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groadie's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This is a detailed deep-dive into Brontë culture — of course it's enjoyable. I especially liked Charlotte's biography at the beginning, and I almost wish more of the book had talked about what the author thinks the genius of the Brontës is, rather than simply recounting other people's interpretations. This is my main issue with the book, after a few chapters it feels like the author feels obliged to cite everyone who's ever written down their impression of the Brontës, whether it be a well considered opinion or not. The book becomes a bit too list-like to be absolutely captivating for this reason. But don't let this deter you as there are some very interesting passages and the book is very good at contextualising the Brontë's writing as a whole. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is my favourite so I was sad to see so little time given to Anne, but this is the Brönte 'myth' and not a critique of their works so she sadly falls completely by the wayside, being the more overlooked of the trio (justice for Anne!)
amycrea's review
4.0
This book, along with Janet Malcolm's The Silent Woman, should show you everything you need to know about the difficulties of accurate biographies of writers.
salicat's review
4.0
The Brontes were like Elvis in their day. I realize this comparison isn't the best, but I make it because, like people who claim to spot the "King's" ghost to this day and visit Graceland as if it's Eden, literary fans through the past three centuries have apparently spoken to the Bronte sisters through seances and continue to flock to Haworth Parsonage like it's their personal Mecca.
What made three very simple clergyman's daughters reach the status of myth in Western culture? Lucasta Miller explores this question. For me, personally, it is difficult to think of any books that equal Wuthering Heights, Villete, or Jane Eyre in brilliance (especially WH). But others may disagree- many hold authors such as Thackeray and Austen, even George Eliot, in higher esteem. Yet these authors don't have the mystique and sheer awe surrounding them that the Brontes do. Why is that?
The answer, as Miller postulates, is very simple and quite sad. And it can be traced to one woman. Elizabeth Gaskell.
When the Brontes' novels were first published, they were instantly claimed as genius. But here's the catch- that was when people thought the authors were men (they'd written under masculine pseudonyms, as most of you already know). When word somehow got out that Currer, Acton, and Ellis were really Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, people didn't know what to think. They were horrified that women should have written works of such passion. It wasn't right. The authors, naturally, must have mental problems, which must be rooted in a tragic life.
Elizabeth Gaskell took this last theory and ran with it in her "Life of Charlotte Bronte," written after Charlotte's death. Gaskell wrote some excellent novels herself, and although rich in depth and societal criticism, fire-women like Cathy and Jane cannot be found in her books. She didn't think it was normal for such women to exist in the female imagination. This could only happen, she decided, because the Brontes had led such an oppressive life that writing disturbing novels became their drug.
It is undeniable that the Brontes had had serious tragedies in their lives- such as the loss of their mother, siblings, and of course, Branwell's famous descent into addiction. But their lives were also balanced with fun, companionship, and travel. Gaskell downplays or excludes ALL the positive in their lives. On top of that, she completely makes up horrifying (and baseless) stories about Patrick Bronte, the patriarch of the family and various other Bronte acquaintances, so that it seems that Charlotte, Emily, Anne were mere Cinderellas in a world that was one giant Wicked Stepmother. It's interesting to note that Gaskell left town after the book's publication because she was afraid of the attack of libel lawyers.
Well, the lawyers attacked anyway (rightly so), and Gaskell was forced to revise the next editions of her book. But the damage was already done, and the myth had been created. Gaskell's biography was the basis of all Bronte bios that followed through the years, so the myth remained(s).
The rest of the book follows the creation and attempted unraveling of this myth. Miller writes with humor and clarity- her prose is as lucid as if she were receiving direction from the Bronte sisters themselves.
The book's one flaw is its lack of focus on Anne. Miller mentions in one page how sad it is that Anne has never gotten proper acknowledgement from biographers, and then does the same thing herself! Honestly, that was the only thing keeping me from giving this book a full five stars. Nevertheless, Bronte fans must get their hands on this book.
