LIFE, believe, is not a dream
So dark as sages say;
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
O why lament its fall ?
- Charlotte Brontë
This poem, by Charlotte Brontë, may be one of the works in a collection of poetry published anonymously by Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell. The siblings had to pay up front and the collection sold only a few copies but they were proud to have their work in print. This also gave them the courage to publish their other novels, beginning with Charlotte's Jane Eyre. However, all of their novels were also published under pseudonyms. They didn't think the public would respond as well to their writing if they knew they were women. The three sisters tried to keep their identities secret for as long as possible.
The first half of the book has been devoted to background knowledge of the sister's lives and how this inspired them and prepared them for a career as authors. Their work is now among the great classics of literature. Unfortunately, the Brontë sisters and their brother all died quite young, leaving us, sadly, with only a few of their great works. I am fascinated with the story of this talented family.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
April 29, 2010 - The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
With over 20 million copies sold worldwide and a slew of spinoffs or sequels in print, including some with vampires and zombies, readers are entranced by the love story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Indeed, the ending of Pride and Prejudice leaves the reader longing for more information about the happy couples united in marriage. What would their lives be like? Where would they live? What would happen to the other characters like Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennett?
The Pemberley Chronicles attempts to address these questions in the same 15th century setting as the original novel, while staying true to the essence of the characters. Using a style similar to that of Jane Austen, the author delves into the time after the marriage, particularly at Mr. Darcy's estate of Pemberley. The stylistic use of free indirect speech is reminiscent of Jane Austen's writing. "Free indirect speech is a style of third-person narration which uses some of the characteristics of third-person along with the essence of first-person direct speech." Wikipedia Despite such careful attention to detail, no one can fully replicate the literary genius of Jane Austen. Although many attempts have been made, few sequels have been satisfying. This is one of the better attempts and therefore, well worth reading.
The Pemberley Chronicles attempts to address these questions in the same 15th century setting as the original novel, while staying true to the essence of the characters. Using a style similar to that of Jane Austen, the author delves into the time after the marriage, particularly at Mr. Darcy's estate of Pemberley. The stylistic use of free indirect speech is reminiscent of Jane Austen's writing. "Free indirect speech is a style of third-person narration which uses some of the characteristics of third-person along with the essence of first-person direct speech." Wikipedia Despite such careful attention to detail, no one can fully replicate the literary genius of Jane Austen. Although many attempts have been made, few sequels have been satisfying. This is one of the better attempts and therefore, well worth reading.
April 28, 2010 - Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant
Sarah Dunant, author of In the Company of the Courtesan and The Birth of Venus, continues her tradition of writing about the Italian Renaissance in her latest book, Sacred Hearts. This time, the setting is a convent, the Convent of Santa Caterina, in the Italian city of Ferrara in 1570. The story is told by Suora Zuana, the nun in charge of the dispensary. She befriends young sixteen-year old Serafina who has been left at the convent, against her will, by her family. Pulled from an illicit love affair, she screams and rages against the loss of her freedom and the power to choose her own destiny.
Although the characters in this story are fictional, the historical context they are placed in is accurate. "After 1480, female monasticism became integral to more systematized family strategies that advanced the collective fortunes of household and patriline at the expense of particular family members. Rising dowries and a complex marriage market meant that making a good match for one daughter increasingly hinged on another daughter remaining celibate." Nuns and Nunneries in Renaissance Florence, Sharon T. Strocchia
It is difficult to imagine how Serafina must feel, especially since modern women have so much more control of their lives. Although our parents continue to guide us and give us advice, many choices are ours to make. Marriage and children as well as a career are distinct possibilities for most women, if they so choose. Careers that were once dominated by men are now shared equally by women. To be forced into a situation such as Serafina is foreign to us. Nevertheless, it is frustrating to witness the powerlessness of women as portrayed in this setting.
