Customer Reviews

Charlotte Bronte: A Passionate Life

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From the time I first read "Jane Eyre" in high school until now, some 30 years and many re-readings later, I have never come across anything that made me feel I really could comprehend the woman behind the work, until I read this book,which I finished early this morning. "Jane Eyre" has always been my favorite novel... I have seen every movie adaptation, I have trudged the rainy streets of Haworth and the surrounding moors, I have read several biographies, I have read other Bronte works. You see, I thought if I understood Charlotte Bronte better, I would understand myself better, at least the part of myself that is so incredibly moved by Jane Eyre at every re-reading. I was THRILLED to find a book that leaves the strict biographical details to any of the numerous Bronte biographers and explores the soul behind the facts. It is wonderfully written in its own right and demonstrates incredible insight and respect for the Bronte genius. Without feeling like I was being manipulated by a feminist with an agenda, I came to appreciate the incredible strength of mind and character in a woman like Ms. Bronte, whose unique identity and voice couldn't be suppressed by her social and personal circumstances. My already profound admiration for Charlotte Bronte was only deepened after reading this book by Lundall Gordon for the first time.

At first I thought, "Oh, no, not ANOTHER life of Charlotte Bronte." But this one is worthwhile: convincing and upbeat. Rather than recording day-by-day events of Charlotte's life (usually viewed as pathetic), it emphasizes the miracle of her writing. I could not follow every step of Gordon's critical readings of the novels, but . . . Gordon offers so many other insights to feast upon regarding: the importance of Charlotte's letters, the Bronte family's place in society, the views of Mrs Gaskell, Charlotte's decision to marry Arthur, and the probable cause of her death. The comparison of Jane Eyre to Catherine Earnshaw and to Giselle of the ballet is only one example of Gordon's originality. The serious reader should also look up the reviews of the Times (London) and Independent (London).

Lyndall Gordon does an excellent job of retelling the life of Charlotte Bronte. In this book we see a different side of a woman who since Gaskell's novel, has been pitied. In this biography we find a Charlotte that is full of life and even with the sadness and death that surrounds her is able to continue to follow her own path. She does not crumble into oblivion. Lyndall also opens up parts of Charlotte's life ignored by Gaskell to protect Charlotte's image. This novel reveals a Charlotte Bronte that knows passion and love not just pain and loss. This is an excellent book for any person interested in the life of a incredible author who was as strong-willed as the characters she wrote.

This homage examines Charlotte's personal relationship with her writing, and how people and episodes in her life inspired her imagination.
There are some priceless gems of insight- for example - 'she walked awkwardly, as if one with early hip-trouble.' yet these 'awkward' clues to Charlotte's physical challenges are not explored nor incorporated into her profile.
The first and last sentence in the first and second paragraphs of her first book refer to walking and mobility, yet the author fails to connect his intriguing and vital reference to 'walking awkwardly' with those first written sentiments.
Charlotte 'expounded' her physical impairment in 2 watercolours, the first in 1830 based on Landseer's 'Hours of Innocence', the second 1834 'Lycidas' (a fragile butterfly) half-naked posture borrowed from Fuseli's 'Solitude at Dawn', both originals expose the Lower Right Knee, Charlotte's versions bear the indelible mark of an ugly, 3" diagonal scar. A 3rd 3" diagonal scar on the right knee has appeared on the verso of a disputed group portrait.
The rounded, robust woman on the cover we are firmly told is Charlotte, photographed during her post-marriage illness, months before she expired- of 'frailty' in childbirth.
Describing the photo, Lyndall Gordon advises the 'twist' of her mouth is turned away from the camera- implying that the quirky distinction is unseen on the right side of her face, yet according to Richmond's pastel and Branwell's clever 3/4 aspect, the 'tug' and crinkled architecture is on the left. A third, recently uncovered and controversial group portrait by Edwin Landseer corroborates the unusual scar and with the known likenesses in suggesting the distinctive 'tug' of lips emanates from the left- which directly contradicts the essence of the author's appraisal.
By the time this photo was taken Charlotte had been dead some 5 years.
So who might be the contented, mean-eyed, grave-browed, slightly Slavic, mid-40's chubby woman (with rippled hair & ringlets)? She did indeed have a rightwards 'tug of lips', as seen in other photos - it's Ellen Nussey.

I was happy with the purchase of this book. it was in great condition and is now in my library.

Ok, I love Jane and Charlotte; but this biography is nearly unreadable. It doesn't make sense--too many vague descriptions of events and unclear suggestions of motives. If you want to learn something, most of the older biographies are written in a straightforward style. The facts haven't changed since they were published.

I adore Charlotte Brontė and did enjoy very much this book. I have to congratulate the author on this wonderful bio, very informative and yet so interesting. Everyone who is interested in the Brontė legend should read this biography.