Are there any men who enjoy the Bronte novels?

[Delilah]

I've just never run into a guy who does like Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. One guy told me that the scene between Jane and Rochester where he begs her to stay is depressing,lol! If only I could find a guy who does...

[Lumo]

I read Jane Eyre a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I certainly liked it better than a lot of the modern fiction. However despite having picked it up a few times and looked at it, I have never bought/read Wuthering Heights, but some day I probably will.

[Delilah]

Lol well there's one!

[Books do furnish a room]

There's at least two!!

[Dr Bill]

Three. Only read Jane Eyre mind you.

[ian]

four - I've read most of the Bronte's sisters books (Jane Eyre probably being my favourite), plus most of Jane Austen. I've enjoyed them all.

[Delilah]

Wow. So guys what did you like about these novels?

Jane Eyre I liked, I think because of the dialogue between Rochester and Jane. I think some novels nowadays focus too much on description and less on character development.

 

Wuthering Heights appealed to me because of the idea of a love stronger than death. Both novels are very passionate!

[Books do furnish a room]

I loved the passion in both novels. I read Jane Eyre in my early teens and just enjoyed the story. I read Wuthering Heights later and the Gothic element appealed; I read it Just before Kate Bush did Wuthering Heights. That helped!!

[ian]

I'd agree with Furnish, they are just good stories, and so appeal to both men and women.

[Milo MInderbinder]

I started EB's Wuthering Heights on Monday and I'm nearly halfway through it. Brilliant novel so far!

[willoyd]

Both books are in my all-time top dozen. Why do I like them? They are thoroughly complete: gripping plot, fabulous settings, wonderfully intense characters, amazing back story. I live quite close by to Haworth, and they breathe the moors. Just love them.

BTW, like Ian, I'm also a fan of Jane Austen

[Delilah]

Both books are in my all-time top dozen. Why do I like them? They are thoroughly complete: gripping plot, fabulous settings, wonderfully intense characters, amazing back story. I live quite close by to Haworth, and they breathe the moors. Just love them.

BTW, like Ian, I'm also a fan of Jane Austen

 

How refreshing to know. It always had seemed to me that British men are more intellectual than American men. How I would love to visit Haworth. I went to London last year but Haworth was just so far away and me being a tourist, London was hard enough for me. Next time when I visit a foreign country I would like to do an escorted tour. I get lost so many times in London. But I can't find any tour that goes to Haworth.

[willoyd]

Next time when I visit a foreign country I would like to do an escorted tour. I get lost so many times in London. But I can't find any tour that goes to Haworth.

Haworth is considerably less difficult to get lost in, so you'd probably not need a tour. However, several companies do tours of the area, from strolls around the town to more extensive walks that include routes up on to the moors and to surrounding features. The museum at Bronte Parsonage is excellent.

Haworth itself is easy to get to by public transport, being on the Haworth and Worth Valley Railway - a volunteer run steam railway that runs regular services from the mainline station at Keighley. We use it regularly (it's also well known as the location for much of the filming of The Railway Children, a very popular family film of the book in the UK).

[Douglas]

I love the novels by the Bronte sisters! I've read JANE EYRE AND WUTHERING HEIGHTS; and now I'm reading SHIRLEY. 

[KEV67]

I liked Wuthering Heights. Odd sort of book, but poetic. I actually liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall on the whole. I think AB must have really witnessed behaviour like that to describe it so vividly. Chicks really love Jane Eyre, but I am prejudiced against it because I had to study it for O level. I read Shirley as well, but I was disappointed with that. I thought it was going to be a factory novel like North and South, Mary Barton and Hard Times, but it just was not very good.

[Titus Groan]

I am a Man and I really enjoy the Brontes. I Believe all of them are very good. With Emily being one of my very favourite authors ever. 

 

Strangely however I cannot stand Jane Austen in contrast. Obviously I am happy for those who can enjoy her work but for me she is almost unreadable.

[Loretta]

On 22/07/2018 at 3:25 PM, Titus Groan said:

I am a Man and I really enjoy the Brontes. I Believe all of them are very good. With Emily being one of my very favourite authors ever. 

 

Strangely however I cannot stand Jane Austen in contrast. Obviously I am happy for those who can enjoy her work but for me she is almost unreadable.

 

I know what you mean about Jane Austen and agree with you.  At school ( all girls) we had both Jane Eyre and Pride and Predjudice as set books. Practically everyone finished reading Jane Eyre within a week, and by the end of the book had fallen madly in love with Mr Rochester. (including me!) 

Pride and Predjudice on the other hand was a chore to read. We slogged it out for a whole year. At the time, I  remember it being all about manners a snobbism. Maybe we were too young at 12yrs?

 

Although I didn’t enjoy reading Pride and Prejudice, I always enjoy watching the film and tv versions of the book.

 

Oh, I meant to add... I know a man who enjoyed reading Jane Eyre. He liked her strong character.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Loretta

[KEV67]

I thought Wuthering Heights was great. I actually liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I did not think much of Shirley. We studied Jane Eyre at school for O level and that poisoned that book for me. I think it is a bad idea teaching books like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice to schoolboys.

 

Oops, looks like I already replied to this thread. Well, I have not changed my mind.

Edited December 27, 2020 by KEV67

[KEV67]

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall was patchy. The last part was female wish fulfillment, it seemed to me. It did have three really good bits though ( spoilers) :

 

1) All the terrible behaviour by Helen's husband. It is so vivid. EB must have witnessed it to describe it.

 

2) The bit when Helen's husband was dying and was wondering about the afterlife. Particularly effecting when the character in question was probably based on Branwell, her brother. They all famously died young. EB was a clergyman's daughter, but this chapter does not follow Christian orthodoxy. At least it admits to doubts about it.

 

3) The best bit was when to the dude (forgot his name) hits Helen's brother with the stock of his horse whip. He does not know he is her brother. He thinks he is his successful rival who is taunting him, despite being told to back off. It is a shockingly violent act by the hero of the book. The dude goes back to help the man he assaulted, but the victim refuses his help. I thought that was a great description of masculine (although reprehensible) behaviour.

[David Dyches]

I’ve read Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and am currently halfway through The Tenant of Winterfell Hall. I’m an older, married, retired gentleman. Perhaps that explains my interest in these books that tell stories of the human experience so beautifully. I doubt I could have appreciated  these books when I was younger, but I’m really glad I gave them a try. The sisters are compelling, even after 180ish years. Thank goodness for great literature! Peace to all, happy reading!

[David Dyches]

Wildfell Hall. I really am getting older! 😂

[lunababymoonchild]

Hello David and welcome to the forum.  

 

I don't know if men read these books but I'm glad that you do and hope that you enjoy them.

[Danspaghettiman]

I read Jayne Eyre and really enjoyed it until I followed with Wuthering Heights which I loved. What a book! It has everything - plot, description, characters. 

[friendofbooks]

These works tend to attract more women, but many men appreciate them for their deep themes, strong characters, and emotional richness. But personally, I really like them.