A review by celestesbookshelf
Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

challenging emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
Agnes Grey - Anne Brontë 
🔖  1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (2006 edition)
Happy to have joined #thebigbrontereadalong2023 and finally gotten AG off my TBR, it was easy to remember why I’m such a loyal Brontë fan. Their writing is inimitable.

This novel contained some depictions of animal abuse which I found excruciating. More so because AG is known to be partly autobiographical and the thoughts of what Anne Brontë witnessed towards animals that inspired her writing torments me. I’m happy that she used the abuse to reflect a persons evil character because it must’ve influenced society’s view on animal welfare.

The romantic plot was excellent in that there’s subtle buildup, mutual admiration of their virtues, the attentions of Mr. Weston to all Agnes commented on. I adored Agnes’ insight into her pupils behavior, the double standards imparted on her by her mistress, and the dignity with which she faced all undeserved criticism.

There’s enough similarities in all the Brontë works to deduct that the sisters  were raised to realize that character and virtue is more valuable than riches and superficial beauty.