Charlotte And Emily: A Novel Of The Brontës (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a historical novel of the Bronte family. The author captures the cadence of 1800s writing (the book actually sounds like a Bronte novel) while being understandable to the modern ear. Equal space is given to all four survived-to-adulthood siblings, including brother Branwell. The relationships between the siblings and the uniqueness of each one really came out in this book. The writing exceed my expectations. I found myself jotting down favorite phrases. I.e. [describing bare trees in winter] "color was cancelled, everything given to form." Or "a great galleon of a house moored amid rippling woods." Another device the author used was to interpose Anne and Charlotte's governess experiences in alternating paragraphs.Recommended for those who love the Bronte works. A reading group guide is included. This is one of those books that is so much better than its cover. The cover looks like a sentimental Hallmark movie poster, and about as deep - but there is much more to it.I could read many novels of the Brontes. This one highlighted the Brontes as a family - their effect on each other, their particular allegiances, their inner conversations, their secret fears and hopes. There was so much diversity, color, and empathy in the writing. I love to picture the Brontes as the eccentric Gothic family, running wildly on the moors, isolated and growing up silent as a volcano about to erupt. But what was so appealing in this novel was the narration, like a documentary camera zoning in on different family members at appropriate moments. Usually the focus is on Charlotte - but despite the title, I found something to relate to in everyone - the servant, Patrick Bronte, Anne Bronte, and even Arthur Bell Nicholls, whom Charlotte later married. Reading this reminded me that we all carry a particular struggle or burden in life, and in knowing and sharing these struggles, we can draw strength from each other. Patrick Bronte was a widower with six children who watched every one of them die - fearing to get too close to any one of the living, he remained aloof. Anne Bronte was the overlooked youngest daughter, labeled as "good," but seldom seen in the full scope of her capabilities. Emily was not hampered by the need for approval or esteem, like Charlotte, and so her honest words could often cut to the heart. Branwell was talked up for so many years as the genius and hope for his family, so in the fear that he would never be able to live up to such preconceived merit, he chose to fail instead. I have known people like this. I have been like these people. Rather than catering to the eccentric Gothic Bronte myth that seems more akin to the Addams family than anything else, Jude Morgan wrote of a family that reminded me of my own.
What do You think about Charlotte And Emily: A Novel Of The Brontës (2010)?
Love her writing. It takes you right into that time and century.
—haylie424
Gave up reading this, can't get into it.Too slow and plodding.
—anhdang729
Beautifully written, haunting and riverting. Loved it.
—nani
Another novelists take on Charlotte Brontes life
—Bidemi21
