I finished it yesterday!! I’m lucky to be able to read French. Initially the book looked a bit disjointed but then it became quite coherent. I liked to follow the inner thoughts of Lucy and enjoyed the second part of the book (after the collapse) more. Now that I know what the book is about, I think I’ll enjoy a second reading more. So many people seem to dislike Lucy but I liked her a lot, I find her comments so funny. I think she was a true friend to Ginevra. In the end we even see how she was really worried about her son, and then relaxes when she understands G was exaggerating. G is admirable because she never gets angry with Lucy in spite of her harshness. M. Bassompièrre and Mrs. Bretton know her a bit. And they like her.
Thank you for all of your insightful thoughts! I never thought that Lucy's comments had any humor in them, but that's a really interesting interpretation of her character. I think a lot of characters know Lucy a bit and certainly like what they see in her, but don't fully grasp the depth of her character.
Agree, actually this book is full with humor, especially Lucy and Paul scenes are pure comedy gold, Paul's childish jelaousy and the way Lucy enjoys to tease him :D
It is a rather hypnotic and haunting book. I've often felt the urge to reread a book right after I've finished it, but have never actually done it before. I'm glad Villette resonated so strongly with you.
I appreciate your discussion. It really enhances my enjoyment of the book. This was my first time reading Villette and I loved it! I was so intrigued by Lucy. She is so different from other heroines and the way she is written made me feel a lot of sympathy for her and root for her! I finished it in January but just the other day I thought of Lucy in her new home and school and it made me smile.
I'm glad that you found the discussion useful! Lucy Snowe is certainly a strange heroine. Tilly posted in the comments here somewhere that Bronte characters are most fulfilled when they are running their own schools, and I think it's so true!
So glad I found this channel! I will say that there are ways that Villette is more difficult than Jane Eyre, and I love them both. But I have found that personally, (I may be a unicorn here 😅) I always find myself re-reading Villette instead of Jane Eyre. There is something about Lucy not telling us much about herself that actually does communicate a lot about herself, and maybe that’s what I love about it. No matter the differences in favor of Jane Eyre of Villette, I think it’s amazing that an author can so beautifully make two sort of autobiographical narrators so different from each other in terms of self-expression. 😃
I'm delighted that you found my channel as well! Apologies for the belated reply. I've been taking a bit of a break from Booktube and comments lately. I think there are some people who greatly prefer Villette over Jane Eyre. I think they are in the minority though. Regardless, Lucy is a fascinating narrator and character in a very different way than Jane. I think Charlotte Bronte has the most diversity and breadth to her writing out of the three Bronte sisters.
Love hearing all your insights about this book! Ive only read it once, and that was around 2006 I think. I’m glad that I took a year of French in high school which made it easier to guess what was going on in the dialogue when I read Villette. I love what y’all said about Lucy trying on different identities for other people and their expectations.
I also enjoyed Villette a lot less the second time round - in all honesty I found it pretty tough to finish the reread. Really enjoyed your discussion though! Particularly the points about Lucy as a heroine versus the more conventional Victorian romances going on in the background. Bronte characters often seem happiest when they are running their own schools - Agnes Grey, Jane Eyre for a while and Lucy at the end of Villette. It seems like it was the ultimate fulfilling career available for a respectable woman and it seems like it would be very rewarding.
I love the thought of Bronte characters as happiest and most in their element when they are running their own schools! It's so true and seems like one of the few venues of independence and intellectual stimulation available to women.
This was very interesting and it offered new perspectives on Lucy Snow as a heroine. I struggled so much with this book last year that I'm not able to say that I enjoyed it. I agree about the interesting ending that can be interpreted in different ways. Jane Eyre will always be far above Villette for me. But you've made me look forward to reading The Professor, which is the last of Charlotte's novel I have yet to read.
I understand caring for Jane far more than Lucy Snowe! I hope I didn't get you too excited about The Professor. The appeal for me was mostly as a comparison to Villette and an insight into Charlotte's writing process and evolution of ideas in her work. I hope these two don't dissuade you from reading more Bronte books later in the year! I'm so excited for Anne's work!
