The Clergyman's Wife
The Clergyman’s Wife sheds light into the world of Charlotte Collins nee Lucas, the woman who married Mr. Collins, Hunsford’s vicar in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Intelligent, pragmatic, and anxious to escape the shame of spinsterhood, Charlotte chose a life with her awkward husband, an inevitable one so socially acceptable that its quietness threatens to overwhelm her. Then she makes the acquaintance of Mr. Travis, a local farmer and tenant of Lady Catherine, sending her heart tumbling.
For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart—and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life, and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.
During her brief time in Pride, not much is gleaned about Charlotte except she is Elizabeth Bennet’s friend and she married Mr. Collins. What I enjoyed about The Clergyman’s Wife is how much the reader learns about this initially minor character. Charlotte is quiet, but she has wit and humour that make her a charming person to read about. She loves nature, her daughter, and feeling useful. With her regular trips to her neighbours, readers see how kind Charlotte is. She wants to help, but she also doesn’t want to intrude or be a bother. Although she doubts her place as a clergyman’s wife, Charlotte has a knack for is, as Mr. Travis points out.
Speaking of Mr. Travis, his almost-romance with Charlotte was wonderfully romantic, a true tribute to Jane Austen. I loved reading their interactions and seeing how perfect they really were for each other. The scene where Charlotte was visiting her son’s grave and Mr. Travis was there tugged on my heartstrings. Mr. Travis was everything Mr. Collins was not, and exactly what Charlotte’s heart wanted.
Although Charlotte chose to marry Mr. Collins, after three years together, she finds herself having to answer a familiar question: does she act with her head (logic) or follow her heart (feelings)? Now, the romantic in all of us may urge Charlotte to abandon Mr. Collins and run into Mr. Travis’ arms, but it isn’t surprising that ultimately, Charlotte chose to leave Hunsford with Mr. Collins for Longbourn. She may have been happy with Mr. Travis, but a life of abject poverty, one where her family would shame her, wasn’t something she could choose, especially when one considers her daughter. Charlotte made a difficult choice, but it was the best one she could make.
I love how Greeley ended the novel with Charlotte committing to make sure her daughter knew her worth and never settled like Charlotte had. Even if she couldn’t choose love, Charlotte would let her daughter make that choice.
The Clergyman’s Wife Rating: ★★★★
For the first time in her life, Charlotte begins to understand emotional intimacy and its effect on the heart—and how breakable that heart can be. With her sensible nature confronted, and her own future about to take a turn, Charlotte must now question the role of love and passion in a woman’s life, and whether they truly matter for a clergyman’s wife.
During her brief time in Pride, not much is gleaned about Charlotte except she is Elizabeth Bennet’s friend and she married Mr. Collins. What I enjoyed about The Clergyman’s Wife is how much the reader learns about this initially minor character. Charlotte is quiet, but she has wit and humour that make her a charming person to read about. She loves nature, her daughter, and feeling useful. With her regular trips to her neighbours, readers see how kind Charlotte is. She wants to help, but she also doesn’t want to intrude or be a bother. Although she doubts her place as a clergyman’s wife, Charlotte has a knack for is, as Mr. Travis points out.
Speaking of Mr. Travis, his almost-romance with Charlotte was wonderfully romantic, a true tribute to Jane Austen. I loved reading their interactions and seeing how perfect they really were for each other. The scene where Charlotte was visiting her son’s grave and Mr. Travis was there tugged on my heartstrings. Mr. Travis was everything Mr. Collins was not, and exactly what Charlotte’s heart wanted.
Although Charlotte chose to marry Mr. Collins, after three years together, she finds herself having to answer a familiar question: does she act with her head (logic) or follow her heart (feelings)? Now, the romantic in all of us may urge Charlotte to abandon Mr. Collins and run into Mr. Travis’ arms, but it isn’t surprising that ultimately, Charlotte chose to leave Hunsford with Mr. Collins for Longbourn. She may have been happy with Mr. Travis, but a life of abject poverty, one where her family would shame her, wasn’t something she could choose, especially when one considers her daughter. Charlotte made a difficult choice, but it was the best one she could make.
I love how Greeley ended the novel with Charlotte committing to make sure her daughter knew her worth and never settled like Charlotte had. Even if she couldn’t choose love, Charlotte would let her daughter make that choice.
The Clergyman’s Wife Rating: ★★★★