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The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses
Passionate literary geniuses - their own story...
The authors of such literary classics as Jane Eyre , Wuthering Heights , and Agnes Grey , Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë were extraordinary not only because they were successful female writers in Victorian England, but also because they were sisters.
Growing up, all three sisters’ writings were significantly influenced by each other, but perhaps most importantly by their troubled brother, Branwell.
The Brontë Family is a fascinating account of each sister’s unconventional life, astounding talent, and tragic death draws readers into the minds of the gifted authors whose passionate tales have enthralled readers for more than a century and whose voices still resonate with modern readers.
'In Kenyon's hands, the sisters come alive individually and as a family'- Leigh Fenly, The San Diego Union-Tribune
'An extraordinary biography about an extraordinary family' - Jane Halsall, The Shy Librarian
Karen Kenyon is a journalist and author. She teaches Creative Writing at Mira Costa College in Cardiff, California. Karen has visited England several times, and at the Brontë Parsonage she found herself drawn to the Brontës and their story, going on to write many articles about them. Her other books include Sunshower and Charles Compassion and Contradiction
The authors of such literary classics as Jane Eyre , Wuthering Heights , and Agnes Grey , Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë were extraordinary not only because they were successful female writers in Victorian England, but also because they were sisters.
Growing up, all three sisters’ writings were significantly influenced by each other, but perhaps most importantly by their troubled brother, Branwell.
The Brontë Family is a fascinating account of each sister’s unconventional life, astounding talent, and tragic death draws readers into the minds of the gifted authors whose passionate tales have enthralled readers for more than a century and whose voices still resonate with modern readers.
'In Kenyon's hands, the sisters come alive individually and as a family'- Leigh Fenly, The San Diego Union-Tribune
'An extraordinary biography about an extraordinary family' - Jane Halsall, The Shy Librarian
Karen Kenyon is a journalist and author. She teaches Creative Writing at Mira Costa College in Cardiff, California. Karen has visited England several times, and at the Brontë Parsonage she found herself drawn to the Brontës and their story, going on to write many articles about them. Her other books include Sunshower and Charles Compassion and Contradiction
- GenresNonfiction
155 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2018
34 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Karen Kenyon
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 2, 2018
“I didn't expect the way this personal view of the lives of Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and Branwell Brontë and the landscape of Haworth would affect me.”American writer, Karen Smith Kenyon, first travelled to the small hilltop village of Haworth in 1992. Situated in the county of West Yorkshire, on the very edge of the windswept Pennine Moors, this now popular tourist destination is best known for its association with the Brontë sisters: three gifted, nineteeth-century siblings who wrote their most famous literary works while living in Haworth Parsonage.
Kenyon Smith was deeply affected by her visit, describing her surroundings as “dramatic” and “wild”, and after returning home, was unable to forget this desolate yet rather magnificent patch of northern England where the Reverend Brontë raised his extraordinary children in a “clammy, bleak stone parsonage”. The family “began to take on an almost mythic quality for [her],” and she started exploring their lives and works in more depth.
Kenyon Smith's fact-finding resulted in this new historical account: The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses – a retelling of the Brontë family's unconventional lives and the sisters' rise to literary prominence.
Picking up the story in 1848, when Charlotte and Anne Brontë were in London to correct “false information” regarding the authorship of their novels (first published under male pseudonyms), we then travel back in time to their isolated childhoods and learn about the tragic deaths of their mother and two older sister, which marked them profoundly and influenced their writings. We glimpse the siblings' vivid, imaginary worlds and early storytelling; watch their intellectual curiosity develop; follow them through their unhappy school years and unsuccessful stints as governesses with wealthy families; see them rise to become popular novelists; and finally, witness their early deaths.
I have only one minor quibble with this articulate, well-researched life history: do we really need another Brontë biography? While Kenyon Smith's slim volume is immensely enjoyable, it contributes nothing in the way of fresh material or original analysis. Those seeking fascinating historical minutiae have probably already discovered it in Juliet Barker's superb The Brontës or elsewhere, and may well consider the addition of another life-story unnecessary in an already overcrowded sphere.
