The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

 The only other thing I have read by Anne Brontë is Agnes Grey, and compared to it I did find The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to be a much better book. Jo recommended this book to me saying this novel actually did what Mating failed to do, that is, talk about relationships in a way that is actually relevant to people thinking seriously about them. Indeed the relationship between Gilbert and Helen is more admirable than the relationship between the unnamed protagonist in Mating and Nelson Denoon. At the same time, I would not say that Gilbert and Helen's relationship was a good example. It seemed to me that Gilbert was a little too immature. That may have been because that was the first time he was experiencing being in love—and yes, I am saying that that childish infatuation he had for Eliza does not count. Perhaps I saw too much of myself in Gilbert, which made me dislike both him and me. Helen was a better person. The things I disliked about her are of a different nature. I simply disliked how strong her religious convictions were. I hated how she was fine giving up the chance of being happy with Gilbert while alive with the excuse that they could be together in paradise after they died. I hated that her idea of perfect love meant loving literally everyone with the same intensity, with no special distinction for Gilbert. What is the point of being in love, then? There were a few good plot twists, and one very good moment of suspense there when we thought that Helen might be marrying Mr Hargrave. That was gossip among townspeople at its best.
  I am left still looking for a love story that may teach me something valuable. A relationship that I can admire. If you know of any, please do let me know.

Mating

 Quite a disappointment. In the article Is True Love Possible? Readers Are Turning to This 1990s Novel for Answers, Marie Solis described this book as having "achieved handshake status among young readers thinking seriously about romantic relationships." Which to me was quite a compelling description. Mating does start strong, I did like the unnamed protagonist's initial relationships and the descriptions of African nature. But when it turns to her main relationship, i.e. her relationship with Nelson Denoon, things start to go downhill. I do not think much can be learnt from that relationship. It is not a healthy relationship. In fact, it very much seemed like the protagonist was obssessed with Nelson. She wanted to be in a relationship with him so badly even though it was clear (to me) that she knew right from the beginning that she did not want to stay in Tsau for long. So the story becomes one of her trying to get Nelson out of Tsau at all cost. Except, Nelson does not want to leave. Inevitably, the only thing that can happen in that situation is that the relationship deteriorates because she is not getting what she wants. I do not think the book answers the question "is true love possible?" It does not even try to answer it. Perhaps because of that I felt that the book was such a disappointment. But even the plot per se was not very interesting. The monologues on socialism and politics were honestly quite dull. I do not think I would recommend this book.

A Gathering Light

 This book reminded me of Katherine Clements's The Silvered Heart, except A Gathering Light is better. Both are novels based on historical events yet I found myself more interested in the tale Jennifer Donnelly was telling. There were no gratuitous sex scenes, which might have helped create a more elegant narrative. Yet, there was something missing. At several points I felt I was reading a children's book: a simple and somewhat shallow story. Given the various times we were told of how fond Matt was of writing stories that portrayed the real challenges of life, and given all the misfortunes that actually happen in the book, there was a point where I genuinely thought the book would end on a bitter note. That is why I was pleasantly surprised when Matt took the right decisions and left Royal, paid the Hubbards' taxes, and finally decided to go to university. Not that I thought that Royal was not a good match for Matt. It is just that Royal, in his anger, was going to take a very wrong step in buying the house of the Hubbards. I choose to believe that that was also the determining factor when Matt was taking the decision to leave Royal. It must have been a very hard decision for her. However, I cannot get rid of the feeling that what made this story more interesting was the author's note at the end where it tells the true crime story of Chester Gillette and Grace Brown. And I do not think that the worth of a novel should be measured by anything but its own text.

Time's Arrow

 This was quite a unique experience: a story where time is going backwards. I was captivated by that premise. Sadly, that enthusiasm lasted only for the first three chapters. After that, the narrator's perspective started to seem a little disingenuous, seeing that he could analyse and have good observations about certain aspects of Odilo's life but at the same time could not figure out that the "good" things that were happening were actually just the opposite. This was a very short book, and it would have been a mistake to make it longer. Just as it was a mistake to have the last chapter talk about Odilo's childhood. Especially because nothing interesting was said. It was so disconnected from everything else in the book. Such a shame, because I started reading the book with very high hopes and ended up feeling a little disappointed. I do recognise that writing something like this must have been very hard. And I must admit that the good parts in it were really good. The thing Martin Amis did with the dialogue between characters—which had to be read backwards (from bottom to top) to make sense—was truly finely done.

Fireside Gothic

 This book is a collection of three short stories: (i). "Broken Voices," (ii). "The Leper House," and (iii). "The Scratch." I did like them, but only mildly. To be honest, it might be that I am just not that into that kind of fantasy. Note: I am not saying I am not into fantasy. I just found these stories a little... bland. Of the three my favourite was "The Scratch," and that might be because it was the one closest to reality, the most real story. I still have on my shelf one book that might be similar to Fireside Gothic, it is H.P. Lovecraft's Necronomicon. I am, however, hoping that the Necronomicon is much, much better. If you do get the opportunity to read "The Scratch," read it. It is quite decent. And if that opportunity comes in the form of having the whole Fireside Gothic with you, well... I guess read all three short stories. It will not take you more than five days to read them all.

