Unfairly judged by her sisters and critics, Anne Bronte had a singular vision of women's rights that extended beyond the 'rights' given in her own time. Divided into a unique three-part style, we learn of Helen Huntington's life via Gilbert Markham's letters--and in the middle, her own diary, which he transcribes faithfully. Escaping the corrupting influence of her husband (whom she admits it was a mistake to marry), Helen flees for the sake of her son Arthur, carrying him away to the remote Wildfell Hall. With a strong sense of her religious convictions and duty, Helen revolts against the idea that men may go off and have affairs, get drunk,--in short, 'be a man'--whilst she and her son suffer the consequences of such heathen behavior. 535 pages, softcover, with an introduction and notes. |