Nevertheless, this new portrait offers an enthusiastic and concise introduction to an intriguing family, which may well suit young adults or those averse to fat, academic tomes. Indeed, I could imagine a glossy version of this book being popular with tourists visiting The Parsonage Museum in Haworth.
“The Brontës' lives were over too soon. But in a sense they are not gone. Their novels...and poetry will always be read, and for those who know their story, or who visit their home, their spirits seem strong and clear.”Many thanks to Endeavour Media for providing an advance review copy of this title.
June 30, 2018
3.5 stars
DISCLAIMER: thank you to the publishers, Endeavour Media, for sending me a proof copy of this in exchange for an honest view. All opinions are my own.
As you’re fully aware, I read any and all Brontë-related books that I can find. I don’t care how many times I have to read the same recycled story of their lives, I will continue to read biographies on them. So when Endeavour Media asked me to review Karen Kenyon’s biography, The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses, I almost squealed with excitement. Fast forward a week’s postal waiting, and three hours of intense reading, I’m sat here eagerly writing this review. Despite being published in the year of Emily’s bicentenary, the biography doesn’t solely focus on her. It’s an incredibly brief look into the lives of this literary family.
There was a lot to enjoy about this biography. It was evident that Kenyon put effort into researching the family, and you only have to look at the bibliography to recognise this. Despite it being brief, she gives you an overview of all their lives including Maria and Elizabeth Brontë, Elizabeth Branwell, and Arthur Bell Nicholls. For people who are looking to read more non-fiction books on the family, this is the perfect place to start. It gives you all the necessary detail – the pivotal points of each of their lives – without going overboard. It’s the perfect balance. I wouldn’t, however, recommend this to people who have read a wealth of non-fiction books on them. It won’t provide you with any new information, but a general recap.
Additionally, I liked how Kenyon narrated their lives. It almost seemed like a story. I know this isn’t always ideal – it can oversimplify and fictionalise their reality, but I think it worked quite well in this instance. Kenyon managed to keep it convincing. I especially liked how she narrated Branwell’s life, for example, how the death of William Weightman and Aunt Branwell acted as a catalyst for his alcohol and opium addiction. The vulnerability from these deaths arguably pushed him into the arms of Lydia Robinson – that’s what I got from Kenyon anyway. It was very believable, and very sad to read (arguably, the most distressing account of Branwell’s life I’ve read so far). I particuarly love this quote:
The Reverend Brontë was devastated and refused to be comforted. Branwell has been his pride, his hope. Yet his unrealistic estimates of Branwell’s talents had made his son’s failures all the more painful and humiliating.
However, I did have some issues with this biography. As already stated, this is incredibly brief. It skims over a lot of detail. It provides you with little experiences, and goes into little detail regarding them. I noticed one error, and that was the misnaming of Emily’s pet hawk, Nero (named Hero in this). I hope the editors will correct this before publication, especially considering it’s a biography. Additionally, I didn’t like the oversimplifying of Jane Eyre. Kenyon suggests that it’s ‘a story of a governess in love with her employer’, but anyone who has read it knows it’s a lot more than that. It’s a novel way ahead of its time – questioning the position of women, introducing Freudian concepts before Freud was even born, and the search for one’s identity and sense of self. It is not a love story.
Overall, this was a pretty decent account of the famous Brontë family. It’s a relatively short read (it only took me about three hours to read), and is a great place to start if you’re wanting to research the family. I liked Kenyon’s narration, but I do wish she had added more detail to certain aspects of the biography. Despite this, I would still recommend!
DISCLAIMER: thank you to the publishers, Endeavour Media, for sending me a proof copy of this in exchange for an honest view. All opinions are my own.
As you’re fully aware, I read any and all Brontë-related books that I can find. I don’t care how many times I have to read the same recycled story of their lives, I will continue to read biographies on them. So when Endeavour Media asked me to review Karen Kenyon’s biography, The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses, I almost squealed with excitement. Fast forward a week’s postal waiting, and three hours of intense reading, I’m sat here eagerly writing this review. Despite being published in the year of Emily’s bicentenary, the biography doesn’t solely focus on her. It’s an incredibly brief look into the lives of this literary family.
