3.5

Chances are good that, in many a Goodreads shelf ordered by original published date, there is a gap in female authored literature from the end of Austen to the beginning of the Brontës. What few I have myself in that region were all, save for this, found in the pages of [b:500 Great Books By Women|1503057|500 Great Books By Women|Erica Bauermeister|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406002168s/1503057.jpg|1494514], which shows how conscientious the search must often be for older female authored works outside the usual monolithic surnames. It becomes even more disheartening when all such discovered names originate from a very small area of the very small European continent, but one must start somewhere. I can say, at any rate, that this work would be a good place to start.

“Sensible, as she is a woman,” observed Margaret; “if she were a man, she would be called philosophical.”

I am no scholar of Victorian literature (nor would I ever want to restrict myself to such a excessively excavated and overly estimated region of the written word), but I've read enough of it to recognize this as a crossroads of the likes of Shelley and Evans (aka Eliot, for the seeming in the know), among others. I say Shelley for the graveyard perils and Evans for the English village intrigue of the philosophical sort, the former not showing itself to the second part of the book and proving to be a welcome change of pace. In fact, this work reminded me a great deal of [b:Shirley|31168|Shirley|Charlotte Brontë|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1299948983s/31168.jpg|2685457], a lesser known novel of Charlotte Brontë that occupies itself as much with politics as it does with English gentry romance. No [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639] or [b:Villette|31173|Villette|Charlotte Brontë|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320412741s/31173.jpg|40852693] is 'Shirley' out of fundamental differences in quality rather than the lack of it, but its persistently poor reputation in comparison to the others may explain why 'Deerbrook' is far from well known.

But remember this,—that people are not made alike, and are not able, and not intended to feel alike; and if some have less power than others over their sorrow, at least over their tears, it does not follow that they cannot bear as well what they have to bear.

Some may be put off by the length and the frequent delving into philosophical inquiry that has little bearing on plot or character development, but as I am the type to enjoy such juicy digressions, I was put off by neither. This does not mean that the work had no flaws, for like many a work in common circulation it draws the characters best when the author resembles them most, leaving anyone outside of the gentry circle to stereotype whether the class is higher or lower. As is frequent with such sociopolitical discourse, the less wealthy are more overtly ridiculed, leaving those with greater power to their childish cruelty without comment. It was interesting to note the parallels between this time and my own, for in light of the world's reaction to the Ebola outbreak, the classist socioeconomic ring-a-round that is higher education, and the choke hold put on voting through communal embargo, very little has changed in the ideological strongholds of well-off white folks.

Yes, even the innocent may be desperate under circumstances of education and custom, by which feelings natural and inevitable are made occasions of shame; while others, which are wrong and against the better nature of man, bask in daylight and impunity.

While harsh, I have a feeling that the only reason I haven't applied such condemnation to other works of this period (don't even get me started on colonialism) is because I read them before my current style of reviewing. I must say, to Martineau's credit, that she has some choice words about the disparity between female and male descendants when it comes to inheritance, as well as a keen overview of physical disability that does not lose its strength for having been derived from her own experiences. In short, this work is not perfect, but is good enough in a unique sense to merit much more attention on Goodreads than it has thus far received.

At first it seems to be a typical 19th century English novel, but then it takes some interesting twists. Outstanding, memorable characters, great insights into human nature and intriguing commentary on social, economic and political behavior. Very enjoyable read.

4.5 stars.

This book deserves a thoughtful review, which I hope to get to soon, after digesting it all a little more. For now I'll just say that I loved it so much! The story is engaging from page one and put me through a very emotional journey. The characters are so real and Martineau's insights into human nature, group dynamics, sisterhood, love, faith, and forgiveness gave me a lot to think about. Truly a brilliant novel that should be so much better known than it is. One of the best books I've read all year.

4.5*