67 pages • 2 hours read
Villette
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Book Brief
573
Novel • Fiction
Villette • 1840s
1853
Modern Library
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Villette, Lucy Snowe, a young woman seeking employment, moves to the fictional city of Villette in Labassecour, where she becomes a governess and later a teacher at Madame Beck’s school. Lucy endures loneliness and unrequited love while developing a close relationship with a colleague, M. Paul Emmanuel, who eventually proposes before leaving on a fateful trip.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
75,346 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Charlotte Brontë's Villette explores themes of isolation and unrequited love through meticulously crafted prose. Reviewers praise the novel's psychological depth and Brontë's vivid portrayal of the protagonist's inner life. However, some find the narrative's pacing uneven and the melancholic tone overwhelming. Overall, it’s celebrated for its emotional intensity and complex characters.
Who Should Read Villette?
A reader who enjoys Villette by Charlotte Brontë is likely enthralled by complex psychological portraits and introspective narratives akin to those found in Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. They appreciate gothic elements, social critique, and intricate character development within a Victorian setting.
75,346 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Madame Beck
Madame Beck
The authoritative and pragmatic proprietress of Rue Fossette who maintains control over her environment, playing a significant role in Lucy’s professional growth as a teacher.
Monsieur Paul Emmanuel/M. Paul
Monsieur Paul Emmanuel/M. Paul
A passionate and complex teacher at Rue Fossette with a strong personality and evolving relationship with Lucy, providing a counterpoint to her reserved nature.
John Graham Bretton/Dr. John
John Graham Bretton/Dr. John
A charming and well-to-do young Englishman who has a professional career as a physician and a complex personal connection to Lucy, impacting her emotional journey.
Ginevra Fanshawe
Ginevra Fanshawe
A lively and flirtatious young woman whose extroverted demeanor and vanity offer a stark contrast to Lucy’s reserved character, often testing Lucy's patience and judgment.
573
Novel • Fiction
Villette • 1840s
1853
Modern Library
Adult
18+ years
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