There was a lot to enjoy about this biography. It was evident that Kenyon put effort into researching the family, and you only have to look at the bibliography to recognise this. Despite it being brief, she gives you an overview of all their lives including Maria and Elizabeth Brontë, Elizabeth Branwell, and Arthur Bell Nicholls. For people who are looking to read more non-fiction books on the family, this is the perfect place to start. It gives you all the necessary detail – the pivotal points of each of their lives – without going overboard. It’s the perfect balance. I wouldn’t, however, recommend this to people who have read a wealth of non-fiction books on them. It won’t provide you with any new information, but a general recap.
Additionally, I liked how Kenyon narrated their lives. It almost seemed like a story. I know this isn’t always ideal – it can oversimplify and fictionalise their reality, but I think it worked quite well in this instance. Kenyon managed to keep it convincing. I especially liked how she narrated Branwell’s life, for example, how the death of William Weightman and Aunt Branwell acted as a catalyst for his alcohol and opium addiction. The vulnerability from these deaths arguably pushed him into the arms of Lydia Robinson – that’s what I got from Kenyon anyway. It was very believable, and very sad to read (arguably, the most distressing account of Branwell’s life I’ve read so far). I particuarly love this quote:
The Reverend Brontë was devastated and refused to be comforted. Branwell has been his pride, his hope. Yet his unrealistic estimates of Branwell’s talents had made his son’s failures all the more painful and humiliating.
However, I did have some issues with this biography. As already stated, this is incredibly brief. It skims over a lot of detail. It provides you with little experiences, and goes into little detail regarding them. I noticed one error, and that was the misnaming of Emily’s pet hawk, Nero (named Hero in this). I hope the editors will correct this before publication, especially considering it’s a biography. Additionally, I didn’t like the oversimplifying of Jane Eyre. Kenyon suggests that it’s ‘a story of a governess in love with her employer’, but anyone who has read it knows it’s a lot more than that. It’s a novel way ahead of its time – questioning the position of women, introducing Freudian concepts before Freud was even born, and the search for one’s identity and sense of self. It is not a love story.
Overall, this was a pretty decent account of the famous Brontë family. It’s a relatively short read (it only took me about three hours to read), and is a great place to start if you’re wanting to research the family. I liked Kenyon’s narration, but I do wish she had added more detail to certain aspects of the biography. Despite this, I would still recommend!
July 8, 2018
3.5 * Short biography of the most famous of literary siblings The Bronte sisters.
Quite well written but rather short and somewhat speculative.
Even more excited to go to Bronte country in November now. :)
Quite well written but rather short and somewhat speculative.
Even more excited to go to Bronte country in November now. :)
July 3, 2018
I received an e-copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Bronte Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses is a biography of the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and, to a lesser degree, their brother Branwell.
If you know only the bare basics of the Bronte family history (the Haworth parish, three sisters, orphaned by their mother and elder sisters, their clergyman father, the sisters wrote and published novels, died very young), this is a good primer to begin an adventure with the Brontes. Kenyon covers the most important facts, streamlining the unhappy (and often horrifying, to the modern mind) family history into an orderly narrative. She touches upon the most important milestones (the Cowan Bridge school, the Roe Head school, working as governesses for various families, education in Belgium, publication of novels, death of Branwell, Emily, and Anne, Charlotte's popularity, her marriage and death).
However, if you have already read something more substantial about the Brontes, it is unlikely you will learn much new from this biography. Unfortunately, Kenyon doesn't go into much detail regarding the sisters' experiences, even though sometimes the detail would be called for (for example, the continuing presence of Miss Wooler, Charlotte's teacher and mentor, may surprise the readers who have not already known about her importance in Charlotte's life). The sisters, as described on page, do not appear particularly differentiated from each other-- Charlotte is perhaps portrayed as a little more driven than the two others, Anne more patient, Emily more difficult (cf. the description of her final illness); it would have been interesting to get more sense of who they were as people.
