! Jane Eyre especially I regularly reread. I have never read Villette but this has convinced me that I must.
If you like 'Till We Have Faces' and 'Jane Eyre', then I think you will enjoy 'Villette'. I would say it is less externally dramatic, but more internally dramatic than 'Jane Eyre'.
I too, love Dorothy Sayers, I have all her books and read them frequently. My favourite is the Nine Tailors, I think - just because even though I know what happens, the suspense still gets me.
A couple of years ago I watched a version of Jane Eyre set in modern times in the format of a vlog. It was really well done and I enjoyed it, but as a result of the modern approach, I couldn't see anything but abuse in the way Mr Rochester treats Jane, and now I just can't read the book...
'The Nine Tailors' is my second favourite Sayers mystery.
Yes, I see Rochester's manipulative abuse of Jane. But it is a woman writing the story and it a complex one. Jane Eyre has experienced abuse from both men and women throughout her life and so Rochester's interest in and care for her touches a deep need in her. However, she is not blind to his controlling nature - she conciously resorts to tactics to keep him at arm's length during their engagement and internally wonders how she'll manage him during marriage. When marriage is shown to be impossible, she firmly sets aside his suggestion of living in sin and runs away as the only way of keeping herself safe. Her emotions may be captivated by Rochester, but her will is not. It is only after Rochester is physically disabled - not only blind but maimed - and Jane Eyre is financially independent of him, does he become safe to marry. Charlotte's heroes do tend to have abusive traits - I wonder if her wastrel brother and somewhat controlling father (she had to wait for her father to consent to her marriage even though she was in her late 30's and was a successful author) caused her to think men usually behaved like masters to their women. Emily Bronte's anti-hero is decidedly abusive and Anne portrays an abusive marriage in 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall'. In spite of that, Charlotte also earnestly desired marriage - in many ways, Charlotte is a very good example of that Genesis 3:16 line "Your desire will be for your husband, but he will rule over you". I think that 'Shirley' provides some valuable clues to the social environment of the Brontes.
I read Gaudy Night this year for the first time and absolutely loved it! I personally think it may be Sayer’s best work. I find it incredible how Sayers can weave profound philosophical questions and wisdom through her writings without once coming off as preachy. I laughed out loud at multiple points and forced whoever happened to be with me to “just listen to this paragraph!” 🙈
Yes, that is what I love about Sayers, how seamlessly she integrates both wise and witty observations on life into her work so effortlessly. I do think 'Gaudy Night' is her best novel. I love the atmosphere of 'The Nine Tailors' and 'Busman's Honeymoon' has some beautiful and one of the funniest scenes ever to appear in a mystery novel, but 'Gaudy Night' is the best overall. Most of her Lord Peter short stories are also delightful.
This really resonated with me, thanks for your thoughtful weaving of literature and faith. I was very struck by Lucy Snowe. The other books are on my list.
It makes me so happy to know you enjoyed what I wrote! Yes, Lucy is a very striking character. I have a thought that her vividly real character, complete with flaws and blind spots, may be the reason that people struggle to 'like' 'Villette' - it can be uncomfortable to look into a mirror of human nature. Enjoy the other two, they are so good!
I hope you enjoy them all! In a way I envy you reading these all for the first time, but they are the kind of books that are just as good on multiple readings.
Holly, I loved reading this. I loved learning a bit more about you and your family. I loved that you reminded me of two books I need to read: The Professor and Gaudy Night. I have now just ordered them.
I never could love Villette that much. I did adore Shirley! Shirley is on my re-read list because it’s been at least 25 years since I read it!
Someday, perhaps, Until They Have Faces. Perhaps. :)
Thank you for speaking for the many ways God orchestrates our lives and how there is more than one way to be part of the family of God and fruitfully so. Thank God.
I love that your mother enjoyed my edition of Jane Eyre! BTW, I have an essay coming out in Plough on the novel soon.
Thank you so much, Karen. I do like 'Shirley' and it gives a much fuller picture of northern English life on the Moors than Emily Bronte's brooding 'Wuthering Heights'. 'Villette' isn't an easy book to like - I'm not sure I 'like' it - but it does convey truth. I think you will enjoy 'The Professor', and I am certain you will like 'Gaudy Night'. I didn't love 'Till We Have Faces' the first time I read it. It gradually grew on me until it earned a place on my shelf, but when I tried reading it to my mother, she stopped me, one of the few books I've started reading to her that we didn't finish. But now, after reading this to her, she wants me to read 'Villette' to her! (We just finished the 'Vicar of Wakefield').
I love Villette and now have a list of other books on my to-read list! While I did get married in my early 20s, I grew up homeschooled and adjacent to the “Program”, and resonate so much with many things you write about here. I love the way you pulled these great books together on this topic!
Thank you! I definitely think these books have something worth saying to everyone, not just singles.