Fascinating discussion! The ending of Villette felt a bit manipulative or gratuitous to me, but maybe it's just that it resolved in a way that despite adding hope, continued to be in a tragic cycle.
Great discussion guys, I’m still half way through and this is the first time I’ve read Villette. It has a lot of interesting things to think about and discuss but is not so enjoyable to read. I do like Lucy but would love to know what happened to her family as I’m sure that has shaped some of her idiosyncrasies.
Uh oh! I hope we didn't spoil everything for you! Yea, my love for this book comes from discussing it rather than reading it, which is a bit of a shame. Ideally books spark joy both from reading and subsequent discussion! I do wonder how much Lucy truly remembers about her family. I always thought that she didn't remember or know anything about them, but she withholds so much from the reader throughout the book. It's actually quite likely she remembers quite a bit about her parents that she chooses not to divulge with us.
If it weren't for the last sentence of the book, I would consider the ending clearly ambiguous. That last line informs us that her enemies have thrived... I also like to think for the first part of the book the relationship between Charlotte and her editor. Maybe one explaination about why Lucy doesn't show us her feelings for Graham, is that the real Graham was reading it at that time. Charlotte used to edit Villette with a scissor in some parts concerning Graham. It must have been tantalising for him to wonder what he couldn't see.
When I read Villette I thought there were striking similarities between Rosalie the spoiled, flirty older daughter in Agnes Gray and Ginevra in Villette. Villette was published 6 years after Agnes Gray. I’m pretty sure Ann Bronte was dead by 1853 when Villette was published. I am suspicious that Charlotte lifted the character from Ann’s book. I don’t remember where I read the rumor that Charlotte liked to write in French because it reminded her of the married headmaster at the school in Brussels where she taught briefly. It was an unrequited love. It’s interesting that in Shirley as well she incorporates many French passages. Also, again in Shirley, the male love interest early on in the story, Robert, is almost disinterested in returning Caroline’s affection. Then later in the story Shirley’s love interest was a French tutor. (Another excuse to write in French.) Did either of you see a parallel between Lucy Snow’s strange summertime wandering in the countryside with Jane Eyre’s episode wandering in wind and rain swept moors.
Thank you for all of your thoughts! I'll have to keep the idea of the similarities between Rosalie and Ginevra in mind as I reread Agnes Gray in April. Currently, I don't even remember the character of Rosalie, which is why a reread is in order! So many of Charlotte's books are infused with French, and she is a big fan of exploring unrequited love as well. Even the books that end in marriage like Jane Eyre seem like unrequited love stories until their convenient endings. And I do think there is a bit of a parallel there between Lucy and Jane's nature wanderings!
This was great! I read _Villette_ #Victober2019, enjoyed it, but had a crappy edition w no French translations nor notes. I read _Shirley_ last #Victober and I think I like it better 🤔😎😉
I have not read since...either high school or college---aaaaaages ago! Sad that it was a cloudier reading experience reading now. :/ Enjoying the comments below. 😊
For me Villette was not a easy read in some parts. However I like the exploration of depression and how the author brought across a true sense of lonliness that came with the profession. Truly not the first Bronte to read though.
Yea... maybe I should make a video all about the best order to read the Bronte books! The intention for this project was really about my personal rereading experience.
I finished it yesterday!!
I’m lucky to be able to read French.
Initially the book looked a bit disjointed but then it became quite coherent.
I liked to follow the inner thoughts of Lucy and enjoyed the second part of the book (after the collapse) more.
Now that I know what the book is about, I think I’ll enjoy a second reading more.
So many people seem to dislike Lucy but I liked her a lot, I find her comments so funny.
I think she was a true friend to Ginevra. In the end we even see how she was really worried about her son, and then relaxes when she understands G was exaggerating.
G is admirable because she never gets angry with Lucy in spite of her harshness.