All in all, Kenyon's book is compelling due to the subjects of her story much more than the actual writing. If you enjoyed this book, I encourage you to seek out more biographies of the Brontes; if you didn't-- well, actually, I encourage you to do the same, as there is a true wealth of material and detail that may change your opinion on the Brontes.
The Bronte Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses is a biography of the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily, Anne, and, to a lesser degree, their brother Branwell.
If you know only the bare basics of the Bronte family history (the Haworth parish, three sisters, orphaned by their mother and elder sisters, their clergyman father, the sisters wrote and published novels, died very young), this is a good primer to begin an adventure with the Brontes. Kenyon covers the most important facts, streamlining the unhappy (and often horrifying, to the modern mind) family history into an orderly narrative. She touches upon the most important milestones (the Cowan Bridge school, the Roe Head school, working as governesses for various families, education in Belgium, publication of novels, death of Branwell, Emily, and Anne, Charlotte's popularity, her marriage and death).
However, if you have already read something more substantial about the Brontes, it is unlikely you will learn much new from this biography. Unfortunately, Kenyon doesn't go into much detail regarding the sisters' experiences, even though sometimes the detail would be called for (for example, the continuing presence of Miss Wooler, Charlotte's teacher and mentor, may surprise the readers who have not already known about her importance in Charlotte's life). The sisters, as described on page, do not appear particularly differentiated from each other-- Charlotte is perhaps portrayed as a little more driven than the two others, Anne more patient, Emily more difficult (cf. the description of her final illness); it would have been interesting to get more sense of who they were as people.
All in all, Kenyon's book is compelling due to the subjects of her story much more than the actual writing. If you enjoyed this book, I encourage you to seek out more biographies of the Brontes; if you didn't-- well, actually, I encourage you to do the same, as there is a true wealth of material and detail that may change your opinion on the Brontes.
November 25, 2018
I won a copy of this book in an Instagram giveaway hosted by Instagram's BronteForever (CBell on Goodreads). I promised to write a review on goodreads when I finished it.
I’ve been a Bronte fan for around ten years and I’ve read all their books, except for Shirley. In that time I’ve read a few books about them as well as studying them on a Master’s course at university. I’ve read a few journal articles and dipped in and out of the wonderful works by Juliet Barker. All this to say that I went into this tiny book not expecting to learn anything but instead just expected to enjoy reading about the Brontes again.
I was wrong. For the majority of the book, I was reading about things I already knew, such as Charlotte’s unrequited love towards M. Heger or Emily failing as a teacher because she liked the school dog more than any of the students. However, there were two moments in the book when I learn things I didn’t, and I was surprised that I didn’t know them actually.
The first was regarding Anne Bronte and her time as a governess. Now, of course, I knew about the Branwell saga with Mrs Robinson but what I never knew was about when she was with the Inghams. Kenyon tells us that Charlotte worried that Anne’s stammer would cause problems but Anne did, in fact, have discipline troubles. “On one occasion, Mrs Ingham walked into the schoolroom to find that Anne had tied the children to a table leg in a desperate attempt to keep them at their lessons.” Anne Bronte, who is always seen as the meek, mild-mannered, quiet and sweet Bronte, did, in fact, tie two children to a table leg out of frustration and annoyance. This really does make me want to read In Search of Anne Bronte, to see if there are any other important snippets of Anne’s life that I need to know about.
The second was less exciting for me and was regarding Arthur Bell Nicholls. I didn’t know that between him proposing to Charlotte and Charlotte eventually accepting the proposal that he went away to the Australian Colonies. And that after Charlotte’s death he moved back to Ireland and became a farmer. I wasn’t as surprised to learn things about Arthur Nicholls since my knowledge of him was and still is very poor. The book pleased me greatly, that in being so small, it was still able to teach a long-term fan something about the sisters.
