Published in 1996 (first published 1848)
576 pages
Anne Brontë (1820–1849) was an English poet and novelist—the youngest of the famous Brontë sisters. Throughout her brief career, she developed a reputation as an unwaveringly realistic writer in an era when candor was uncommon. Brontë was first published with her sisters under a pseudonym, with the poetry collection Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell in 1846. She then wrote the semiautobiographical Agnes Grey and followed that with the daring Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Soon after the deaths of her sister Emily and her brother, Branwell, Brontë succumbed to tuberculosis and died.
What is this book about?
By far the most shocking of all the Brontë novels, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall paints a brutally vivid picture of nineteenth century alcoholism and debauchery and the desperate predicament of Helen, who is trapped in an abusive marriage. Standing up to her appalling husband in an era when women and wives had few rights was incredibly difficult, but her perseverance pays off. It was Anne Brontë’s second and last novel and was an instant best seller – all the copies printed sold out within just six weeks.
Considered one of the earliest feminist novels, it’s just as accessible and enjoyable for today’s modern readers as it would have been when first published over 150 years ago and is one of the great works of English literature that continues to be widely read throughout the world.This meticulous edition from Heritage Illustrated Publishing is a faithful reproduction of the original text and is beautifully illustrated with a number of atmospheric historical paintings that reflect the mood of the novel.