What made three very simple clergyman's daughters reach the status of myth in Western culture? Lucasta Miller explores this question. For me, personally, it is difficult to think of any books that equal Wuthering Heights, Villete, or Jane Eyre in brilliance (especially WH). But others may disagree- many hold authors such as Thackeray and Austen, even George Eliot, in higher esteem. Yet these authors don't have the mystique and sheer awe surrounding them that the Brontes do. Why is that?
The answer, as Miller postulates, is very simple and quite sad. And it can be traced to one woman. Elizabeth Gaskell.
When the Brontes' novels were first published, they were instantly claimed as genius. But here's the catch- that was when people thought the authors were men (they'd written under masculine pseudonyms, as most of you already know). When word somehow got out that Currer, Acton, and Ellis were really Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, people didn't know what to think. They were horrified that women should have written works of such passion. It wasn't right. The authors, naturally, must have mental problems, which must be rooted in a tragic life.
Elizabeth Gaskell took this last theory and ran with it in her "Life of Charlotte Bronte," written after Charlotte's death. Gaskell wrote some excellent novels herself, and although rich in depth and societal criticism, fire-women like Cathy and Jane cannot be found in her books. She didn't think it was normal for such women to exist in the female imagination. This could only happen, she decided, because the Brontes had led such an oppressive life that writing disturbing novels became their drug.
It is undeniable that the Brontes had had serious tragedies in their lives- such as the loss of their mother, siblings, and of course, Branwell's famous descent into addiction. But their lives were also balanced with fun, companionship, and travel. Gaskell downplays or excludes ALL the positive in their lives. On top of that, she completely makes up horrifying (and baseless) stories about Patrick Bronte, the patriarch of the family and various other Bronte acquaintances, so that it seems that Charlotte, Emily, Anne were mere Cinderellas in a world that was one giant Wicked Stepmother. It's interesting to note that Gaskell left town after the book's publication because she was afraid of the attack of libel lawyers.
Well, the lawyers attacked anyway (rightly so), and Gaskell was forced to revise the next editions of her book. But the damage was already done, and the myth had been created. Gaskell's biography was the basis of all Bronte bios that followed through the years, so the myth remained(s).
The rest of the book follows the creation and attempted unraveling of this myth. Miller writes with humor and clarity- her prose is as lucid as if she were receiving direction from the Bronte sisters themselves.
The book's one flaw is its lack of focus on Anne. Miller mentions in one page how sad it is that Anne has never gotten proper acknowledgement from biographers, and then does the same thing herself! Honestly, that was the only thing keeping me from giving this book a full five stars. Nevertheless, Bronte fans must get their hands on this book.
bookzealots's review against another edition
2.0
if you are a Brontephile, you'd probabaly love this book
lizardgoats's review
4.0
This book has been on and off my reading list for almost a year (not that it was uninteresting, but that I was busy with other projects and kept putting it aside). Indeed, I think Miller's biography does the Bronte sisters justice - she dispels many of the myths that have surrounded the sisters since their deaths and turns them from unreachable saints to relatable women once again. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the lives of the Brontes.
momey's review
5.0
I thought the way the author traced the changing 'myth' of the Brontes lives, within the historical and cultural/moral context over time was really interesting. The chapters on Emily were particularly good. Also I had forgotten how *great* Cold Comfort Farm is and I think I will be rereading that this weekend. I am glad, though (back to The Bronte Myth), I read Juliet Barker's The Brontes before this book.
shalulah's review
4.0
A fascinating study of how the Bronte sisters have been written about in the years since their deaths, the biographer's slant changing with the changing of societal mores, pressure to unearth some new insight, and, in this case, clouded by willful misinformation and mythologizing. Not enough Anne! I was waiting for the Anne chapter.
kjboldon's review
5.0
Fascinating and detailed account of how the personal Bronte myths have often detracted or apologized for the works themselves. Despite attempts and wishes to the contrary, they were not lonely uneducated victimized doomed mystics but scholarly and skilled writers who produced masterworks.