Now, I have seen some reviews comment on how this book doesn’t cover everything and skirts over things and while I accept they are right and there are things that aren’t mentioned and things that the reader is going to want the book to go into more detail with, it’s important to bear in mind that this isn’t a full biography of the Brontes and is a small book (it’s around 150 pages including pictures and bibliography and fairly large text). If it’s a full biography you’re looking for, Juliet Barker is where you need to be but if you step back and consider this book instead as a short introduction then it has the space it needs to shine.
I feel like this book is perfect for two types of people and they are 1) people like me who are wanting to absorb as much Bronte media as possible and are happy to read the same bits of information time and time again in order to learn the odd new little thing and 2) people who are brand new to the Brontes, have read say one of their books and want to learn more about the authors and their lives. It is small enough to not be overwhelming and its tone is conversational enough to not be stodgy as academic writing often is. It also refers to other books (Gaskell’s biography of Charlotte, Barker’s biography, etc) and the Bronte letters, enough that a new reader would learn where they need to go should they want to dig deeper.
My one disappointment with this book is that it falls into the trap Bronte books often fall into. If a book claims to be about all the Brontes, often what you find is 60% Charlotte, 20% Emily, and 10% each for Anne and Branwell. And while I love Charlotte, I want to know more about the others as well. Although it must be noted that this trap is most likely caused by Charlotte outliving the others and the lack of documentation for the others.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
I’ve been a Bronte fan for around ten years and I’ve read all their books, except for Shirley. In that time I’ve read a few books about them as well as studying them on a Master’s course at university. I’ve read a few journal articles and dipped in and out of the wonderful works by Juliet Barker. All this to say that I went into this tiny book not expecting to learn anything but instead just expected to enjoy reading about the Brontes again.
I was wrong. For the majority of the book, I was reading about things I already knew, such as Charlotte’s unrequited love towards M. Heger or Emily failing as a teacher because she liked the school dog more than any of the students. However, there were two moments in the book when I learn things I didn’t, and I was surprised that I didn’t know them actually.
The first was regarding Anne Bronte and her time as a governess. Now, of course, I knew about the Branwell saga with Mrs Robinson but what I never knew was about when she was with the Inghams. Kenyon tells us that Charlotte worried that Anne’s stammer would cause problems but Anne did, in fact, have discipline troubles. “On one occasion, Mrs Ingham walked into the schoolroom to find that Anne had tied the children to a table leg in a desperate attempt to keep them at their lessons.” Anne Bronte, who is always seen as the meek, mild-mannered, quiet and sweet Bronte, did, in fact, tie two children to a table leg out of frustration and annoyance. This really does make me want to read In Search of Anne Bronte, to see if there are any other important snippets of Anne’s life that I need to know about.
The second was less exciting for me and was regarding Arthur Bell Nicholls. I didn’t know that between him proposing to Charlotte and Charlotte eventually accepting the proposal that he went away to the Australian Colonies. And that after Charlotte’s death he moved back to Ireland and became a farmer. I wasn’t as surprised to learn things about Arthur Nicholls since my knowledge of him was and still is very poor. The book pleased me greatly, that in being so small, it was still able to teach a long-term fan something about the sisters.
Now, I have seen some reviews comment on how this book doesn’t cover everything and skirts over things and while I accept they are right and there are things that aren’t mentioned and things that the reader is going to want the book to go into more detail with, it’s important to bear in mind that this isn’t a full biography of the Brontes and is a small book (it’s around 150 pages including pictures and bibliography and fairly large text). If it’s a full biography you’re looking for, Juliet Barker is where you need to be but if you step back and consider this book instead as a short introduction then it has the space it needs to shine.
I feel like this book is perfect for two types of people and they are 1) people like me who are wanting to absorb as much Bronte media as possible and are happy to read the same bits of information time and time again in order to learn the odd new little thing and 2) people who are brand new to the Brontes, have read say one of their books and want to learn more about the authors and their lives. It is small enough to not be overwhelming and its tone is conversational enough to not be stodgy as academic writing often is. It also refers to other books (Gaskell’s biography of Charlotte, Barker’s biography, etc) and the Bronte letters, enough that a new reader would learn where they need to go should they want to dig deeper.
