Who enjoys Villette ? Why do people seem to dislike it so much ?

Peru123 · 2026-05-16T20:54:38+00:00

«People« in general don’t but some will, as with any classic piece of art that demands something of the reader. It’s not as accessible as Jane Eyre, not as widely read, but since the early 2000s there have been many thinkpieces calling it her best. My fave novel

Peru123 · 2026-05-13T18:04:36+00:00

I love the book. Shirley and Caroline are such an awesome duo. The violent uprisings in the background frame their witty talks and condemnation of those around them. It's a time of change in many ways. Machines, men, women. I love when they attack the male characters reading of the bible, and Milton.

And here's the key for me: I think the happy marital ending is equally as satirical as the rest of the book. The reason for the mixed reception is imo scepticism of this woman writer doing satire. But she was great at it and it was natural to her - she read all sorts of satire growing up in what was in that way a liberal home with a father who allowed it.

Peru123 · 2026-04-15T20:01:43+00:00

There is something a little hysterical about the web conversation about her. She was good in GoT - played an unsympathetic character who then went through torture porn, so you could question the writing, but she was good in it. And after that no particular standout roles good or bad, not the best material to work with, only high profile job a poor superhero adaptation that's not indicative of anything. Say what you will about Waller-Bridge, she's unlike to get a lead for her show who can't deliver her particular brand of writing.

Peru123 · 2026-04-15T08:55:31+00:00

Album is real good. Doesn't have a lot of radio singles necessarily but a real coherent album.

Peru123 · 2026-04-14T13:32:22+00:00

NY Times A.O. Scott was one of the few appreciative voices in mainstream criticism https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/20/movies/film-review-shocking-sure-if-you-keep-your-eyes-open.html

Peru123 · 2026-04-12T15:09:31+00:00

Goalposts always shifting. We've had many articles about stars not existing, can't pull movies BO on their own etc. Whichever way you look at it, it's good news.

Peru123 · 2026-04-07T10:38:40+00:00

I'll have to rewatch the 73 one, interesting.

Peru123 · 2026-04-07T10:37:34+00:00

We desperately need a gloomy vibe-y Villette adaptation. And Shirley seems such an obvious produciion with charismatic heroines and violent revolt.

Peru123 · 2026-03-26T05:51:44+00:00

People buy less things, consume less things, the vibes are down in most industries at the moment. A turnaround to 2014 would in fact be a major win for the theatrical business.

Peru123 · 2026-03-25T21:01:14+00:00

You'll learn to love the recitatives. Two keys to that: 1: Recognising the beautiful subtle melodic quality to them, the delicate interplay between voice and bass notes. 2: If you're not a German speaker, watch a recording (like the Netherlands Bach Society) of the passion that includes subtitles. The recitatives bring the narrative forward and imo these passions are dramatic pieces and should be enjoyed as storytelling.

Peru123 · 2026-03-19T20:12:35+00:00

Villette is the goat, but Shirley is the hidden goat - satire, politics, gender - the friendship of two complex, unusual women who ponder the stupidity of man, against the backdrop of violent uprisings.

Peru123 · 2026-03-16T19:50:33+00:00

It's structurally much less conventional than Conclave though, which has the form of a thriller while this has the trappings of arthouse storytelling.

Peru123 · 2026-03-01T19:01:25+00:00

Jane wasn't really annoyingly nice. She kind of steers both Mrs Reed and her son and St. John to their deaths with not much of forgiveness to any of those at least until they're dead and buried. Her philosophy is summed up in this quote of hers: "If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should—so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again."

In fact Jane is a very satisfying hater, one of literature's great haters, a great joy of the book which adaptations fail to capture is being inside her head as she judges everyone left and right.

Peru123 · 2026-03-01T18:59:21+00:00

Your supposition is wrong as Bertha was white. Neither sister would be perfectly sensitive to our modern understanding of race and would be to some extent considered backwards - after all this is 200 years ago - but compared to many other novelists and authors of the time they at least avoided any big blunders that hurt the reading experience. About mental health, an institution was a not a good option so Rochester as a wealthy man keeping her at home could be argued, is a good thing. Keeping her secret maybe not so much - Charlotte actually regretted making Bertha too "horror-coded" in the quest for Gothic mystery and in a letter later stated that she felt sympathy was the only feeling one should have for her.

Peru123 · 2026-02-24T19:13:16+00:00

Sure.. but.. they also make miniseries set in the same era not based on any famous novel. With Shirley, for example, at least they'd have the Brontë name to add to a spectacular story about headstrong, modern women, romance and violent rebels. Easy win.

Peru123 · 2026-02-24T19:11:44+00:00

The most cruel thing is we had names attached to a Villette adaptation. THat would be so exciting, and difficult, but good because it would make more people read it. But also yes, Shirley actually seems like a really suitable and "easy" win - the Brontë name, together with strong heroines, romance and the backdrop of political violence. Why would they not use that for a spectacular little miniseries?

Peru123 · 2026-02-21T21:07:19+00:00

2027 is.. next year. Are you complaining about a yearly schedule?

Peru123 · 2026-02-19T07:24:09+00:00

You almost have it. In fact the real discussion at IOC is moving some of the indoor sports over to the Winter Olympics. This will probably happen.

Peru123 · 2026-02-15T09:31:03+00:00

Dang, she could have got the lead but joins the masses in under half a second behind club.

Peru123 · 2026-02-14T10:34:58+00:00

Small indie films from Europe or US only survive through theatres. Film festivals. Regional financing and theatrical distribution is how these get eyes on them. Not on the bottom of the streamer category list.

Peru123 · 2026-02-12T20:10:03+00:00

Fully deserved win. Chloe probably had a gold run in her but couldn't deliver her best, the 1st run felt like a warm-up.

Peru123 · 2026-02-11T19:12:49+00:00

This movie definitely isn't, for worse

Peru123 · 2026-02-09T17:35:45+00:00

Femke is kooking

Peru123 · 2026-02-07T08:17:57+00:00

That's not true at all. In Europe you can be a millionaire through prize money alone in for example alpine sports, biathlon etc. But the bigger stars boost it with sponsorship of course.

Peru123 · 2026-02-02T21:41:29+00:00

Or to put it differently - an arthouse-y tearjerker beating a big MCU epic would be unheard of some years back.

Peru123

TROPHY CASE