THE TENANT OF WILDFELL HALL

In the character of Helen Huntingdon, Anne Brontë has produced a stronger testament to feminism than either of her sisters. Like many such heroines, however, Helen is headstrong, and her ensuing marriage is filled with brutality and shame. When Helen finally escapes her alcoholic husband's tyranny, she has to support both herself and her young son. Gilbert Markham, who has fallen in love with the unfortunate woman, narrates much of the story in letters to a friend, while the rest comes from Helen's own journal. Alex Jennings, who reads Markham's letters, gives us a strong sense of the youth's energy and frustration, while Jenny Agutter, who reads Helen's journal, never loses sight of the powerful heroine's threatened dignity and immense personal control. Both of these accomplished actors combine to create a moving and eloquent narration. P.E.F. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 98]