Week 2 - Chapters 8-14

[Anastasia Kinderman, The Only]

Discussion for chapters 8-14 will take place here.

[Ginny]

Mrs. Gaskell states in Ch. 14: "Acting on the conviction, which I have all along entertained, that where Charlotte Bronte's own words could be used, no others ought to take their place." On my first reading of this book, I think I hurried through many of these letters. Now I realize that they ARE the story--and the writing is so often profound and brilliant. The letters to Ellen Nussey essentially constitute a journal and the writing is so spontaneous, erudite, and often profound, as well as revealing. Ellen was obviously her "darling"--this comes through without any comment from Mrs. Gaskell.

Re the French selections: For those of you who read French, is there a necessity for hunting for translations? Or has anyone found translations?

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

I've been skimming the French.

Loving the descriptions of Emily's affinity to the Moors (I'm still in Chapter 8)

[Lynn]

Ginny wrote: "Mrs. Gaskell states in Ch. 14: "Acting on the conviction, which I have all along entertained, that where Charlotte Bronte's own words could be used, no others ought to take their place." On my fi..."


I confess to skipping the French as far as possible. I'm listening to an audio book and it's unfortunate that my knowledge of French isn't sufficient to enable me to pick out more than a few words but is sufficient to tell me that my narrator's French accent is appalling!

I wish that books of the time didn't assume so much knowledge of French among their readers. I seem to remember that there are large sections of French in one of Charlotte's books- I can't remember which, possibly Villette or perhaps The Professor.

[Lynn]

I was interested to hear that Charlotte often stayed at the Chapter Coffee House in London. When I googled Chapter Coffee House, I found this rather nice illustrated short blog

http://kleurrijkbrontesisters.blogspo...

[Ginny]

That is where Mr. Harding stays when he goes to London to consult with Sir Abraham Haphasard. Charlotte must have read Trollope at some point.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Lynn wrote: "I was interested to hear that Charlotte often stayed at the Chapter Coffee House in London. When I googled Chapter Coffee House, I found this rather nice illustrated short blog

http://kleurrijkbro..."

& if you clink a link again, there is a fascinating short history of the London Coffee House!

[Lynn]

The blog is enormous if you click on all the side labels..... a real treasure trove of Bronte information.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

& with the biography - if there is an edition that translates the French letters, it could be worth seeking out. I took French at school but that was a long time ago & it's now on a par with my Swahili.

So yes, I have given up & am now skimming.

[Anastasia Kinderman, The Only]

Lynn wrote: "I was interested to hear that Charlotte often stayed at the Chapter Coffee House in London. When I googled Chapter Coffee House, I found this rather nice illustrated short blog

http://kleurrijkbro..."

Thanks for the link!

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Anastasia wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I was interested to hear that Charlotte often stayed at the Chapter Coffee House in London. When I googled Chapter Coffee House, I found this rather nice illustrated short blog

http:/..."

Aaarrrggghhh, meant skimming the French! Must better proofread my messages here!