2002-01-06 Bronte's most realistic novel.

Following a series of adversities, Lucy Snowe is forced to look to her own limited resources. Though lacking in riches and courage, her spirit is not broken and she soon finds herself employed as a teacher at a girls' school in Villette, Brussels.

Lucy seemingly wins the favour of the august and alluring Madame Beck, who unflinchingly controls the establishment; and it appears all in contact with her. However, endowed with neither beauty nor a particular talent for teaching, Lucy's task and very existience is made that much more burdensome by the inflated egos of those who surround her. There is a relentless battle between Lucy Snowe and several of the girls for supremacy. Resentment makes some in authority equally determined that she should meet her downfall.

Despite the numerous acrid confrontations with professor M. Paul Emmanuel, the self-centred but compassionate cousin of Madame Beck, Lucy cannot restrain herself from falling in love. The turbulent, staccato relationship not only has to endure the wounds the couple inflict on each other, but Lucy and M. Paul Emmanuel must also contend with the machinations of those who would have them fail.

Full of intrigue, laced with pathos, Villette engages the reader until the final printed words.