My one disappointment with this book is that it falls into the trap Bronte books often fall into. If a book claims to be about all the Brontes, often what you find is 60% Charlotte, 20% Emily, and 10% each for Anne and Branwell. And while I love Charlotte, I want to know more about the others as well. Although it must be noted that this trap is most likely caused by Charlotte outliving the others and the lack of documentation for the others.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
July 15, 2018
I've read all their books. I've been to the Parsonage Museum. I've wandered across the Moors, in summer with the heather in bloom.
You can easily say that this family fascinates me. Their books, the tragedies in their, too short, lives.
So I just had to read this book.
And I'm glad I did.
This book tells the story of the family in an easy fashion. The facts are mentioned, but not in a cold way. You can see the family, sitting in their home. With love in their hearts, stories in their minds and tears in their eyes. And this book makes me feel it, too...
Short, but touching story of an interesting family!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
You can easily say that this family fascinates me. Their books, the tragedies in their, too short, lives.
So I just had to read this book.
And I'm glad I did.
This book tells the story of the family in an easy fashion. The facts are mentioned, but not in a cold way. You can see the family, sitting in their home. With love in their hearts, stories in their minds and tears in their eyes. And this book makes me feel it, too...
Short, but touching story of an interesting family!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
July 2, 2018
The Brontë family
I really enjoyed this little book, I love the works of the Brontë girls especially Jane eyre which is probably my favourite book of all time. I visited The Brontë house a few years ago and really enjoyed the visit. I wish they had lived longer and written many more books as they were so talented.
I really enjoyed this little book, I love the works of the Brontë girls especially Jane eyre which is probably my favourite book of all time. I visited The Brontë house a few years ago and really enjoyed the visit. I wish they had lived longer and written many more books as they were so talented.
July 15, 2018
The Bronte Family is a short biography of literary geniuses Charlotte, Emily and Ann Bronte. It provides a look into their lives from childhood to their untimely deaths. Their lives were filled with imagination, family camaraderie, love and tradgedy.
The author gives the reader a look inside the lives of the entire Bronte family. Although they were not rich monetarily the richness of the lives they lived comes across as a major factor in the genius apparent in their writing. After reading this book I have an understanding of how these three women, relatively uneducated by today's standards, wrote literary works that are as accessible today as when they were written. Why they still inspire us to read them and even make movies of them. They are brilliant and timeless.
As you read about the lives of the Brontes you find how their lives inspired and accentuated their novels. As children with few toys they developed imaginary lands peppered with imaginery people. A box of toy soldiers was the inspiration that ignited their genius.
I finished this novel feeling I had a better understand of Charlotte, Emily and Ann as well as their father and brother Branwell. The next time I read their novels I know I will read them with more insight.
The addition of photos and drawings really helped make this family come alive. Photos of their home, schools and beloved moors were a wonderful addition. Drawings done by them and of them helped round out the picture this book paints.
I recommend this book highly. If you have a love of the novels of the Bronte sisters this will help you understand them on a deeper level. If you have never read a book written by the Brontes it will inspire you to. If you have children I hope it will make you turn off the TV and take away their electronic devices because this book proves that genius comes from having to create your own fun with little but your imagination.
The author gives the reader a look inside the lives of the entire Bronte family. Although they were not rich monetarily the richness of the lives they lived comes across as a major factor in the genius apparent in their writing. After reading this book I have an understanding of how these three women, relatively uneducated by today's standards, wrote literary works that are as accessible today as when they were written. Why they still inspire us to read them and even make movies of them. They are brilliant and timeless.
As you read about the lives of the Brontes you find how their lives inspired and accentuated their novels. As children with few toys they developed imaginary lands peppered with imaginery people. A box of toy soldiers was the inspiration that ignited their genius.
I finished this novel feeling I had a better understand of Charlotte, Emily and Ann as well as their father and brother Branwell. The next time I read their novels I know I will read them with more insight.
The addition of photos and drawings really helped make this family come alive. Photos of their home, schools and beloved moors were a wonderful addition. Drawings done by them and of them helped round out the picture this book paints.
