Why does this ALWAYS happen???

[[deleted user]]

Why does everyone always compare Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights? We all agree that they're too different from each other and shouldn't be compared, then go right back to comparing them anyway.
I'm inclined to believe it's because the respective authors were sisters, but feel free to share your own theories.

[☯Emily]

Because they are sisters with similar experiences. Sometimes there is a comparison with the works of all three sisters.

[Adriana]

I just wish everyone would remember there was a third sister, Anne, who was an equally gifted writer, and if readers insist on comparing their works, that Anne's books also be considered.

[☯Emily]

I happen to like Anne Bronte's works better than the other two.

[Rebecca]

Anne´s books are lighter, but Agnes Grey has really stuck in my head. It´s almost a children´s book, there is not much to it, but there is something powerful about it. I know this goes without saying but I wish she had lived. She would have written some amazing things.

[Adriana]

I love Agnes Grey, but I think The Tenant of Wildfell Hall deals with much more powerful and darker issues which are still timely today (alcoholism, flagrant infidelity, psychological abuse, etc.).

And I absolutely agree with you Rebecca, I wish she had lived. Actually, I wish all three sisters could have lived.

[Cassie]

I also love Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I have not yet The Tenat of Wildfell Hall. Is it as good as the other Bronte books?

Interesting to note, Charlotte Bronte bashed Anne's work publicly. If it had not been for her critical words it is likely that Anne would be much better known that she is.

[[deleted user]]

Cassie wrote: "I also love Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I have not yet The Tenat of Wildfell Hall. Is it as good as the other Bronte books?

Interesting to note, Charlotte Bronte bashed Anne's work publicly. If it ..."


I never knew that! What did Charlotte Bronte say about her sister's books/writing?

[Victoria]

How come I've never heard of Anne Bronte's works?
why are her works not as revered or popular?

[Sara]

Victoria wrote: "How come I've never heard of Anne Bronte's works?
why are her works not as revered or popular?"

There weren't many works by Anne, and she died young, so she's not quite as prominent.

[Kylie]

Cassie wrote: "I also love Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I have not yet The Tenat of Wildfell Hall. Is it as good as the other Bronte books?

Interesting to note, Charlotte Bronte bashed Anne's work publicly. If it ..."

I recently read Agnes Grey and one of Charlotte's bashes was the introduction to the novel. Charlotte didn't write it until after Anne's death so the poor, mistreated little sister didn't get to read it, but my gracious I bet she rolled over in her Scarborough grave! The whole thing was just vicious! I was shocked that even after all this time, they still print her snarky intro to this great novel! I agree with you, this is probably why her works were so belittled. Poor Anne was destined from the first page of her work to lie in the shadow of her sisters.

[Belinda]

Charlotte's also thought to be the culprit behind the destruction of Emily's second novel. Emily's publisher knew she was working on one when she died, but the manuscript was never found.

[Kristen]

Sounds like Charlotte was bit of a trouble maker. Who says there is not such thing as sibling rivalry? Goodness. I think I'm going to have to read up a bit more about this now. Oh the intrigue!!

[Dee]

here's an interesting article on i - http://www.claredunkle.com/design/mai...

[Dee]

and another one - http://voices.yahoo.com/the-bronte-si...

[[deleted user]]

Dee wrote: "here's an interesting article on i - http://www.claredunkle.com/design/mai..."
Wow! Sounds like Charlotte was kind of a b^tch!

[Dee]

seems like the author of the bio was to blame as well for her not wanting to ruin charlotte's image, but willing to do that to Emily/Anne...

[Margaret DC]

Brooke wrote: "Dee wrote: "here's an interesting article on i - http://www.claredunkle.com/design/mai..."
Wow! Sounds like Charlotte was kind of a b^tch!"

I personally think that calling her a b^tch may be a bit strong ... the relationship between sisters is often very complex ... I used to have a book that claimed their father was very strict (to put it politely) but who really knows ... maybe they were what we call today, a typically dysfunctional family.

[Diana]

I just finished The Tennant of Wildfell Hall and liked it quite a lot. But it has rather a heavy, sententious feel to it. There is a section where she talks about training her young son not to drink that is pretty nuts, but it is understandable, with that brother of theirs, where this came from.
Her portrayal of relationships is very wisely drawn, but the whole thing lacks atmosphere and drama I felt. Ann'e life and experience were so very short. Sadly.