Customer Reviews

Emma Brown: A Novel from the Unfinished Manuscript by Charlotte Bronte

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In EMMA BROWN, author Clare Boylan takes two chapters of an unfinished novel left behind by Charlotte Bronte and turns them into a complete novel. In doing so, she incorporates other pieces of Bronte's writing, including a short story published by her husband after her. The result, while perhaps not what Bronte herself intended (we'll never know), is a rich, multi-layered novel that makes for an engaging read.

The novel's title character, Emma Brown, is introduced early in Bronte's opening chapters as Matilda Fitzgibbon, a young girl of about 13. Her background lies in shadow, although it soon becomes clear that she is not who she was pretending to be at the small, exclusive school for girls where she was residing. However, something about Matilda (later Emma) intrigues a local gentleman, William Ellin, who agrees to help her discover her way. He enlists the assistance of his friend and local widow, Isabella Chalfont (who also serves as the book's narrator).

In an effort to draw Emma out, Mrs. Chalfont shares her own experience as a young girl; later, the reader gets a glimpse into Mr. Ellin's past as well. Then, as Emma's own history unfolds, we begin to learn that these three stories are surprisingly connected. Boylan's plot definitely becomes a bit TOO coincidental at this point, but by then, I was so engrossed in the lives of these three characters that I didn't mind. Although I can't vouch for whether this book will please fans of Charlotte Bronte, I do think that most fans of historical fiction would enjoy it, and thus I would not hesitate to recommend it.

I was very intrigued with the idea of this book and the task that Ms. Boylan was undertaking. And I have to say she started off beautifully. She is obviously familiar with Bronte's style and rythm. However, the final few chapters diverge slightly, almost as if Ms. Boylan is tired of writing as Bronte and decides she wants to give the book a 20th or 21st century feel. The style changes, the scenarios and the way the characters interact with each other is suddenly different. She also wraps up the ending a little too neatly. All that was missing was a big fat bow on it.
Overall, the book was an enjoyable read, but by the end, I could only roll my eyes at how neatly all the characters were tied to each other.

Clare has created a polished work from scanty beginnings. It is not, despite the blurbs, Bronte's voice -- it is certainly a modern work -- but it is a stimulating read nonetheless. The characters are well-developed and sympathetic, and drew me in to the mystery. The plot is well-timed, adding in new facets just as they are needed.

Clare focuses on the social ills of the era as well. It is, for the most part, effective. The reader is given to understand that Charlotte was interested in these issues as well. I am not a Bronte scholar, so they are the most marked difference that I noticed between this and one of Charlotte's other works. She does go a little over the top in some areas and loses the depth of feeling thereby.

Overall, this is a well polished book. A compelling read.