Jane Eyre and Til we have Faces are two of my favourite books! Jane Eyre especially I regularly reread. I have never read Villette but this has convinced me that I must.
If you like 'Till We Have Faces' and 'Jane Eyre', then I think you will enjoy 'Villette'. I would say it is less externally dramatic, but more internally dramatic than 'Jane Eyre'.
The internal drama is most of what I love about Jane Eyre so it sounds like I would really like Villette! Thank you ☺️
I too, love Dorothy Sayers, I have all her books and read them frequently. My favourite is the Nine Tailors, I think - just because even though I know what happens, the suspense still gets me.
A couple of years ago I watched a version of Jane Eyre set in modern times in the format of a vlog. It was really well done and I enjoyed it, but as a result of the modern approach, I couldn't see anything but abuse in the way Mr Rochester treats Jane, and now I just can't read the book...
'The Nine Tailors' is my second favourite Sayers mystery.
Yes, I see Rochester's manipulative abuse of Jane. But it is a woman writing the story and it a complex one. Jane Eyre has experienced abuse from both men and women throughout her life and so Rochester's interest in and care for her touches a deep need in her. However, she is not blind to his controlling nature - she conciously resorts to tactics to keep him at arm's length during their engagement and internally wonders how she'll manage him during marriage. When marriage is shown to be impossible, she firmly sets aside his suggestion of living in sin and runs away as the only way of keeping herself safe. Her emotions may be captivated by Rochester, but her will is not. It is only after Rochester is physically disabled - not only blind but maimed - and Jane Eyre is financially independent of him, does he become safe to marry. Charlotte's heroes do tend to have abusive traits - I wonder if her wastrel brother and somewhat controlling father (she had to wait for her father to consent to her marriage even though she was in her late 30's and was a successful author) caused her to think men usually behaved like masters to their women. Emily Bronte's anti-hero is decidedly abusive and Anne portrays an abusive marriage in 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall'. In spite of that, Charlotte also earnestly desired marriage - in many ways, Charlotte is a very good example of that Genesis 3:16 line "Your desire will be for your husband, but he will rule over you". I think that 'Shirley' provides some valuable clues to the social environment of the Brontes.
I read Gaudy Night this year for the first time and absolutely loved it! I personally think it may be Sayer’s best work. I find it incredible how Sayers can weave profound philosophical questions and wisdom through her writings without once coming off as preachy. I laughed out loud at multiple points and forced whoever happened to be with me to “just listen to this paragraph!” 🙈
Yes, that is what I love about Sayers, how seamlessly she integrates both wise and witty observations on life into her work so effortlessly. I do think 'Gaudy Night' is her best novel. I love the atmosphere of 'The Nine Tailors' and 'Busman's Honeymoon' has some beautiful and one of the funniest scenes ever to appear in a mystery novel, but 'Gaudy Night' is the best overall. Most of her Lord Peter short stories are also delightful.
This really resonated with me, thanks for your thoughtful weaving of literature and faith. I was very struck by Lucy Snowe. The other books are on my list.
It makes me so happy to know you enjoyed what I wrote! Yes, Lucy is a very striking character. I have a thought that her vividly real character, complete with flaws and blind spots, may be the reason that people struggle to 'like' 'Villette' - it can be uncomfortable to look into a mirror of human nature. Enjoy the other two, they are so good!
Good point!
I’m in the middle of Til we have Faces (really enjoying it) and putting the rest of these on my TBR list. I’ll come back to read your reviews.
I hope you enjoy them all! In a way I envy you reading these all for the first time, but they are the kind of books that are just as good on multiple readings.
Holly, I loved reading this. I loved learning a bit more about you and your family. I loved that you reminded me of two books I need to read: The Professor and Gaudy Night. I have now just ordered them.
I never could love Villette that much. I did adore Shirley! Shirley is on my re-read list because it’s been at least 25 years since I read it!
Someday, perhaps, Until They Have Faces. Perhaps. :)
Thank you for speaking for the many ways God orchestrates our lives and how there is more than one way to be part of the family of God and fruitfully so. Thank God.
I love that your mother enjoyed my edition of Jane Eyre! BTW, I have an essay coming out in Plough on the novel soon.
Thank you so much, Karen. I do like 'Shirley' and it gives a much fuller picture of northern English life on the Moors than Emily Bronte's brooding 'Wuthering Heights'. 'Villette' isn't an easy book to like - I'm not sure I 'like' it - but it does convey truth. I think you will enjoy 'The Professor', and I am certain you will like 'Gaudy Night'. I didn't love 'Till We Have Faces' the first time I read it. It gradually grew on me until it earned a place on my shelf, but when I tried reading it to my mother, she stopped me, one of the few books I've started reading to her that we didn't finish. But now, after reading this to her, she wants me to read 'Villette' to her! (We just finished the 'Vicar of Wakefield').
I look forward to seeing your article in Plough.