Good morning! Wildfell Book Club has made it to edition five. We’ve got some excellent content in store for you today including rebellious teenagers, questions of ageing and our usual bookish interview. Have a great weekend (and wear a mask)!
A note from the editor:
I am currently reading a book called Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman. The book makes the compelling case for a universal basic income (U.B.I), using case studies from Canada in the 20th century and England in the 1790s. While reading it I have found myself coming back to a theme posed in our book of the season, Howards End. In it, E.M. Forster asks that his characters “only connect”. Bergman’s argument for U.B.I. illustrates that the benefits of such a programme would not only be reaped by those most in need in our society, but by society as a whole. The evidence he uses reflects that we are all connected - a fact which is explicit in Forster’s writing. During the pandemic, this is something we have all witnessed - the interconnectedness of society. We have all felt the impact of lockdown, albeit with varied experiences and difficulties. Yet, Forster’s call is more pertinent now than ever. As we move through this crisis, we must all come together. In order to move forward from the past 4 months decisively and in harmony, let’s listen to Forster and “only connect”.
Howards End. Illustration by Alex Abadjieva
Article of the Week:
“I would recommend The Catcher in the Rye to both teenagers and anybody who has been a teenager. By being “unbalanced”, Holden’s character is relatable and displays the turmoil of adolescent years. Salinger’s creation of Holden Caulfield is a reassurance that the confusion of teenage life is normal” writes Ella Horn, in this week’s article of the week. Read her exploration of J.D. Salinger’s coming of age novel, here.
If you would like to submit an article to be considered for publication, send a short pitch of no more than 200 words to submissions@wildfellzine.com.
Creative Writing of the Week:
This poem by Hattie Ireland discusses the passage of time and the expectations which come with growing older. Brilliantly illustrated by Charlotte Hattrell, you can read Hattie’s poem here.
If you would like to submit a poem to be considered for publication, send it through to submissions@wildfellzine.com.
Book Recommendation:
It’s an unpopular opinion, but Anne Brontë is the best Brontë sister. Her novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (TTWH) is the text from which the zine takes its name. Touted as the first ‘feminist’ novel, TTWH tells of Helen Graham who, having fled from her abusive husband with her child, has taken up residence in Wildfell Hall. The book follows Helen’s marriage from it’s romantic beginnings to its tragic breakdown. Helen is a brave and fierce character. But Brontë does not privilege strength at the expense of emotion. Her female characters are nuanced and relatable, standing up to the men in their lives but not shutting themselves off from femininity either. TTWH is one of my favourite novels and will remain at the top of my list of recommended fiction. It is a staple of all good bookshelves.
Knowledge Corner:
This fantastic documentary from the BBC - The Rise of the Murdoch Dynasty - is a must-watch. So absurd it could almost be fictional (trust me, it isn’t), the life and times of Rupert Murdoch make for a fascinating, if infuriating watch. You can find the documentary on iPlayer, here.
If you haven’t already had enough E.M. Forster, this article from this week’s London Review of Books discusses Forster during old-age. It is an endearing portrait of a thoughtful author. You can read it here.
Mark Rylance is one of my favourite actors. The recent release of Hilary Mantel’s final instalment of her series on Thomas Cromwell reminded me of Rylance’s performance in the TV series of Wolf Hall and of his appearance on Desert Island Discs. You can listen to Rylance’s episode here.
Interview of the Week:
This week’s interview is with the brain behind our logo design and one of our resident illustrators, Sophie Kenyon.
Image: one of Sophie’s artworks.
Who is your favourite author and why?
Jodi Picoult. I started reading her books when I was fourteen. Six years later and I’m still just as captured by her words and the characters she creates. She makes the characters and their storylines so compelling it’s as though they are in the room telling you their story. A particular favourite of mine is Small, Great Things. I think I was still just as shocked and gasping for more a week after I finished it.
What are you currently reading? Would you recommend it so far?
I have just finished reading Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. At first, I thought it was quite a slow burner, however, Moriarty’s meticulous use of detail and character development is critical to the story’s main plot and its climactic ending. Therefore, yes, I would definitely recommend it if you enjoy any type of thriller or mystery plot. (As of tonight, I am starting Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo).
What genre of book do you keep returning to?
At the moment a suspenseful thriller type genre seems to be the selling point of any book I’m deciding to read. I love to be kept on my toes, anything with a twist or dramatic plot keeps me hooked, throw in any form of investigation or a whodunnit scenario and I’m sold.
If you were stranded on a desert island, which book would you hope to have packed?
It would have to be Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton. It prepares you for every type of emotion, I laughed, I cried, I cringed for her and giggled at the relatability of many scenarios. I think a book like this is crucial for finding optimism and hope in a time of crisis.
If you have any comments, queries or suggestions for our content, please do get in touch. Drop us a line on editor@wildfellzine.com.
Thanks for tuning in to this edition of Wildfell Book Club. Stay safe and have a brilliant weekend.