My Blog List

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Review - Romancing Miss Bronte by Juliet Gael



Reading this book makes you aware of how much one (in this case me) did not know about the Bronte family including their autocratic father. The story starts long before the sisters were published and depicts their daily rather mundane life as the three of them, extremely close to each other, realize that nothing is going to change in their life with Bramwell the dissolute and drunk brother on the one hand and their father ingrained in autocratic behavior on the other.

One feels a great deal of sympathy for the three girls - all almost reverential to their father and his feelings on every subject under the sun, even if they do not agree with him. Everything in their life upto this point has been done in order not to upset him in any way in case "he suffers a rise in blood pressure".

Writing is a means of escape into their own worlds - their human feelings of love, passion and the world outside are brought into this bleak, humdrum life from which they dont seem to be able to escape. Add to that the threat of tubercolosis constantly hanging over them - Mama and two siblings at this stage have already succumbed. The tragedy of an only son who has been the apple of his father's eye and who is selfish and concerned only about his own feelings adds to their troubles.
Bramwell dies of consumption and this is a blow to the entire family.

Publishing of their works under men's names as they feel they would be held up to both criticism and ridicule if they publish under their own names the three sisters handle their poetry and books in different ways. Emily in her own world of doing her own thing and quite oblivious to others, Anne prim and rather conservative and Charlotte conservative and determined.

The book follows their lives with Charlotte leading the way - Emily and Anne succumb within six months of each other to tubercolosis and die leaving Charlotte all alone
and totally responsible for her father. Her love life and her marriage follow and Gael handles this subject specially Charlotte's awakening to her sexuality and her increasing awareness of her love for her husband very very beautifully. The story is tragic of course ending with Charlotte's death. The book is sad in that it encompasses an entire family doomed to tragedy almost from the onset. The story however is so beautifully handled that one has to read to the end and see what is going to happen.

A absolutely well written book 5 out of 5 for this one for me. Now I must go and hunt the other books which I haven't read by the Bronte sisters.

14 comments:

  1. Have you read Dark Quartet by Lynne Reid Banks? I have absolutely no interest in any of the Brontes, but I love that one.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I skimmed your review to the end and am so happy to see a 5/5 rating. I bought this book a while ago and it is sitting on my TBR shelf. I'll move it up to read after the new year. I'll try to remember to come back and read your review after I finish reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ooh, being a bronte lover, i think i need to add this to my must read list! and with your wonderful review to boot!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nice review. I'd like to know more about the Bronte sisters for sure :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think I would absolutely love this book! These types of books are usually big hits with me. Thanks for turning me onto it :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. i'm not a fan of the bronte sisters (i prefer jane austen and her more... lighthearted novels) so i don't really know their story. i think this book is worth checking out. thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another one to add to my list - this must have escaped my radar! Love the Brontes.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for posting this review! I'm always looking for a good read.

    I thought I'd let you know about the giveaway I'm hosting right now for two pairs of Kendra Scott earrings & some OPI nail polish - come check it out!
    http://elizabethsdailyadventures.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-first-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great review! I haven't read any of the Bronte books either, but really want to read Jane Eyre. Glad you really liked this book!

    -leslie:)
    booksandmakeup.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I haven;t Read any of these Bronte books, but loved reading your thoughts; Thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for entering my giveaway and best of luck!
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  12. You just made me order the book! Done!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the wonderful review and highlighting this book, it's going on my wishlist based solely on your glowing review :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like a great story! I wasn't familiar with this book.

    ReplyDelete