Although the characters in this story are fictional, the historical context they are placed in is accurate. "After 1480, female monasticism became integral to more systematized family strategies that advanced the collective fortunes of household and patriline at the expense of particular family members. Rising dowries and a complex marriage market meant that making a good match for one daughter increasingly hinged on another daughter remaining celibate." Nuns and Nunneries in Renaissance Florence, Sharon T. Strocchia
It is difficult to imagine how Serafina must feel, especially since modern women have so much more control of their lives. Although our parents continue to guide us and give us advice, many choices are ours to make. Marriage and children as well as a career are distinct possibilities for most women, if they so choose. Careers that were once dominated by men are now shared equally by women. To be forced into a situation such as Serafina is foreign to us. Nevertheless, it is frustrating to witness the powerlessness of women as portrayed in this setting.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
April 27, 2010 - The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James
The world of the early 19th century was much different than what it is today. I just finished reading a section describing the deaths of Maria and Elizabeth, Charlotte's sisters, both of whom died of consumption (tuberculosis) while at boarding school. The conditions in the boarding school caused many illnesses due to poor hygiene, especially during the handling and preparation of food. The girls were fed very little to begin with so they were often close to starvation. On top of this, what little food they were given was deplorable. They were expected to walk miles to church in frigid weather and then sit for many hours in wet and freezing boots during the lengthy services. All this was done in the name of religion, the founder and director of the institution, Reverend Carus Wilson, believing that "the intent of this institution is not to pamper the body, or accustom you to habits of luxury and indulgence; it is devoted entirely to your spiritual edification, for that is the route to the salvation of your immortal soul."
It is no wonder that most of the girls became ill, six of them dying after an outbreak of typhus. Emily and Charlotte somehow avoided the illness. When Elizabeth died shortly after her sister Maria, also suffering from consumption, their father finally realized what a dangerous environment his children were in and brought them home. It was this experience that inspired Charlotte to write the novel Jane Eyre, placing the motherless heroine in a similar institution in her early life.
We are very fortunate today to have a much better understanding of what causes certain illnesses. Often, hygiene is a big factor and we still see contamination of food or water supplies such as the outbreak in Walkerton caused by the E. Coli bacterium. Medical advances have eradicated many diseases that used to cause serious epidemics. In the 1800's, many children did not live into adulthood and often women did not even make it through childbirth. Although we have our own issues today and some problems still persist, overall people can enjoy a longer, healthier life than their relatives of the past.
It is no wonder that most of the girls became ill, six of them dying after an outbreak of typhus. Emily and Charlotte somehow avoided the illness. When Elizabeth died shortly after her sister Maria, also suffering from consumption, their father finally realized what a dangerous environment his children were in and brought them home. It was this experience that inspired Charlotte to write the novel Jane Eyre, placing the motherless heroine in a similar institution in her early life.
We are very fortunate today to have a much better understanding of what causes certain illnesses. Often, hygiene is a big factor and we still see contamination of food or water supplies such as the outbreak in Walkerton caused by the E. Coli bacterium. Medical advances have eradicated many diseases that used to cause serious epidemics. In the 1800's, many children did not live into adulthood and often women did not even make it through childbirth. Although we have our own issues today and some problems still persist, overall people can enjoy a longer, healthier life than their relatives of the past.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 26, 2010 - House Rules by Jodi Picoult
The young author Jodi Picoult is making a name for herself due to the interesting twist she puts on the stories she tells. She deals with important issues, bringing to light thought-provoking and often disturbing questions. House Rules, released in March 2010, is the seventeenth novel to date for this 43 year old award-winning author. One of her books, My Sister's Keeper, has even been made into a movie.
House Rules is a story about Jacob Hunt, a young boy with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Children who are diagnosed with this condition often have unusual traits such as a lack of empathy or connection to people or situations, an inability to read social clues, and usually some nervous ticks. However, they tend to be highly intelligent, often excelling in subjects like math. When Jacob's tutor is mysteriously murdered, these unusual tendencies look like guilt to the police. It is up to Jacob's mother, who has supported him and stood up for him all his life, to come to his rescue. But, can she, herself, believe in her son's innocence? And, will the justice system work for a child who can't communicate in the normal way?
Told from the perspective of different family members, as well as Jacob himself, each chapter bears one of the character's names. In this way, it is easy to connect with each family member's point of view as well as to experience how Jacob's condition has personally affected their lives. It is not an easy road but one that requires immense courage, determination and understanding. Will the family be able to band together to help Jacob? From reading some of Picoult's other works, I fully expect the ending to be surprising, unexpected and emotionally charged.