New Grub Street

 This book is a hidden gem. Wait, is it? I had not heard of New Grub Street, not even George Gissing. I mean, I know I am very ignorant and it may be the case that he is well known in Britain but I am going to be very bold and say that he is not one of the best known, world famous, English authors. Such a shame, because he should be. Granted, this is the only novel I have read of his out of 23 of his published novels. But I loved it. I do think it is a masterpiece. One of which I probably would have never heard of had not my friend Maddy bequeathed her library to me when she left Deans Court, and with it a copy of New Grub Street.
  New Grub Street tells a harrowing story of literary men in 19th centrury England. Its story was heavily influenced by George Gissing's experiences, and it is told in a way that feels very much like it could have been a true story. Because of that it was interesting to compare certain aspects of life in England back then and life in England now. The book focuses on authors that mostly live under economic hardship, and at some point I did wonder how poor they actually were. Were they the poorest of the poor? Fortunately, the book addresses that point somewhat tangentially when it talks in this way about Harold Biffen: "In his present state of mind he cared nothing how disreputable he looked to passers-by. These seedy habiliments were the token of his degradation, and at times he regarded them (happening to see himself in a shop mirror) with pleasurable contempt. The same spirit often led him for a meal to the poorest of eating-houses, places where he rubbed elbows with ragged creatures who had somehow obtained the price of a cup of coffee and a slice of bread and butter. He liked to contrast himself with these comrades in misfortune. 'This is the rate at which the wold esteems me; I am worth no better provision than this.' Or else, instead of emphasising the contrast, he defiantly took a place among the miserables of the nether world, and nursed hatred of all who were well-to-to." (p. 301). Meaning, they were not the poorest in society. That made sense to me. Because, even when the characters (Edwin Reardon, Harold Biffen, Jasper Milvain, Alfred Yule) are poor, to me they did not appear to be living the grimmest aspects of economic hardship. They were educated, well spoken, and were fine authors who were quite committed to literature. Now, with respect to contrasting life in England in the past with life in England now, I wonder how the healthcare system worked back then. And to some extent I wonder how it works now. What I mean is, Alfred Yule had cataracts and is at first given a prognosis by what seemed to be a doctor with an independent practice—well, he was more of a destitute person than a practicing medic. Alfred Yule paid this destitute medic for his prognosis, and was later vexed not knowing how he would pay for the surgery he needed. I understand most common medical procedures are currently covered by the NHS, but I also know there are some other medical expenses that are not covered (like egg freezing.) Was the healthcare system more commonly private in the past? Would a cataract surgery be covered by the NHS now? It was very sad that Alfred Yule was so stressed by his situation, especially knowing that he most likely would not have had to worry about such matters had he lived in present-day Britain. Lastly, and just as a minor note, Katherine Mullin (the editor of the edition I read) noted that in England, back then, "railway accidents, often fatal, were relatively common, widely reported in newspapers, and frequently provided plot twists in fiction" (p. 483). What?! Nowadays one does read about railway accidents, with more frequency than one might like, but in places other than Britain.
  There are two main love stories in the book. Edwin and Amy Reardon, and Jasper Milvain and Marian Yule. Both ending in unexpected ways, the descriptions of human life and interactions are told in a detailed style worthy of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. The way in which the book ends very much reminded me of Scott Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and Damned. Except, of course, Fitzgerald's novel was published 31 years after New Grub Street. The reason I am comparing both books is because both authors seem to be (correctly) saying that there is no karma. Life is unfair. But we do not need to read anything to know that. That said, I was quite affected by the experiences of Edwin and Amy Reardon. After their reconciliation I genuinely forgave them both, and was even left thinking of Amy as a good person. Precisely because of that I could not accept the narrative that followed. I felt like George Gissing betrayed her in favour of a quick and easy ending for the book. He could have invented some other character. Why did it have to be her? I was very annoyed, very disappointed. But perhaps that was the point.
  My last remark is: George Gissing later revised New Grub Street and shortened it. I am usually in favour of shortening novels for the sake of eliminating the boring and banal parts of the book. However, this time I did not feel like the book needed to be shortened. I thought it was great the way that it is. I am intrigued to know which parts George Gissing deemed unnecessary.
  All in all, I am very grateful that I read this book. The feeling might be enhanced by the fortuitous way in which I happened to own my copy of the book. I do hope I may read more novels by George Gissing. He deserves to be better known.

References:
[1]. Gigging, G. New Grub Street. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Oxford University Press, 2016.

The Silvered Heart

Not knowing anything about the legend of the Wicked Lady, except after reading the bonus material at the end of the book, I read this novel as if it were simply fiction. Well, the only thing I did know about that period in time in England was thanks to me having recently watched the film "Cromwell" (1970). This book, written from a royalist's perspective, of course has a different feel from that of the movie.
  I imagine one can enjoy the book only if one sympathises with the Lady Ferrers portrayed in the book. I did not sympathise with her. Her logic at all times felt bogus, her motivations childish, and despite her constant insistence at every new chapter of her life that she was now finally aware of how wrong she had been in the past, she never truly changes, she never truly learns anything. She is doomed to make the same fey mistakes over and over again. The way in which the story developed did feel like it would make for a classic Netflix film or series.
  Honestly, the most interesting part of the book was the bonus material. Those extra six pages on actual history were the most interesting and most enlightening.