impla77's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
200 pages of complaining about her students LOL
bettun_639's review
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
froderick's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
jaadumb's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
jola_g's review against another edition
3.0
As it seems, I might have read the novels by Anne Brontë in the wrong order. Deliciously atypical [b:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall|337113|The Tenant of Wildfell Hall|Anne Brontë|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479652419l/337113._SY75_.jpg|1389477] (1848) set my expectations a bit too high — I was flabbergasted by its modern feel. Unfortunately, Anne Brontë's debut, Agnes Grey (1847), is sadly grey compared to her second book.
The thing that I enjoyed the most in this novel was the vivid and engrossing observations on the work of a governess, based on the author’s slightly traumatic five-year experiences. First, Anne Brontë worked for the Inghams at Blake Hall near Mirfield, and then for the Robinsons at Thorp Green near York. It was fascinating to see from the inside what a governess's life in the 19th century looked like. To cut a long story short: it was an ordeal. The fact that this exasperating, stressful and taxing job was often done by teenagers (Agnes is about eighteen when the novel begins) who had to take on responsibilities they were not prepared for at all, either mentally or emotionally, made it even more challenging.
The thing — or rather the person — that I liked the least in this book was unfortunately the narrator and protagonist, Agnes Grey. I have the impression Anne Brontë got carried away with the efforts to make her heroine the embodiment of every possible virtue. It is not hard to guess what the result was: there is something stilted about Agnes. She is an annoying know-it-all, a walking perfection, an innocent, saintly victim of the rude children she has to care for and of their insensitive parents. Agnes's pupils are portrayed as neurotic spoiled brats, there is even a little sadist. On top of that, their parents are cold and demanding: it was my business to hear, and not to speak. Little wonder the effects of education in such a hostile environment turn out poor. Interestingly, Agnes never blames herself for any pedagogical failures and she never tries to change her approach or methods.
The angelic idealization of Miss Grey tampered with my investment in the story which grated at me at times, especially the awkward romance. The problem with flawless people: they do not exist. By the way, I think the protagonist's name and surname are not a coincidence: they evoke someone gentle, genuine and modest. Agnes is a name of Greek origin and means 'pure', 'chaste', 'holy'. As for grey, it usually represents neutrality, stability and balance. This is the quintessence of Agnes Grey's personality. I wish she and the other characters in this novel were more complex and layered.
There is a feminist undercurrent in Agnes Grey but not as bold and palpable as in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It is the women who save the family from the financial disaster. Besides, the author argues that girls are not taught useful skills and she criticizes rendering them as superficially attractive, and showily accomplished.
Anne Brontë's books have been overshadowed by Charlotte and Emily's works. With the two elder sisters, who were talented writers, it must have been difficult to find her distinct voice. Anne's voice is not perfect but it is definitely her own. Apparently, she is the most divisive Brontë sister. I have come across an opinion that she was the most gifted of the Brontë sisters. On the other hand, some critics and readers argue Anne was, as Margaret Lane put it, a Brontë without genius. I beg to differ.
The Lesson by Jules Trayer, 1861.
The thing that I enjoyed the most in this novel was the vivid and engrossing observations on the work of a governess, based on the author’s slightly traumatic five-year experiences. First, Anne Brontë worked for the Inghams at Blake Hall near Mirfield, and then for the Robinsons at Thorp Green near York. It was fascinating to see from the inside what a governess's life in the 19th century looked like. To cut a long story short: it was an ordeal. The fact that this exasperating, stressful and taxing job was often done by teenagers (Agnes is about eighteen when the novel begins) who had to take on responsibilities they were not prepared for at all, either mentally or emotionally, made it even more challenging.
The thing — or rather the person — that I liked the least in this book was unfortunately the narrator and protagonist, Agnes Grey. I have the impression Anne Brontë got carried away with the efforts to make her heroine the embodiment of every possible virtue. It is not hard to guess what the result was: there is something stilted about Agnes. She is an annoying know-it-all, a walking perfection, an innocent, saintly victim of the rude children she has to care for and of their insensitive parents. Agnes's pupils are portrayed as neurotic spoiled brats, there is even a little sadist. On top of that, their parents are cold and demanding: it was my business to hear, and not to speak. Little wonder the effects of education in such a hostile environment turn out poor. Interestingly, Agnes never blames herself for any pedagogical failures and she never tries to change her approach or methods.
The angelic idealization of Miss Grey tampered with my investment in the story which grated at me at times, especially the awkward romance. The problem with flawless people: they do not exist. By the way, I think the protagonist's name and surname are not a coincidence: they evoke someone gentle, genuine and modest. Agnes is a name of Greek origin and means 'pure', 'chaste', 'holy'. As for grey, it usually represents neutrality, stability and balance. This is the quintessence of Agnes Grey's personality. I wish she and the other characters in this novel were more complex and layered.
