When Charlotte Brontë said this novel was "as unromantic as a Monday morning", I disagree.
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| source: wikipedia |
Maybe when compared to Jane Eyre (one of my favorite novels of all time) it is seemingly unromantic, but this is a story about love... real love.
The first 1/3 of the book I was a bit confused. It felt like a history lesson mixed with some narrative. It dragged a bit, but I was into it.
After we meet Shirley Keeldar and she and Caroline Hellstone form a friendship, the story just takes off from there.
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| source: kobo cover |
Here are the universal themes present in the novel:
- love
- loss
- friendship
- family
- responsiblity
- duty
- progress vs stagnation
- class issues
- regret
- despair
- jealousy
- independence
- feminism
Rarely do I hear the Brontës touted as feminist, but the more I read and reread their works, the more the theme of truly independent women swims throughout.
Shirley Keeldar not only has the name of a man, she has the mannerisms of a man as well. This is extremely forward thinking for a novel written in 1849. I was so entranced by Shirley's thread of hard work, honesty and strength, I honestly found myself genuinely admiring her.
I know that the Brontë's other works are more prominently known, but I implore you to read Shirley if you are looking for a quiet Victorian novel that will weaves industry, intrigue, love, family, and passion together. It will frustrate you. It will inspire you.
Happy deep reading my slow living friends.
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