Bronte Sisters!

[Pensive]

I have just completed Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. Most people consider Anne to be the less talented of Bronte's but I after reading the novel, I found her writing style and the plot really great.

Which Bronte sister appeal you the most? I liked Emily Bronte the most, then Anne Bronte and in the end, I liked Charlotte Bronte.

[woeful painter]

Emily! My favorite! i haven't read Anne's work yet so i'm in no comment for that as of now. Charlotte? hmmm, my feeling is indifferent.

[Lady19thC]

It is hard to choose between the three, isn't it? I have always loved Jane Eyre, so I have a tendency to lean towards Charlotte. But then Anne's works are wonderful and I wish there had been more of them, as they are so autobiographical. Emily's Wuthering Heights is so gothic in nature and you can't help but wonder what the latter two sisters would have written next if they had lived longer. Of course, the same goes for Charlotte, but at least she has 4 novels. I do know that I love to reread the the ones I reread the most are Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey. Then, Tenant of Wildfell Hall, The Professor and the rest of Charlotte's works. I think my only turn-off of some of Charlotte's other works is her many french conversations. I do not speak french and unless I have a paperback copy with good footnotes, most of the conversation is lost on me.

[woeful painter]

if Anne could have been around longer perhaps we could have had more of her works. sad.

[Pensive]

Yep, all of them died quite young especially Anne Bronte.

[Nightshade]

When I last read them Anne was my favourite but you know what tastse change Its been about 4 or 5 years I might have to go reread. :D

[jackyyyy]

Charlotte for me.. something about that woman.

[venus_latina78]

well, I'd have to say my favorite is Charlotte so far, even though I think I haven't really read enough of their works to be able to judge properly. However, I'll comment on the two by Charlotte I've read (Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights). Jane Eyre presents a female character with a strength and determination uncommon in most 19th cent, and Charlotte's mastership of language is further displayed in Wuthering Heights, where she takes the reader from one extreme of emotion to the complete opposite from the first to the last page.

[Helga]

I love Jane Eyre so Charlotte is high on my list, but then again I've only read poems by the other two and Emily's diary witch was really good, her letters too.

[Pensive]

Helga, Try Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It is a great novel.

[Bastet]

I agree with you Pensive, it really is :)

[WaxDoll]

LOL... I'm pulling this thread up ;)

I like Charlotte most of all the Bronte sisters, because her Villette is probably one of my all time favorite novels. Jane Eyre and the Professor are quite good, too, although I have a sneaking suspicion that the main reason I like the Professor is because it reminds me of Villette. Shirley was alright, not something I particularly liked, but I didn't hate it. Anne is my second favorite. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a beautiful novel. Anges Grey is wonderful, too. It kind of reminds me of Jane Austen, minus the satire, but with her own twist. Emily... I didn't like her that much, but only because I didn't like Wuthering Heights. Great book, but I hated all the characters except Hareton. It's hard to like a book when you hate the characters. I only wish I had more of a chance to explore her writing.

[Pensive]

I tried Villette recently but did not get into it much but I am looking forward to read Professor.

I too, hated the characters in Wuthering Heights but I appreciate the character-formation and sometimes, you know one enjoy bitter books....

[Virgil]

I picked Emily. I love Wuthering Heights. Frankly to me it's the best English novel of the 19th century.

[jackyyyy]

I picked Emily. I love Wuthering Heights. Frankly to me it's the best English novel of the 19th century.Thanks, Virgil. I think that means 10 out of 10. I wish they'd make a decent film of it.

[Pensive]

Oh yeah, the film really sucked! I did not like it at all myself.

[WanderingGirl]

I'd have to say Emily because I love Wuthering Heights. It's one of my favourite novels of all time. Next would be Anne because I enjoyed reading Wildfell Hall, and I think it deserves more praise then it sometimes gets.

I least like Charlotte, and I know this sounds mean, but I don't think I'd even like her as a person. She said some very offensive things about Roman Catholics during her lifetime, and I'm Roman Catholic, so...
But I do like Jane Eyre. Jane is a great character, but the story is unrealistic to me.

[mona amon]

If I was completely objective I'll have to pick Emily, because I think her's is by far the best novel. But I'm not, so I pick Charlotte. I feel as if she's written just for me-I feel such a connection with everything she's written.

