vnesting's review against another edition
3.0
How much time should one give to an audio book before you give up? This is an interesting audiobook... if you're really into the Brontes. Don't get me wrong -- I like them well enough. But after listening to almost 40% of this audio book, I think it's time to move on.
caribbeangirlreading's review
5.0
In 1847 the author then known as Currer Bell published what Queen Victoria called "an intensely interesting novel" titled "Jane Eyre." The novel took the English speaking world by storm and made Currer Bell, eventually known as Charlotte Bronte, an instant celebrity. The literature world's fascination with all things Bronte has not waned in the 169 years since the publication of Jane Eyre. Claire Harman's biography will more than satisfy the reader's thirst for knowledge, not just about the facts and dates about Bronte's life, but about the fiery heart that wrote one of the seminal novels of English literature.
elie's review against another edition
4.0
My love affair with the Brontes is kind of a funny story.
I read Jane Eyre and heard it was semi-autobiographical. I checked this book out at the library to learn more about this apparently very fascinating family but found the book very dense and slow-going. I abandoned it and watched a short documentary about the Brontes instead. This documentary only made me more interested in their history, so I got the book on kindle, which I was able to read much easier due to the increased font size (because I am an old woman apparently).
While this book is certainly very dense, no matter the font size, it's so, SO well researched. I am glad that I kept reading it because I learned so much about Charlotte and her family, which I found fascinating. Reading about their lives also gives great insight to the sisters' books, although I've only read Jane Eyre as of yet. Wuthering Heights is next.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy any of the Bronte sisters' books or who would like a glimpse into the life of a fascinating woman.
I read Jane Eyre and heard it was semi-autobiographical. I checked this book out at the library to learn more about this apparently very fascinating family but found the book very dense and slow-going. I abandoned it and watched a short documentary about the Brontes instead. This documentary only made me more interested in their history, so I got the book on kindle, which I was able to read much easier due to the increased font size (because I am an old woman apparently).
While this book is certainly very dense, no matter the font size, it's so, SO well researched. I am glad that I kept reading it because I learned so much about Charlotte and her family, which I found fascinating. Reading about their lives also gives great insight to the sisters' books, although I've only read Jane Eyre as of yet. Wuthering Heights is next.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy any of the Bronte sisters' books or who would like a glimpse into the life of a fascinating woman.
amandaquotidianbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Such an enjoyable biography and audiobook experience. Does contain spoilers for the Brontë sisters’ seven novels. Loved the mix of primary sources and narrative by Harman.