Shirley by Charlotte Brontë: A Review

When Charlotte Brontë said this novel was "as unromantic as a Monday morning", I disagree.

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.

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.