Scan barcode
eyreguide's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great overview of Charlotte's life through her letters. I loved that there were footnotes after each letter (instead of having to turn to the back) and those footnotes were very helpful. Reading this book gave me a new insight into what Charlotte might have been like, and has made me think about her novels in a new light. Especially in how so many of her characters are based on people she knew.
harpirl's review against another edition
5.0
The Oxford edition is wonderful of CB’s Letters! However, I’m completely certain Charlotte would be upset that many of her letters were published. A pleasure nonetheless.
heathssm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
5.0
bleurghonaut's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful collection of letters, and the spirit of Charlotte Brontë absolutely shines through. Her writings about the deaths of her siblings (and, in particular, the passing of her sisters Emily and Anne) are heart-rending. The work loses a star for me as I felt the editing could have been better; while I appreciate that the letters are allowed to 'speak for themselves', personally I would have preferred some context in between groups of letters. The editor provides context in the introduction, some biographical notes in the end, and makes prodigious use of footnotes at the end of each letter (I read this book on my Kobo e-reader, and the footnotes were not particularly easy to navigate). While there is some excellent analysis of Charlotte's unrequited infatuation with Constantin Héger, little is made, for example, of her brutal reaction to the marriage of George Smith, and her subsequent betrothal to Arthur Nicholls. The letter to Ellen Nussey on 11 April 1854 informing her of the engagement seems to me pitifully sad and full of doubt, and after her marriage she seems a shadow of her former self until she fades away entirely. I preferred the layout in Juliet Barker's [b:The Brontës: A Life in Letters|31830516|The Brontës A Life in Letters|Juliet Barker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1472931019l/31830516._SY75_.jpg|13447293] but nonetheless a splendid collection.
petrauusimaa's review against another edition
4.0
Charlotte Brontë's letters give more of a domestic point of view into her and her family's life. The collection includes letters to her friends, publishers but also later on to other authors. Highlights of this collection were definitely her letters to her school friend Ellen Nussey. I loved how close their kept through letters and long visits even though the traveling was weary for Brontë. One of the most heartbreaking moments were seeing her siblings die one by one. I can't imagine how lonely Charlotte felt, only having her father alive and Emily, Anne and Branwell dead. I'm very pleased that I got through this collection in small chunks - it almost felt like corresponding with Charlotte, one of my favourite authors of Victorian era.
hannahnyrie's review against another edition
5.0
An invaluable addition to any Brontë collection. Charlotte's gorgeous, harrowing, and at times hilarious letters offer immense insight into her life, works, and innermost thoughts. I'll definitely be returning to this book, and keeping it close by as a companion.
More...