The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Book excerpt: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall Anne Bronte - Anne Brontë's second novel, published in 1848, tells the story of the young widow, Helen Graham, who takes up residence at Wildfell Hall with her son and servant. What -- or who -- is she hiding from?A mysterious young widow calling herself Helen Graham arrives at Wildfell Hall and immediately arouses her new neighbors' suspicions with her unconventional opinions and the attention she draws from the local bachelors. One of her admirers, a farmer named Gilbert Markham, readily offers his friendship but has second thoughts about Helen's reclusive conduct and the gossip it excites. When Helen allows Gilbert to read her diary, he discovers the reason behind her secretive behavior a disastrous marriage to a ne'er-do-well, whom she ultimately flees in defiance of the legal lack of rights for wives.