Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë

11 reviews

lizzylakes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I thought this book was really quite adorable. It follows the main character Agnes Grey as she becomes a governess to help her family and show them that she is a capable woman. One of the main focuses of this book is the upper class treatment of those considered lesser than them. 
While it sometimes felt like the descriptions of the characters dragged on a bit and there was more tell than there was show, I enjoyed all the cute moments that did happen in this book. Because of the way it was told, you get the sense that you are traveling with this woman as she walks down memory lane and recounts her governess years. There is never really any rush and things go at their own natural pace in this slice-of-life type novel, which, depending on the person, can be a good or bad thing.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

mari1532's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I own a paperback of this book but chose to listen to it on Audible.

Brief Summary: A young girl, Agnes Grey, whose family falls into hard times decides to take on employment as a governess. After experiencing abuse at her first place of employment she moves to a home where she experiences less. However, she is put in charge of a vapid young woman who dreams of only marrying for money. As the young girl finally reaches marriageable age she toys with the men around her and Agnes finds she is jealous when her attentions turn to a certain gentleman.

Thoughts: I hated nearly everything that Agnes had to work for in this book. They were vain, elitists who had no sense and fewer manners. I will say that this is probably an important work in terms of understanding the wider culture of how governesses were often treated throughout England. However, this book didn't make me like or hate Agnes. I wasn't rooting for her even when the end came all I could think was "I'm happy the dog's storyline is resolved". I don't think I will ever pick this book up again, but don't regret reading it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Death of parent

mondovertigo's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Death of parent

isabella_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent

planetsaturns's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty

Moderate: Death of parent

itsalina's review against another edition

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty

Minor: Animal death and Death of parent

solouncapitulomas's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

or those that said this book had not enough romance in it are y'all blind? ugh, just say you want smut and go read another book, leave my girl Anne alone ok?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship

hot_water's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Toxic relationship

caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

The writing is very good but you can tell this is Anne Bronte's first novel. The beginning was rough but the novel redeemed itself in the end. I just wished that Agnes was written with a less heavy hand. She was a little, ok, a lot, self-righteous. She could do no wrong and everyone else was wrong, and wronged her. A little character growth would have made for more enjoyable reading, and a more likeable MC.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty and Death of parent

lara_bk's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Death and Death of parent