I recommend this book highly. If you have a love of the novels of the Bronte sisters this will help you understand them on a deeper level. If you have never read a book written by the Brontes it will inspire you to. If you have children I hope it will make you turn off the TV and take away their electronic devices because this book proves that genius comes from having to create your own fun with little but your imagination.
July 28, 2019
Karen Kenyon's insightful revelations about the truly genius Bronte'family is more a friendly conversation than a work of non-fiction. Events surrounding the father, mother, the five sisters, the brother, servants, dogs, acquaintances, friends, and colleagues are fitted together so that we get an honest, yet affectionate look at this remarkable family.
The foundations of their relationships with each other and of their considerable talents lie in their childhoods. To be particularly noted are the presence of reading materials in the home and the family discussions surrounding them. Imagination needs a source, and there was plenty of that in the parsonage, on the moors, and in the town of Haworth. Their childhood was the womb that produced and nurtured their affection and commitment to each other, their unique and somewhat eccentric views of the world, and their uncommon ability to express themselves.
The Bronte' Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses is an excellent accounting of these incredibly gifted people. it is a pleasure to read and leaves us wanting to pull our first copy of Jane Eyre (and all the rest) from the shelf again.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 1, 2019
I read and loved Elizabeth Gaskell’s commissioned biography of Charlotte Brontë, which I would also highly recommend—with the understanding that it has great strengths because of the friendship between Brontë and Gaskell (two of my favorites!), but also a few flaws.⠀
What I loved about THIS little biography:⠀
1) It is short—only 116 pages of actual biography! It’s perfect for a young adult read, or for a quick life sketch of the entire family and their influence on each other
2) For as short as it is, it’s jam-packed with all the important facts and events in their lives. ⠀
3) It left me feeling grateful for the sacrifices that went into writing the Brontë books I love so much. ⠀
4) It made me think about how adversity in my own life has made me a better person and has led me to create and grow. ⠀
⠀
I didn’t expect all of that from such a tiny book, but then I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised—wasn’t Jane Eyre the same? And Charlotte herself?—‘Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart!’ I have much to learn from gifts that come in small packages!
What I loved about THIS little biography:⠀
1) It is short—only 116 pages of actual biography! It’s perfect for a young adult read, or for a quick life sketch of the entire family and their influence on each other
2) For as short as it is, it’s jam-packed with all the important facts and events in their lives. ⠀
3) It left me feeling grateful for the sacrifices that went into writing the Brontë books I love so much. ⠀
4) It made me think about how adversity in my own life has made me a better person and has led me to create and grow. ⠀
⠀
I didn’t expect all of that from such a tiny book, but then I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised—wasn’t Jane Eyre the same? And Charlotte herself?—‘Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart!’ I have much to learn from gifts that come in small packages!
November 26, 2018
For someone who generally does not read nonfiction or biographies, I loved this. That may be because I am passionate about the subject matter.
I love the Brontë’s and I felt that Kenyon was able to give me the clearest picture of their life. She even included Branwell who often gets overshadowed in light of his sisters. We even get to know a bit more about Anne, who I seemed to know the least about.
My only complaint was the pacing. It took me a while to get invested and that might turn off some readers but, if they are passionate enough about the Brontë’s they’ll be able to persevere and get hooked on the riveting lives that they led.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*
I love the Brontë’s and I felt that Kenyon was able to give me the clearest picture of their life. She even included Branwell who often gets overshadowed in light of his sisters. We even get to know a bit more about Anne, who I seemed to know the least about.
My only complaint was the pacing. It took me a while to get invested and that might turn off some readers but, if they are passionate enough about the Brontë’s they’ll be able to persevere and get hooked on the riveting lives that they led.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.*
June 24, 2018
Kenyon's concise but comprehensive biography of the Brontes' lives provides a unique perspective into the genesis of the talented family. In describing their interrelationships, educational and social backgrounds, Kenyon highlights some sources of their inspiration and proffers insight into the personalities each member. Of course, the focus is on Charlotte, Emily and Anne; but the book includes information on the other siblings and their father as well. The reader is left with a distinct sense of how these ground-breaking authors emerged to challenge convention and create a continued source of inspiration that is still appreciated to this day.
