Shirley

Not the easiest of reads, flowery language reflected the pastoral writing of the time but does require concentration (and the writing was tiny on tissue paper pages). I struggled to finish and now and again nearly gave up.
It's 194 pages until she is mentioned and not until 197 does Shirley appear. And thank goodness, as I was finding it rather dull. Historically interesting, yes, the industrial stuff with the weavers and all. But Caroline's woe and the many mournful ministers was wearing me down!
Shirley herself is a breath of fresh air, a feminist before the word was even thought of, opening Caroline's eyes to opportunities and the little independence possible in those days. Perhaps I was a little disappointed that there could be no hint of a relationship beyond friendship between the two, buried under the properness there was definitely potential.
My first Brontë has not enamoured me but I shall give them another go, just not for a while!