A Worthy read
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This is probably my least favourite of all the Bronte novels. Charlotte set this one at the time of the Luddite riots and the machine breaking, with the political issues allowed to take up a fairly sizeable chunk of the book. As such I found this hard, hard work, as you really do need some kind of basic knowledge of the history and politics of the day to make this more than just comprehensible. I thought this was an uneven novel, with flashes of brilliance which were just drowned out by the worthiness of the material and the way she treats it. It is laudable that she was clearly trying to broaden her horizons as a writer, but for me as the reader, not that enjoyable. I found it extremely hard work and ultimately unrewarding.
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An uneven read
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This is a very uneven book, and doesn’t have the power to take you on a journey from cover to cover like 'Jane Eyre' and 'Villette'. The beginning of the story, which is involved with local and religious politics, is quite hard going, and I found the male characters quite difficult to imagine, even though they’re all described at great length. The character of Caroline Helstone is engaging and sympathetic, but she seems to fall out of focus towards the end. Shirley herself is certainly lively, but not very likable. There are some beautiful descriptive scenes now and again, particularly in the snowy chapter called ‘The Schoolboy and the Wood Nymph’. Altogether I didn’t find this novel very satisfying as a story, but Bronte's narrative voice is like a witty friend throughout.
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A novel of great depth, rewarding to read
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'Shirley' did not grab my attention from the outset as it is densely written; each sentence must be carefully read, not skimmed over. As you can read from the synopsis on the cover, the novel is set in a fragile social and economic situation, but the novel concerns so much more than Luddite riots. Charlotte Bronte takes us into the hearts and minds of the characters as they are challenged by their surroundings, their church and each other. In the starkest terms it concerns loneliness and companionship, love and enmity. It is testament to her writing that months after reading it, I still feel as if I know the central characters almost better than they know themselves. To me, the world we are drawn into in 'Shirley' seems more real than that of 'Jane Eyre'. It is a wonderful book and I do not know why it is so neglected in comparison. It may take a while to get to grips with, but the result is worth the wait.
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A work of maturity which perhaps lacks Jane Eyre's drama
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A reader from Inverness, Scotland. "Shirley" is perhaps Charlotte Brontë's least known work; nevertheless, it is a work of maturity and razor-sharp perception. Certainly, those who loved the vigour and drama of "Jane Eyre" - her indisputable chef d'oeuvre - may be disappointed by the more 'salutary' "Shirley." Shirley is the vivacious character that is the driving force of the novel, in which the economic unease of the Luddite riots provides a historical background, which Brontë facilitates in her study of society. This is a book for those who are dedicated fans: it is more solid than her other works. But there is no mistaking that this is a work of Charlotte Brontë: for, although it is not autobiographical, the character of Shirley is Charlotte Brontë's perception of her own sister, Emily. Be prepared for a solid read - but don't be put off by that - it's well worth it!
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