M. Bassompièrre and Mrs. Bretton know her a bit. And they like her.
Thank you for all of your insightful thoughts! I never thought that Lucy's comments had any humor in them, but that's a really interesting interpretation of her character. I think a lot of characters know Lucy a bit and certainly like what they see in her, but don't fully grasp the depth of her character.
Agree, actually this book is full with humor, especially Lucy and Paul scenes are pure comedy gold, Paul's childish jelaousy and the way Lucy enjoys to tease him :D
For me "Villette" was the most hypnotic and haunting of all the Bronte novels. I found it utterly mesmerizing. As soon as I finished it, I re-read it.
It is a rather hypnotic and haunting book. I've often felt the urge to reread a book right after I've finished it, but have never actually done it before. I'm glad Villette resonated so strongly with you.
I love her. Especially her assessment of others. I don’t find it judgemental at all.
I appreciate your discussion. It really enhances my enjoyment of the book. This was my first time reading Villette and I loved it! I was so intrigued by Lucy. She is so different from other heroines and the way she is written made me feel a lot of sympathy for her and root for her! I finished it in January but just the other day I thought of Lucy in her new home and school and it made me smile.
I'm glad that you found the discussion useful! Lucy Snowe is certainly a strange heroine. Tilly posted in the comments here somewhere that Bronte characters are most fulfilled when they are running their own schools, and I think it's so true!
So glad I found this channel! I will say that there are ways that Villette is more difficult than Jane Eyre, and I love them both. But I have found that personally, (I may be a unicorn here 😅) I always find myself re-reading Villette instead of Jane Eyre. There is something about Lucy not telling us much about herself that actually does communicate a lot about herself, and maybe that’s what I love about it.
No matter the differences in favor of Jane Eyre of Villette, I think it’s amazing that an author can so beautifully make two sort of autobiographical narrators so different from each other in terms of self-expression. 😃
I'm delighted that you found my channel as well! Apologies for the belated reply. I've been taking a bit of a break from Booktube and comments lately. I think there are some people who greatly prefer Villette over Jane Eyre. I think they are in the minority though. Regardless, Lucy is a fascinating narrator and character in a very different way than Jane. I think Charlotte Bronte has the most diversity and breadth to her writing out of the three Bronte sisters.
Love hearing all your insights about this book! Ive only read it once, and that was around 2006 I think. I’m glad that I took a year of French in high school which made it easier to guess what was going on in the dialogue when I read Villette.
I love what y’all said about Lucy trying on different identities for other people and their expectations.
I also enjoyed Villette a lot less the second time round - in all honesty I found it pretty tough to finish the reread. Really enjoyed your discussion though! Particularly the points about Lucy as a heroine versus the more conventional Victorian romances going on in the background. Bronte characters often seem happiest when they are running their own schools - Agnes Grey, Jane Eyre for a while and Lucy at the end of Villette. It seems like it was the ultimate fulfilling career available for a respectable woman and it seems like it would be very rewarding.
I love the thought of Bronte characters as happiest and most in their element when they are running their own schools! It's so true and seems like one of the few venues of independence and intellectual stimulation available to women.
This was very interesting and it offered new perspectives on Lucy Snow as a heroine. I struggled so much with this book last year that I'm not able to say that I enjoyed it. I agree about the interesting ending that can be interpreted in different ways.
Jane Eyre will always be far above Villette for me. But you've made me look forward to reading The Professor, which is the last of Charlotte's novel I have yet to read.
I understand caring for Jane far more than Lucy Snowe! I hope I didn't get you too excited about The Professor. The appeal for me was mostly as a comparison to Villette and an insight into Charlotte's writing process and evolution of ideas in her work. I hope these two don't dissuade you from reading more Bronte books later in the year! I'm so excited for Anne's work!
Fascinating discussion! The ending of Villette felt a bit manipulative or gratuitous to me, but maybe it's just that it resolved in a way that despite adding hope, continued to be in a tragic cycle.
