ShirleyShirley
Score Classic
What it's about
In industrializing Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars and Luddite revolts of 1811 and 1812, two heroines contrast: shy Caroline Helstone, trapped in a rectory, and vivacious Shirley Keeldar, whose inherited wealth frees her from convention.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's Charlotte Brontë's novel of women's lives and social upheaval.
You'll love it if you liked
Villette
Jane Eyre
North and SouthGood to know
It's a big social novel.
By the numbers
- Readers36 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller13 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #464 of the 623 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #766 of the 924 classics we rank
- #2441 of the 3,057 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping
More by Charlotte Bronte
If you like this, read next
The Moonstone
The Daughter of Time
L.A. Confidential
The Lord of the Rings
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
A Brief History of TimeExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Shirley worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #2,441 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 60.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Shirley about?
In industrializing Yorkshire during the Napoleonic Wars and Luddite revolts of 1811 and 1812, two heroines contrast: shy Caroline Helstone, trapped in a rectory, and vivacious Shirley Keeldar, whose inherited wealth frees her from convention.
How long does it take to read Shirley?
About 17 hours (684 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Shirley?
If you liked it, try Villette by Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë or North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.