[ksotikoula]

I like Charlotte Bronte most of all because of her courage to draw so near from her experiences no matter how painful they were and for her personal voice. I always found fascinating the near study of writer's life and their work. And she is a perfect example of that. I find her personality very interesting and I admire her passion and determination. I also like the fact that her writings have a certain sexual tension that is not so apparent in her sisters' novels. Love is a central issue for her.
Jane Eyre is my all time favorite novel, but I feel that in some future period in my life, I will come to love Villette as much. It is such a deep book that one, that it requires several readings before you say you have totally grasp what was in it. It already has started to grow on me.

[sinskeep]

It's a difficult question, but Charlotte is my favorite, followed by Anne and then Emily.

[Dark Lady]

Since this thread keeps getting revived...

Definately Charlotte. I love Jane Eyre, it's one of my favourite novels. Liked Villette as well although not as much.

Then it's Anne, though I've only had the chance to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I feel like she's underated (but not enough to put her above Charlotte).

Then there's Emily. I keep meaning to read some of her poetry but I'm put off by the fact that I detest Wuthering Heights. I actually mean to reread that as well because I just think I must be missing something. I really really hated that novel, possibly more than any other I've read. I was ready to love it and was bitterly disappointed!

[Heath]

I always have liked Emily, then Anne and then Charlotte.
I just have always loved Wuthering Heights, and whenever I have read any biographys of the three, I always seem more connected with Emily and her work.

[Mrs.Dormer]

I'd have to say Emily because I love Wuthering Heights. It's one of my favourite novels of all time. Next would be Anne because I enjoyed reading Wildfell Hall, and I think it deserves more praise then it sometimes gets.

I least like Charlotte, and I know this sounds mean, but I don't think I'd even like her as a person. She said some very offensive things about Roman Catholics during her lifetime, and I'm Roman Catholic, so...
But I do like Jane Eyre. Jane is a great character, but the story is unrealistic to me.

I also don't Charlotte:iagree:. She was meanie :flare: Imagine woman, who hates every fun and good things (Jane Austen, Catholics, etc, etc.). Everything is bad for her. I adore Anne's writtings (which means only one Agnes Grey, I haven't read the others) and Emily's personality. You can say what ever you like, but Charlotte is mean:prrr:

[Three Sparrows]

I like Anne best and Charlotte least. Heh.

[Linda.]

I absolutely prefere Charlotte: I have more affinity with her themes, her stories and her characters; Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books, and I appreciate her not only as a writer, but also as a human being.
I also like Emily: I find her descriptions among the best I have ever read, her style is really captivating, and even if I disliked the most of Wuthering Heights characters, I really enjoyed the book.
Anne, is surely my least favorite: I read Agnes Grey, but I found it boring, plain and, especially, without depth: it was like she had shame of expressing feelings, so we never got the chance to go into Agnes' feelings and thoughts.

[kev67]

I voted Emily. I have only read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, so I am not giving Anne a fair chance, but I am not going to worry about that. I did not like Jane Eyre very much, but I found Wuthering Heights interesting, and nicely written.

[MeLiKeyClaSsIcS]

Charlotte Bronte for the fact that I loved all of her novels, and Gaskell's Life of Charlotte Bronte. The novels are wonderful forays into the early/mid 19th century, and tackle so many different issues that spread into the vast spectrum that is literary theory. Jane Eyre sparked my love for everything I've read from 2008-present, so I'm backing Charlotte all the way!

I love Emily and Anne as well, and to those who chose them, I get it! :)

[Snowqueen]

I’m torn between Charlotte and Emily. Wuthering Heights is a great novel and so is Jane Eyre. One deal with passion, obsession and revenge while other with oppression, love and morality. All right, I voted.

[kelby_lake]

Only on Chapter 5 of Jane Eyre. When does the exciting stuff happen?

[mona amon]

From Chapter 12 onwards, when Mr Rochester bursts into Jane's life on his black horse. ;)

[kelby_lake]

From Chapter 12 onwards, when Mr Rochester bursts into Jane's life on his black horse. ;)

Ooo, argh, there is some bursting! I saw this bit in the 1944 film, with Orson Welles galloping on his Freudian horse and partaking in other unsubtle Freudian activities. Favourite bit is when Jane sits down and he's standing right by her face telling her that he's hard as india rubber!

[qimissung]

Ooo, argh, there is some bursting! I saw this bit in the 1944 film, with Orson Welles galloping on his Freudian horse and partaking in other unsubtle Freudian activities. Favourite bit is when Jane sits down and he's standing right by her face telling her that he's hard as india rubber!


:lol: I haven't seen that movie in so many years. I've seen every other iteration of Jane, maybe it's time to re-visit that one. Is it done on purpose, do you think, or is it purely accidental?

