What I found was that I liked "Villette" even more than "Jane Eyre" - and, although it was arduous at first, I found "Shirley" was better yet.

"Jane Eyre", for anyone who hasn't read it, is a wonderful gothic romance, moralistic and spiritual, a very good read and fascinating tale.

"Villette" is more mature. The author explores a deeper sort of love - not based on mere physical attraction or infatuation, but based on deep, abiding friendship and respect. This story, too, has its lessons.

The character development in "Villette" was more complete than in any other novel I've ever read. I became fascinated by the unattractive little professor, and by other characters as well.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of French in this story, and what appeared to be the most pivotal moments were written in French... dialogue that I really wanted to understand was just lost on me. That was truly unfortunate. I'll have to find someone to translate for me sometime.

"Shirley" is the best of all. The beginning is arduous. I had to use my dictionary throughout, but the beginning is particular difficult. Shall I say.. boring, even. I found that, once I forced myself through the beginning, I was very much rewarded.

This story is a gem. The female heroines - Shirley and Caroline - were wonderful to get to know. Shirley is not the sort of female I would have thought Bronte had had occasion to know, so this was enlightening for me.

Truly an eye-opening look at 19th century feminism! And incorporated into these wonderful romance stories.

"The Professor" was a bit more dry than the others, although it was fun to read a romance story strictly from the male viewpoint. For a first novel, this was really incredibly well written.

As for "Wuthering Heights", it's been a number of years since I've read the story, so I won't attempt a review here.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes "Wuthering Heights" or "Jane Eyre". All these stories are wonderfully written, with complex characters and interesting plots. The work of true genius.


The Other Sister   December 4, 2003
 49 out of 50 found this review helpful

This book provides a wonderful compilation of five great Victorian novels. While Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are well-known classics, many people are not aware of Charlotte's three other novels : Shirley, Vilette and the Professor. Shirley is my absolute favorite with its brilliantly satiric dialogue. As far as the Brontes go, Shirley is as close to being humorous as one can get. The reason I give this book four stars is because it is missing a key component: Anne Bronte. Although her talent is equivalent to that of her sisters, Anne Bronte has been unfairly marginalized as a writer. The addition of Anne's two novels Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall would truly encapsulate the essence of the close-knit Bronte sisters.


Villette   February 1, 2000
 36 out of 42 found this review helpful

Villette has recently become my all time favorite book. Although it is lacking somewhat in plot as compared to Charlotte's Jane Eyre, it is far superior in character development. Those of you who have read Jane Eyre know how incredible this statement is. I have never become so involved and emotionally tied to a character. Charlotte Bronte has put more of herself in this novel than any other author I am familiar with. If you loved Jane Eyre, you will adore Villette.


Villette is awesome!   December 4, 1999
 22 out of 26 found this review helpful

As much as I love Jane Eyre, I must say that Villette surpasses it for emotion and intellectual impact. It's the same reason I prefer this that I prefer Jane Austen's Persuasion to her Sense & Sensibility -- it's written for an older audience.


Where is Anne?   April 27, 2004
 21 out of 23 found this review helpful

The novels are wonderful, I just don't understand the editor of this edition. What was the reason for dropping the youngest Bronte sister? She is underrated enough, there's no need to emphasize it even more.