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The Oxford Companion to the Brontës
The works of Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brontë are among the best-known in English literature. From the masterly fusion of romance and realism in Wuthering Heights to the passion and drama of Jane Eyre, the works of these three sisters have captured the hearts and imagination of readers
everywhere. Their tragic, real-life stories only contribute to the timeless attraction to these three brilliant writers. With The Oxford Companion to the Brontës, Christine Alexander and Margaret Smith provide a comprehensive volume about the lives, works, and reputations of the Brontë sisters,
together with their father, Patrick, an author in his own right, and their brother, Branwell who, along with his sister Charlotte, created the imaginary world of Angria. This authoritative guide is organized in an easy-to-use A-Z format, offers extensive cross-referencing, and provides chronologies
of the sisters' work, including a list of juvenilia, first line of poems and Brontë art, as well as maps and illustrations for quick, easy study and further research. In addition, the authors offer insight into the publishing history, biographical studies, collectors and museums, book
illustrations, and theoretical and critical approaches to the Brontës' writing. The Oxford Companion to the Brontës is a unique and fascinating guide that will appeal to all lovers of English literature.
everywhere. Their tragic, real-life stories only contribute to the timeless attraction to these three brilliant writers. With The Oxford Companion to the Brontës, Christine Alexander and Margaret Smith provide a comprehensive volume about the lives, works, and reputations of the Brontë sisters,
together with their father, Patrick, an author in his own right, and their brother, Branwell who, along with his sister Charlotte, created the imaginary world of Angria. This authoritative guide is organized in an easy-to-use A-Z format, offers extensive cross-referencing, and provides chronologies
of the sisters' work, including a list of juvenilia, first line of poems and Brontë art, as well as maps and illustrations for quick, easy study and further research. In addition, the authors offer insight into the publishing history, biographical studies, collectors and museums, book
illustrations, and theoretical and critical approaches to the Brontës' writing. The Oxford Companion to the Brontës is a unique and fascinating guide that will appeal to all lovers of English literature.
586 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 31, 2020
Good reference work, with in-depth summaries of all published works, to include those by Branwell. I was especially interested in two articles about the books owned by the Brontes and those read by the family. There are also good entries on just about everything connected to the Brontes, which leads to some repetition.
September 11, 2019
I honestly thought I knew pretty much all there was to the ladies who wrote those famous classics everyone has to read. But, alas, there is more. Now, do find your favourite method of migraine-suppression, and stat. The advice I have been told is that if you take relief agents before you know a headache will arise, you are likely to experience fewer symptoms.
Though of all of what I have read from this book, what I found most useful of it was truthfully immediately in the beginning: the order of the siblings. I can't ever keep the order of my uncles and aunts straight so it's good that these scholars wrote the Brontës down right in the Preface: Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. (I don't know if it's as important as the order of operations, but I think it's important that I am older than my sister, so it is probably important that Charlotte is older than Branwell, Emily, et cetera.)
Otherwise, this reads almost exactly like all the other lit-crit books I have ever read in my years at university. Each commentary is categorised in alphabetical order.
Everything else is rather interesting; these people were so influential! You have to get this book to see more detail.
The primary thing I didn't know going into this book was that there actually was a brother.
Seriously, I was that deficit in my understanding of these people that if there was or wasn't someone there I wouldn't have caught it.
That's so embarrassing!
Though of all of what I have read from this book, what I found most useful of it was truthfully immediately in the beginning: the order of the siblings. I can't ever keep the order of my uncles and aunts straight so it's good that these scholars wrote the Brontës down right in the Preface: Charlotte, Branwell, Emily, and Anne. (I don't know if it's as important as the order of operations, but I think it's important that I am older than my sister, so it is probably important that Charlotte is older than Branwell, Emily, et cetera.)
Otherwise, this reads almost exactly like all the other lit-crit books I have ever read in my years at university. Each commentary is categorised in alphabetical order.
Everything else is rather interesting; these people were so influential! You have to get this book to see more detail.
The primary thing I didn't know going into this book was that there actually was a brother.
Seriously, I was that deficit in my understanding of these people that if there was or wasn't someone there I wouldn't have caught it.
That's so embarrassing!
June 13, 2021
I'm a nerd. I loved this book.
January 22, 2012
A good companion to have on hand while studying about the Bronte Family.
January 23, 2023
The absolute number one resource for Bronte information.
July 27, 2023
Some fascinating insights into the lives of the Brontës but also a little outdated.
April 2, 2025
Contains particularly everything and anything you want to know about the Brontës as well as anything from the books and its characters. All the eccentric details are in here too. Great for all Brontë nerds and fans.
April 12, 2010
Unbelievable resource.
June 15, 2010
Definately worth 5 stars.
Filled with both obscure and vital information about the Brontes and their writings. A fascinating read for any Bronte fan.
Filled with both obscure and vital information about the Brontes and their writings. A fascinating read for any Bronte fan.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews