Customer Reviews

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

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I admit that I was a little reluctant to pick up The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte, mainly because of the title, because with the exception of Sandra Gulland's Josephine Bonaparte trilogy, I haven't been terribly impressed by most novels that take the form of diaries, secret or otherwise. But pick it up I did, because I wanted a paperback to take to the beach, and I was very pleasantly surprised.

The title of this book is actually somewhat misleading, in fact, because although the narrator (Charlotte, of course) occasionally refers to her writing as a diary, the story is not in the usual day-to-day journal format. "Secret Memoirs" would be a more apt title. So if you're not keen on the diary format, there's no need to avoid this novel.

The event that prompts Charlotte to write about her life is the unexpected proposal she receives from her father's curate, Arthur Bell Nicholls. As Charlotte wrestles with the question of whether to accept, she reflects about her evolving relationship with Nicholls, her infatuation with a married professor in Brussels, her career as an author, and her life with her siblings, all now deceased.

James has researched her subject thoroughly, and it shows without appearing pedantic. Her portrayals of Charlotte's friends and family are true to life and three-dimensional, and where the author fills in gaps and creates dramatic tension between Charlotte and her suitor, it seems plausible. Having read more than my fair share of feminist critics who treat Charlotte's marriage to Nicholls as a tragic example of a gifted female succumbing to male domination, I was pleased to see that James treats the marriage positively, and even romantically.

Though one might enjoy this book better if one has read Charlotte Bronte's novels (and those of her sisters), it's not necessary. James' book also contains a number of extras: besides the usual afterword, there's a question-and-answer section for the author, excerpts from some of Charlotte's letters, and some poems by the Bronte siblings.

As I liked this book so much, I'll be picking up James' first novel, The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen.

Initially, I was a bit dubious about this book. The occasional awkward or anachronistic phrasing kept reminding me that this really was NOT Charlotte Bronte's secret diary. But by the time I was a few chapters in, I couldn't put it down. Based on detailed research, this is a fascinating and deeply involving portrait of what it might have felt like to be Charlotte Bronte. Now I'm excited to reread my favorite Bronte novels -- and to track down and read the ones I've missed, as well.

If Jane Eyre is one of your favorite books, then I highly recommend The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte. I admit that I have never read Shirley or Villette. But this excellent novel, based mostly on fact, has made want to read all the Bronte's works. Immediately after finishing this book, I ordered Shirley, Agnes Grey, and Elizabeth Gaskell's biography on Charlotte.

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte mimics a diary written by Charlotte herself. If you have never read a Bronte biography, don't let that stop you from picking up this wonderful book. The author did a superb job of painting a crystal clear picture of who Charlotte and her family really were. The novel walks you through Charlotte's childhood from her days at The Clergy Daughters School and through the death of almost all of her siblings.

The author really fleshes out all of the characters in the book, not only Charlotte, but Anne, Emily, and their brother Branwell. The novel is full of tragic and heartfelt moments lived by the Bronte family. If you a sensitive reader, you might want to keep a tissue handy.

The Secret Diaries not only explores Charlotte's feelings about her career as a novelist, but also her feelings about being a woman, a sister, and a daughter.

I can't praise this book enough. The end contains some excellent excerpts from letters written to or by Charlotte. The book also contains a few poems written by Charlotte, her sisters, and her brother. Fabulous book!!

My first response upon finishing The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte was "Wow!" I thought this was a wonderful novel that fleshes out the life story of Charlotte Bronte in a realistic and fascinating way.

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte is written from the first person narrative of Charlotte Bronte as she relates the events of her life to her diary. The diary starts with a proposal of marriage to Charlotte which has thrown her household into an uproar. As Charlotte states, "Who is this man who has dared to ask for my hand? Why is my father so dead set against him? Why are half of the residents of Haworth determinded to lnch him - or shoot him" The diary then goes back to start in 1845 and details Charlotte Bronte's earlier life and first meeting of Arthur Bell Nichols.

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte lovingly fleshes out the life story of Charlotte Bronte while remaining true to the facts of her life. Charlotte's stay in Brussels and love of her professor, her best friend Ellen, her time as a governess, her relationship with her siblings, and the writing of her novels are all included. Overall though, this is the love story of Charlotte and Arthur Bell Nichols.

I enjoyed the love story and the development of the relationship between Charlotte and Arthur. Ironically, it often reminded me of Pride and Prejudice as their understanding of each other develops over time.

The end of the novel also has author insights, extras, and more which includes an interview with Syrie James, selected letters of Charlotte Bronte, selected poetry of the Brontes, complete works of the Brontes, and book club questions for The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte. I really enjoyed these extras, especially the author interview and Charlotte Bronte's letters.

Overall, The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte was an engaging, wonderfully written fictional account of Charlotte Bronte's life. I loved, loved, loved how Syrie James has written the love story of Charlotte and Arthur Bell Nichols. Most often Nichols is the second choice and Monsieur Heger is written as the love of her life. I've read Bronte biographies and letters in the past, and it does seem that she truly loved Arthur Bell Nichols. It's about time that their love story was given proper treatment.

It is well known that Charlotte Bronte married Arthur Bell Nicholls, her father's curate, in 1854 at the age of 38. In addition, it is also understood that Charlotte Bronte had a strong attachment for Constantin Heger, a Belgian professor whom she studied and taught with. But which of these two men did Charlotte really love? Did she marry for love or to escape being labeled an "old maid?" Were any of her heroes modeled after these men?

"The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte" by Syrie James is so much more than a daily record, biography, or a mere glimpse into the life of Charlotte Bronte. It is an in-depth account of the most important and momentous years of this famous author's life. This biographical fiction novel is an excellent combination of truth and conjecture that is a gratifying and magnetizing read! I have had the wonderful pleasure of reading Syrie Jame's first book, "The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen,"and in both books I find myself very impressed by the author's extensive research and knowledge about these two literary figures. In addition, I felt she captured an accurate and distinct voice and personality for both Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. As you can already tell, I am now a big admirer of Syrie James.

"The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte" begins with Charlotte the shocked and bewildered recipient of Arther Bell Nicholls' addresses. The book then departs from present time and travels back eight years to when Charlotte first meets Mr. Nicholls. During the time of her first encounter with Mr. Nicholls and his marriage proposal is a very eventful time in Charlotte's life. It is within these eight years that Charlotte and her sisters attempt to publish their poems and embark upon writing individual novels. Furthermore, Charlotte's home life goes through a lot of changes and complications during this time.

I was delighted to learn more about all the Brontes (not just Charlotte) and I enjoyed the many flashbacks of Charlotte's childhood, experiences in boarding school, and relationship with Constantin Heger. All the Bronte's were truly fascinating people and it was interesting to see how many of the experiences and people from their lives were used in their novels. In the back of the novel a lot of interesting extras are included such as a Q&A with Syrie James (in which she imparts which parts of the story or fact or fiction), excerpts from the Correspondence of Charlotte Bronte, and suggested discussion questions for a book club or group read.

Ms. James depicted very integral and descriptive portrayal that leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of Charlotte Bronte. I dearly hope she continues to write more in this vein, I love her reverent and precise representation of these beloved authors. In addition, her graceful story telling is seamless and entertaining. I highly recommend this novel for Bronte admires who are interested in learning more about the Brontes and enjoy reading historical fiction or bio-fiction novels.

Austenesque Reviews

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte is Charlotte Bronte's story--as told from her point of view. Written more as a memoir than a diary with dated entries, the novel chronicles Charlotte's story from her time at the Clergy Daughters' School through her marriage to Arthur Bell Nicholls, who had been in love with Charlotte for eight long years before their marriage in 1854. At first, her feelings for him weren't very strong, but they grew over time. I'd originally thought that the book was going to be more about Charlotte and Arthur's relationship; but it's also about Charlotte herself, and her relationship with her sisters, brother, and father.

The "flashbacks" aren't in chronological form, either, though of course memory doesn't always work in a linear way. The voice that Syrie James uses for Charlotte Bronte is different than those used in Bronte's novels, though that might be intentional; Charlotte's own voice was much different than those she employed for the narrators in her novels. I enjoyed reading about Charlotte' writing process, too. It's a well-written book and well-researched, although I found the footnotes to be a little bit intrusive (though they might be helpful to someone who doesn't know much about the nineteenth century). I was also a little bit annoyed by how Charlotte would give exact ages for characters as she introduced them. I also thought that ending Charlotte's story where she did was a bit of a cop-out for the author.

But I liked Charlotte's view of the world; I was especially interested in her opinions of Monsieur Heger, the married man that Charlotte had strong feelings for. But more interesting is the relationship between Charlotte, Anne, and Emily Bronte. I enjoyed the story arc of the novel--of how Charlotte learns through trial and error how to make her own choices. Although I know little about the Bronte sisters, I always gathered that they were a very passionate, emotional group of women, intelligent, imaginative and creative, despite the circumstances in which they grew up. Anne, Emily and Charlotte were unique women, remarkable each in their own way.

I can't help but compare this book to another that's recently been published: Emily's Ghost: A Novel of the Brontė Sisters, by Denise Giardina, about Charlotte's sister Emily. Giardina does a better job of describing the bleakness of the Yorkshire moors, but the story that Syrie James presents here is a little bit more interesting. Nonetheless, both novels are equally enjoyable. At the end of the book are an afterward about what happened later; a Q&A with the author; excerts from Charlotte' Bronte's letters; some of the Brontes' poetry (including one or two by Patrick and Branwell); a bibliography; and a "study guide."

Here, I was soundly surprised. James' immersion into the subject; the phrasing and the complete Bronte-ness while writing Charlotte's "diary" was refreshing and fun. Charlotte's diary, like the woman herself, is a coupling of dark and light. Plenty of footnotes heighten the atmosphere and enlightened me on numerous time-authentic words and subjects.

At times a kunstleroman unearthing Charlotte's genius-in-embryo and at times a rip-your-heart-out parallel of the events in that greatest of tragedies Villette, I sped through the book. I applaud James for assimilating Bronte's prose and style-- and while there are tell-tale signs we are not reading the source--- she comes close in celebration and homage.

Events, letters, a stern understanding of Gaskell's famed biography: are the thread that binds this interesting literary tribute together. James' re-introduced my passion to a subject I had not engaged with since university ( not that long ago; but long enough for me to recognize that absence surely makes the heart grow fonder).

James painted a truthful canvas and allowed me to spin around in a world at once romantic and melancholy: an imaginative spree I would often take as a teenager --- roaming around the moors; calling for Rochester.


Perhaps the portion most dear to my heart was Charlotte's account of her time at the Pensionnat Heger: the experience which founded her most autobiographical novel, Villette. James uncovers the passion between master and pupil and draws readers back to the original source.



I really, thoroughly, heartily enjoyed this celebration of Bronte's life and developing romance with the curate Arthur Bell Nichols.


Any one who has ever peeked at a Bronte letter; or stole into Charlotte's Juvenalia; or re-read those parts in Jane Eyre ( you know THOSE parts), will find in this work not a stranger, but a welcoming friend. If James set out to revitalize my love for Charlotte Bronte (especially having witnessed her through a slightly different lens) she more than succeeded.

I absolutely loved this book! Syrie James manages to capture the Bronte sisters in a beautiful and delightful way. I learned so much about each of them and her family. We also learn where she got all her ideas from for her novels. This has opened up Jane Eyre to me and Wuthering Heights more than I ever thought possible. I have never been a big fan of Wuthering Heights, but I got some insight into Emily Bronte in this novel about her motivations for writing this.

Charlotte Bronte's life had quite a bit of romance! I was so sad to realize that she died only nine months after marrying the love of her life.

Syrie James spins her story for us in a perfectly knit blankie and I was warm and comfy reading it! (I know, cheese factor is super high with this sentence!!!)

This was a fun way to learn about one of my favorite authors. It was straightforward and fact-based, and though it lagged in a few places, overall a good book.

I don't know how true to life this book is, but it was an interesting read. It got schmaltzy and sappy towards the end, though, so I had trouble finishing it.