The Brontë Project 2021 discussion

Let's discuss Chapters 1-9 in our own time. Please use the spoiler discussion for more comprehensive/spoilery chats about Villette.

My book arrived today and I’m already loving it.

Not too sure if it is because I am listening this as an audiobook but I am finding the story a little slowgoing. I am halfway into Chapter 8 and it still feels like the story and characters and still being set up.

@Mary Wong: I kind of feel the same way reading it but I guess part of that may has to do with English not being my native language. I have to re-read a lot of the longer sentences, but the longer I read, the easier it gets, just have to get back into reading English books. Also I feel like the story so far is kind of disjointed (?). I'm only through chapter 7 and don't know whether characters are being picked up again but I feel like you read one story (about Polly) than another (about the old Lady)... and you want to know more about them, they're build up quite detailed only to be dropped. It's kinda frustrating but I guess it emphasizes the instability of Lucy's life which is done very cleverly.
I'm sorry for my English, hope you guys understand what I'm trying to say :D

I can honestly say I have no idea where the book is going, but I’m enjoying it so far. The characters have been fun. I do hope Grant and the little girl make a reappearance. Maybe to off Ginevra. She could use it.

I'm enjoying it so far, although I feel like I haven't gotten to know much about Lucy Stone. Ginevra's accusations that she is puritanical and always grouchy seem fairly accurate at this point.
To be fair, though, I think I would be grouchy too if I had to work at Madame Beck's school. Having an employer who spies on you all the time, won't back you up on anything, and is willing to replace you at the slightest provocation sounds stressful.

I'm reading the free version from Project Gutenberg - it doesn't translate any of the French, so I have to keep stopping to look up the longer sentences.

Lisa wrote: "@Mary Wong: I kind of feel the same way reading it but I guess part of that may has to do with English not being my native language. I have to re-read a lot of the longer sentences, but the longer ..."

Lisa, I agree that it feels disjointed. I'm betting that Paulina will come back into the story later, but the story about the old lady definitely seemed like an unrelated side plot.

I'm loving it so far. The descriptions of Lucy wandering around London remind me of my first trip to London when I was young. I can understand people thinking it a little disjointed, I agree. But I'm loving the narrative so far.

I am enjoying the book so far. I have read pieces of it over the years, but never really got into it. Now, I am enjoying it -- probably because I am reading it for fun, not for class! I enjoy the character of Lucy Snowe and how she seems to look down on Ginevra. I like Ginevra as a character, as well. While it seems to be rather rambling, this is a typical convention of the time and one that does eventually lead to the plot of the story. Patience is needed!

I still feel Jane is the better novel at this point.

Yes, in the beginning I too felt the book was a succession of disconnected events. But things will eventual make sense. I’m lucky that j’ai étudié le Français quand j’ai était à l’école.

I just finished chapter 9. So far I have to agree with a few of you, it's rather a slow-paced and a bit disjointed narrative. I didn't like the first few chapters much. I presume Paulina will be back at some point though, but the chapter about Miss Marchmont felt a bit redundant.
However, I started enjoying the novel at the point where Lucy Snowe embarked on her journey into the unknown. She's a strange heroine, reticent and a bit preachy, and we don't really know much about her. I can't help but notice how different she is from Jane Eyre, whose character shows pretty much on page one. That's good in a way, I like that there's not much resemblance between the two.
It took some time for me to get used to the writing style, not just to the French speaking parts. Long, winding despcriptions, beautiful as they are, took some time getting used to. I was also surprised by some writing choices Charlotte Bronte used, e.g. how she personified common sense (written with capital C) in chapter 5 (Turning a New Leaf): "Into the hands of Common- sense I confided the matter... she asked the waiter for the room, she paid the porter..." I had to stop for a brief moment, wondering who 'she' was. I found that amusing.
I don't know where the plot is going next, but I think Lucy, lucky as she was to have found a job, isn't in a very envious position with Madame Beck who's constantly breathing down her neck.
Also, I'm listening to the audiobook narrated by Mandy Weston while reading the physical copy, I find this way of reading very helpful.

Really good summary which co-incides with my experience. This book is definitely challenging in a few aspects but now, having just finished Volume II, I'm starting to really enjoy it.

I just finished chapter 9, and I also have to agree with many of you that it's quite slow-paced. I also don't know, where this is going, but I'm intrigued!

Hang in there, it improves with every page.

Kaitlin wrote: "I’m far behind on where I hoped to be in Villette because unfortunately life gets in the way of my TBR but I enjoyed the first few chapters once I eventually got through them. I agree with what a l..."

Hang in there Kaitlin, it all comes together and will be interesting to see how you feel about the ending.