Yea, I understand feeling like the ending was a bit manipulative. Then again I feel like Lucy's narrative is a bit manipulative in general.
@@BlatantlyBookish Oh, so true!
@@BlatantlyBookish there's substantial foreshadowing in Chapter 4
I have not read it in over ten years
Great discussion guys, I’m still half way through and this is the first time I’ve read Villette. It has a lot of interesting things to think about and discuss but is not so enjoyable to read. I do like Lucy but would love to know what happened to her family as I’m sure that has shaped some of her idiosyncrasies.
Uh oh! I hope we didn't spoil everything for you! Yea, my love for this book comes from discussing it rather than reading it, which is a bit of a shame. Ideally books spark joy both from reading and subsequent discussion! I do wonder how much Lucy truly remembers about her family. I always thought that she didn't remember or know anything about them, but she withholds so much from the reader throughout the book. It's actually quite likely she remembers quite a bit about her parents that she chooses not to divulge with us.
If it weren't for the last sentence of the book, I would consider the ending clearly ambiguous. That last line informs us that her enemies have thrived...
I also like to think for the first part of the book the relationship between Charlotte and her editor. Maybe one explaination about why Lucy doesn't show us her feelings for Graham, is that the real Graham was reading it at that time. Charlotte used to edit Villette with a scissor in some parts concerning Graham. It must have been tantalising for him to wonder what he couldn't see.
Interesting perspective!
When I read Villette I thought there were striking similarities between Rosalie the spoiled, flirty older daughter in Agnes Gray and Ginevra in Villette. Villette was published 6 years after Agnes Gray. I’m pretty sure Ann Bronte was dead by 1853 when Villette was published. I am suspicious that Charlotte lifted the character from Ann’s book.
I don’t remember where I read the rumor that Charlotte liked to write in French because it reminded her of the married headmaster at the school in Brussels where she taught briefly. It was an unrequited love. It’s interesting that in Shirley as well she incorporates many French passages. Also, again in Shirley, the male love interest early on in the story, Robert, is almost disinterested in returning Caroline’s affection. Then later in the story Shirley’s love interest was a French tutor. (Another excuse to write in French.)
Did either of you see a parallel between Lucy Snow’s strange summertime wandering in the countryside with Jane Eyre’s episode wandering in wind and rain swept moors.
Thank you for all of your thoughts! I'll have to keep the idea of the similarities between Rosalie and Ginevra in mind as I reread Agnes Gray in April. Currently, I don't even remember the character of Rosalie, which is why a reread is in order! So many of Charlotte's books are infused with French, and she is a big fan of exploring unrequited love as well. Even the books that end in marriage like Jane Eyre seem like unrequited love stories until their convenient endings. And I do think there is a bit of a parallel there between Lucy and Jane's nature wanderings!
i seen this villet in dream it was my t shirt logo write there and villet and its indicat! Which countryade i t shirt and price also
This was great! I read _Villette_ #Victober2019, enjoyed it, but had a crappy edition w no French translations nor notes. I read _Shirley_ last #Victober and I think I like it better 🤔😎😉
Thank you! I wonder if I'll like Shirley better. They really are such different books. I'm most excited to reread Anne's work this year I think!
I have not read since...either high school or college---aaaaaages ago! Sad that it was a cloudier reading experience reading now. :/ Enjoying the comments below. 😊
For me Villette was not a easy read in some parts. However I like the exploration of depression and how the author brought across a true sense of lonliness that came with the profession. Truly not the first Bronte to read though.
Yea... maybe I should make a video all about the best order to read the Bronte books! The intention for this project was really about my personal rereading experience.
May you tell me if this book has any kisses or 18+ scenes !! 😊 thank uu
I read this book recently and I have to dissapoint you. But the way feelings were writen were interesting and moving. I liked it though.
The fact that Charlotte’s family had all died when she wrote this is a bit of a parallel to Lucy’s life.
Yes, there are a lot of autobiographical readings of this book!
Her father was still alive