June 28, 2018
A rather short yet eminently readable book about the Brontë family. Whilst it doesn't tell us anything new or shocking, the feeling of admiration that the author has for the family comes through the written word. I really enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone looking to learn more about this extraordinary family.
Thanks to publishers, Endeavour Media, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
Thanks to publishers, Endeavour Media, for the opportunity to review an ARC.
November 23, 2024
Riveting reading about the enigmatic sisters.
I thought that I would enjoy reading this book over an extended period, however, I ended up reading it in one evening. It provided a unique and captivating insight into the background and the life of these ladies and their family and acquaintances. I recommend it to anyone interested in this genre and in historic fiction and writing.
I thought that I would enjoy reading this book over an extended period, however, I ended up reading it in one evening. It provided a unique and captivating insight into the background and the life of these ladies and their family and acquaintances. I recommend it to anyone interested in this genre and in historic fiction and writing.
December 5, 2018
I can never get enough Bronte, this concise biography of the Bronte family hit the spot. A quick read to be sure, but fulfilling in all the right areas. I will happily place it among my other Bronte biographies.
March 4, 2019
A biography has never made me cry... until now. This book is beautifully written and perfectly paints a picture of the Brontë family. I do not see how someone could read this book without crying for Charlotte. If I could I’d give this book 10 stars.
June 4, 2020
A brief but insightful background of the lives, talents, challenges and strengths of the Bronte family. Most enjoyable.
January 30, 2021
There is something about the Brontë sisters that has always intrigued me. For years, I find myself always searching for letters written by the Brontës or biographies about them. Their world and time period is so different from my own, and yet I have always felt a connection to them.
Kenyon’s book is short and sweet, and I was able to read the entire book in one sitting. Kenyon provides a good overview of the life of the Brontë family. She focuses mostly on Charlotte, Emily and Anne, while occasionally mentioning their brother, Branwell. At the end of the book, I was delighted to see her bibliography that she used as reference for her book. It is clear that Kenyon’s book was well-researched.
Kenyon views the Brontës as literary geniuses, and they truly are. One thing that Kenyon’s book really pointed out to me was how very few choices the Brontë sisters had when it came to choosing how to live their lives. In their society, women could expect to marry only if they had enough money for a dowry. Patrick Brontë, the father of the Brontë sisters, knew very well that the prospect of marriage was low for his daughters. The only respectable way for them to live was to become governesses. A governess acted as both caregiver and teacher. The governess lived with the family she worked for, and she was often subjected to poor treatment from her employer’s family. Charlotte, Emily and Anne wanted more than the life they were given, and they defied the odds of becoming successful novelists in a time where women who wrote were frown upon.
I would recommend Kenyon’s biography to those who want a quick and detailed portrait of the Brontë family.
*I received The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses by: Karen Kenyon from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Kenyon’s book is short and sweet, and I was able to read the entire book in one sitting. Kenyon provides a good overview of the life of the Brontë family. She focuses mostly on Charlotte, Emily and Anne, while occasionally mentioning their brother, Branwell. At the end of the book, I was delighted to see her bibliography that she used as reference for her book. It is clear that Kenyon’s book was well-researched.
Kenyon views the Brontës as literary geniuses, and they truly are. One thing that Kenyon’s book really pointed out to me was how very few choices the Brontë sisters had when it came to choosing how to live their lives. In their society, women could expect to marry only if they had enough money for a dowry. Patrick Brontë, the father of the Brontë sisters, knew very well that the prospect of marriage was low for his daughters. The only respectable way for them to live was to become governesses. A governess acted as both caregiver and teacher. The governess lived with the family she worked for, and she was often subjected to poor treatment from her employer’s family. Charlotte, Emily and Anne wanted more than the life they were given, and they defied the odds of becoming successful novelists in a time where women who wrote were frown upon.
I would recommend Kenyon’s biography to those who want a quick and detailed portrait of the Brontë family.
*I received The Brontë Family: Passionate Literary Geniuses by: Karen Kenyon from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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