I'd have to say at this point that Charlotte is my favorite Bronte sister. I loved Jane Eyre, although I haven't reread it since high school. I like Wuthering Heights, but honestly I remember very little about it, except that I read it. It just didn't have the impact on me that Jane Eyre had. I tried Villette and gave it up about halfway through. I haven't read anything by Anne. Maybe I'll check out one of her books this year.

[mona amon]

Ooo, argh, there is some bursting! I saw this bit in the 1944 film, with Orson Welles galloping on his Freudian horse and partaking in other unsubtle Freudian activities. Favourite bit is when Jane sits down and he's standing right by her face telling her that he's hard as india rubber!

...with perhaps a sensitive point in the middle... :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFA0TDE7WI

[Snowqueen]

I'd have to say at this point that Charlotte is my favorite Bronte sister. I loved Jane Eyre, although I haven't reread it since high school. I like Wuthering Heights, but honestly I remember very little about it, except that I read it. It just didn't have the impact on me that Jane Eyre had. I tried Villette and gave it up about halfway through. I haven't read anything by Anne. Maybe I'll check out one of her books this year.

I’ve read Jane Eyre twice and gave up reading Villette just like you did. It’s one of the two books that I couldn’t finish; other is Tom Jones by Henry Fielding. Tenant of the Wildfell Hall is a good novel by Anne to start with.

[kelby_lake]

Villette doesn't get going for a while and it's hardgoing with all the French but it's quite an interesting book and very intense- more so than Jane Eyre which is relatively light in comparison. Very depressing though.


...with perhaps a sensitive point in the middle... :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFA0TDE7WI

Oh yes, of course! Is it just me or does he thrust himself a little forward slightly when he says that line?


:lol: I haven't seen that movie in so many years. I've seen every other iteration of Jane, maybe it's time to re-visit that one. Is it done on purpose, do you think, or is it purely accidental?


It has to be on purpose. Too much Freudian flourishes for it not to be.

[Lost&Found]

How can I answer this poll? It would have to be more specific for me to do so. In terms of writing, I can't have a favourite. Emily is my favourite for use of poetic language and imagery. Charlotte is the best for a more political take on Victorian life (and she's probably the most realistic of the 3). Anne has an entirely different style- pious yes but by no means boring or untalented.
Away from their writing, their social lives and what we know about their personalities changes the favourite yet again. Charlottes outspokeness in her letters to friends and aquaintences leaves me in no doubt that she was fiery and passionate- probably a fantastic friend but you wouldn't want to cross her. Emily is somewhat more dreamy enjoying her own company and the outdoors-something I can very much relate to.
And Anne was much more of a home dweller- the least is known of her.
I can only answer a poll like this if a better context is given. There simply cannot be just a generic favourite out of these 3 very different sisters.

[qimissung]

I’ve read Jane Eyre twice and gave up reading Villette just like you did. It’s one of the two books that I couldn’t finish; other is Tom Jones by Henry Fielding. Tenant of the Wildfell Hall is a good novel by Anne to start with.

Thank you, Snowqueen. I will put that on my list of new author books to read this year. :)

[kelby_lake]

Anne's books are actually quite savage. She really hates those men!

[Snowqueen]

Savage in what sense?

[kelby_lake]

Savage in what sense?

Men are all portrayed as brutes. Agnes Grey is particularly brutal, when little Tom says that he rips the legs and heads off birds. The only nice man is the pious effeminate romantic lead, Edward Weston.

[hawthorns]

1. Charlotte 2. Emily 3. Anne

Villette being my favorite of all their works.

[prendrelemick]

I read Villette 2 years ago, and it is this months Book Club choice. I shall not be re-reading it.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is my choice of Bronte books. Its format makes it the most readable.

[ElenaBG]

I looooove Emily Bronte! I mean if you can't see how great is her prose, you have failed at life...
Sure, Wuthering Heights it's not a "happy" book, but it is so intense...

Anne doesn't get enough recognition. I think Anne's work has never been fully appreciated and Charlotte was a b### with her. Agnes Greys is not as epic as WH or Jane Eyre yet I have always related more to Agnes than to Jane.

Charlotte...Oh Charlotte! That women had guts! I love the literary critism she did and that she had the courage to write something like Jane Eyre. Though, I think the beginning of that is somewhat hard to read.


*goes sobbing to a corner because she is the only one that likes the Bronte sisters in her class*

I'm alone in a world full of Jane Austen fans