Customer Reviews

The Oxford Companion to the Brontï¿1/2s

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This book supplements other books about the lives, works and legacies of the Bronte sisters. It includes entries on sequels and adaptations of the works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne as well as coverage of their juvenilia.

The book itself is organised alphabetically, has indexes, cross-references and contains over 2000 entries.

Highly recommended for those of us who can never have too much information about the Sisters Bronte.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

If you are beginning any research on the Brontës or just want the back story behind the origins of their writings, you can do no better than to start here. Detailed biographical sketches, citations to the latest scholars and scholarship, plot summaries, character analysis, historical characters and local background sketches, as well as reconstruction of the basic Glass Town, Angria, and Gondal (inasmuch as is known) narratives. And far, far, more.

IMMENSELY READABLE! while maintaining the highest standards of scholarship. There is enough here to sate much of your Brontëan appetite and whet that which is still wanting. And enough bibliographical references to show you where to look next. Christine Alexander and Margaret Smith have produced in a single volume, a model for reference work that I only wish were available for other writers. I own two copies. One to mark up and abuse, the other to cherish and admire. If you like any of the Brontës (for me it's Emily and Anne), you NEED this book whether you know it yet or not.

As a total devotee of the Bronte family, their lives and their tremendous literary works, I was a bit skeptical about this book. How could any one volume encompass the magic of Haworth's most famous citizens? It is vital, encyclopedic indeed, but also entrancing and wonderful. Curl up with it on a rainy or snowy afternoon with a cup of tea or hot chocolate, or on a stormy evening with a glass of wine, and flip back and forth through its pages enjoying the trip into the lovely, passionate lands of the Brontes. Imagine a boiled beef dinner across the table from Emily, silent and ironic, Keeper at her side, with Charlotte and Anne making brilliant conversation. I LOVE this book and highly recommend it to those of us who curtsy at the name Bronte.

I have used this wonderful resource as part of a seminar course concerning the Brontes, and especially Branwell (featuring his juvenilia). I have become a fan of the book overall and will be heartily recommending it as I present new materials dealing with the Brontes. If you teach Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights or if you want quick information about any of the Brontes or their backgrounds, this is THE source! (Anxiously awaiting Alexander's 2010 book on juvenilia, too.)

My friend got me this book as a gift. I am obsessed with anything and all things Bronte so my review may be a little biased. This book is very informative with so many interesting facts! This is one of the first truly thorough book I have read about the Brontes. I have always been enamored with the stories weaved by the sisters and their lives. This book is highly readable and all fans of the Brontes should own a copy of this book.