There is a feminist undercurrent in Agnes Grey but not as bold and palpable as in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It is the women who save the family from the financial disaster. Besides, the author argues that girls are not taught useful skills and she criticizes rendering them as superficially attractive, and showily accomplished.
Anne Brontë's books have been overshadowed by Charlotte and Emily's works. With the two elder sisters, who were talented writers, it must have been difficult to find her distinct voice. Anne's voice is not perfect but it is definitely her own. Apparently, she is the most divisive Brontë sister. I have come across an opinion that she was the most gifted of the Brontë sisters. On the other hand, some critics and readers argue Anne was, as Margaret Lane put it, a Brontë without genius. I beg to differ.
The Lesson by Jules Trayer, 1861.
memita's review against another edition
4.0
Esperava mais, algo mais profundo e arrebatador. É uma história sobre uma mulher normal, poderia ser a minha história se eu tivesse vivido naquela época. Gostei da simplicidade e da protagonista que não se deixa corromper, é firme nas suas opiniões e nos seus princípios. É um romance leve, mesmo estando bem escrito e levantando imensas questões éticas, morais, religiosas, sociais... mas, não foi nada de especial, seja no enredo, seja na forma. O meu prazer na leitura prendeu-se basicamente com a protagonista, por quem senti desde o início empatia e que me fez imensa companhia ao contar a sua história simples, de "gente como a gente". Diria que é um excelente livro para se iniciar a jornada dos clássicos.
zahreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Such a wonderful read! What I admired the most in this book is the 1. subtle beauty of the writing and the vivid descriptions of the characters’ moods, thoughts and the landscape. 2. The fact that the novel is indeed a semi autobiography of Anne Brontë and it shows the reality of what it really means to be a governess in 1800s England. 3. Agnes as a character is so ahead of her time and I just love herrr.
nate_meyers's review
4.0
This is a 3.5-star book. But - given that Anne died young and both her books were feminist as hell - I'll round up to 4. Things that are exceptional about this book are:
1. The prose. Anne was an incredible self editor, and she captures moods and characters so succinctly. The way the narrative deftly moves along in the first half of the book is exceptional writing, following the protagonist's governess positions (as a mirror for Anne's actual experiences).
2. Capturing the reality of being a governess. England of the 1800s was literally over-saturated with women and this was a very common, very low-paying, and very shitty career path that many women chose or were forced to take. The kids here are self-entitled brats, regardless of age or gender, and the parents are too absent, too harsh, or too soft. Anne chronicles it all as realistically as possible through the eyes of Agnes. It's a shame this book was delayed in publishing and released after Jane Eyre, thereby living in its shadow as a second-fiddle governess novel.
3. The love interest. Edward Weston is just the best of the best; a kind-hearted preacher oppositive in every way to the terrible, philandering preacher in Mr Hatfield who preaches damnation, shames his congregation, and rarely visits the poor cottagers. Weston might be better than any male love interest in any Bronte novel, and it's a shame we had to go from Weston to Gilbert Markham in Anne's next book Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
The main thing that's not good about this book is its plot...or lack thereof. The first half of the book doesn't really have one, describing the highlights and lowlights of Agnes's experiences as a governess. And moving quickly. Then the second half of the book slows down and gives Agnes a romance plot...that is way too hastily concluded. It's clear that there was tremendous growth by Anne as a writer from Agnes Grey to Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It's a shame she didn't live to write a third book, as I feel it wouldn't been an unforgettable staple of classic fiction.
1. The prose. Anne was an incredible self editor, and she captures moods and characters so succinctly. The way the narrative deftly moves along in the first half of the book is exceptional writing, following the protagonist's governess positions (as a mirror for Anne's actual experiences).
2. Capturing the reality of being a governess. England of the 1800s was literally over-saturated with women and this was a very common, very low-paying, and very shitty career path that many women chose or were forced to take. The kids here are self-entitled brats, regardless of age or gender, and the parents are too absent, too harsh, or too soft. Anne chronicles it all as realistically as possible through the eyes of Agnes. It's a shame this book was delayed in publishing and released after Jane Eyre, thereby living in its shadow as a second-fiddle governess novel.
3. The love interest. Edward Weston is just the best of the best; a kind-hearted preacher oppositive in every way to the terrible, philandering preacher in Mr Hatfield who preaches damnation, shames his congregation, and rarely visits the poor cottagers. Weston might be better than any male love interest in any Bronte novel, and it's a shame we had to go from Weston to Gilbert Markham in Anne's next book Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
The main thing that's not good about this book is its plot...or lack thereof. The first half of the book doesn't really have one, describing the highlights and lowlights of Agnes's experiences as a governess. And moving quickly. Then the second half of the book slows down and gives Agnes a romance plot...that is way too hastily concluded. It's clear that there was tremendous growth by Anne as a writer from Agnes Grey to Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It's a shame she didn't live to write a third book, as I feel it wouldn't been an unforgettable staple of classic fiction.
bookmarkhoarder's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0