The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Penguin Classics

By: Anne Brontë

Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh

Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by acclaimed actress Adjoa Andoh, known for her extensive film, television and stage roles, including lead roles with the RSC, The National Theatre and The Almeida. She is also an Audie Award-winning audiobook narrator. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Stevie Davies.

Gilbert Markham is deeply intrigued by Helen Graham, a beautiful and secretive young woman who has moved into nearby Wildfell Hall with her young son. He is quick to offer Helen his friendship, but when her reclusive behaviour becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, Gilbert begins to wonder whether his trust in her has been misplaced. It is only when she allows Gilbert to read her diary that the truth is revealed and the shocking details of the disastrous marriage she has left behind emerge. Told with great immediacy, combined with wit and irony, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a powerful depiction of a woman's fight for domestic independence and creative freedom.

In her introduction Stevie Davies discusses The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as feminist testament, inspired by Anne Brontë's experiences as a governess and by the death of her brother Branwell Brontë, and examines the novel's language, biblical references and narrative styles.

©2019 Anne Brontë (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Exchange for a different narrator

The narration wasn’t for me. The accent was thick and heavy and I kept forgetting that it was a man writing since the narrator made the character sound like an old woman. I had high hopes for this one. I even preordered it. I had checked all the narrators available for this book hoping that audible had done a beautiful remake like they have for so many other classics. But couldn’t find one. I saw there was a new version coming out, but no sample was available, so I found the narrator and listened to some of her other works (since a good narrator really makes or breaks an audio book). She seemed pleasant enough to listen to, so I am sure she has talent, I just didn’t love how she chose to narrate this particular book. I also hated how there was an hour introduction. I don’t mind a short intro for a classic book, but please don’t add an extra hour to a book that is over 19 hours long. I haven’t read the story yet, so will change overall rating once I know how to rate this story. I ended up exchanging this for a different version of the same book.