House Rules is a story about Jacob Hunt, a young boy with Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. Children who are diagnosed with this condition often have unusual traits such as a lack of empathy or connection to people or situations, an inability to read social clues, and usually some nervous ticks. However, they tend to be highly intelligent, often excelling in subjects like math. When Jacob's tutor is mysteriously murdered, these unusual tendencies look like guilt to the police. It is up to Jacob's mother, who has supported him and stood up for him all his life, to come to his rescue. But, can she, herself, believe in her son's innocence? And, will the justice system work for a child who can't communicate in the normal way?
Told from the perspective of different family members, as well as Jacob himself, each chapter bears one of the character's names. In this way, it is easy to connect with each family member's point of view as well as to experience how Jacob's condition has personally affected their lives. It is not an easy road but one that requires immense courage, determination and understanding. Will the family be able to band together to help Jacob? From reading some of Picoult's other works, I fully expect the ending to be surprising, unexpected and emotionally charged.
April 25, 2010 - The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James
"Belgium! What a complex myriad of emotions are raised within my breast, at the sound of that single word. Belgium! The name has become synonymous in my mind with a person, and a place, both of which - or of whom - combined to exert such a profound influence on me, as to irrevocably change my life."
The account of Charlotte Brontë's time in Belgium, where she travelled twice, once with her sister Emily and once alone, is historically accurate. The sisters travelled to the Pensionnat Héger, a school for young ladies, to learn French and German, so that they could eventually start their own school. Charlotte returned the following year, upon Mr. and Mme Héger's invitation, to teach English. It was during this time that Charlotte became infatuated with her teacher, Mr. Héger. When his wife, having observed them in the garden together, discovered their mutual affection, she made things difficult for Charlotte, eventually causing her to return home. The details of Charlotte and Mr. Héger's attraction to each other may be fictitious but the historical background is accurate. It is said that her love for him inspired two subsequent novels, Villete and The Professor.
The account of Charlotte Brontë's time in Belgium, where she travelled twice, once with her sister Emily and once alone, is historically accurate. The sisters travelled to the Pensionnat Héger, a school for young ladies, to learn French and German, so that they could eventually start their own school. Charlotte returned the following year, upon Mr. and Mme Héger's invitation, to teach English. It was during this time that Charlotte became infatuated with her teacher, Mr. Héger. When his wife, having observed them in the garden together, discovered their mutual affection, she made things difficult for Charlotte, eventually causing her to return home. The details of Charlotte and Mr. Héger's attraction to each other may be fictitious but the historical background is accurate. It is said that her love for him inspired two subsequent novels, Villete and The Professor.
April 24, 2010 - The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James
Although this novel is about the life of Charlotte Brontë, her diaries reveal much about the lives and talent of all her siblings. From Emily's Wuthering Heights, to Anne's Agnes Grey and Charlotte's Jane Eyre, as well as brother Branwell's poetry, each of the children was immensely gifted. Their talent was already evident at an early age. As they played together, they created stories about a fictional land called Angria. These stories were further developed as they spent many hours in each day writing. Emily's poems, published with Anne's and Charlotte's, under the pseudonym Bell, were based on the fictional characters and plots the children had imagined.
In the early 1800's, being published as an author was difficult for women. Their work was not taken seriously if they revealed their gender. Hence, the sisters came up with pseudonyms for their novels. For example, Jane Eyre was originally published under the pseudonym Currer Bell. The fate of women during the early 19th century, was limited. Some married and had children, others were employed as governnesses and some remained spinsters and took care of their family. Education for women was considered a waste. This attitude is evident in the conversations and attitudes of Mr. Brontë, his curate Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Grant. Thankfully, society has come a long way since then. Women can enjoy any career they choose and have written some of the best literature in the world.
In the early 1800's, being published as an author was difficult for women. Their work was not taken seriously if they revealed their gender. Hence, the sisters came up with pseudonyms for their novels. For example, Jane Eyre was originally published under the pseudonym Currer Bell. The fate of women during the early 19th century, was limited. Some married and had children, others were employed as governnesses and some remained spinsters and took care of their family. Education for women was considered a waste. This attitude is evident in the conversations and attitudes of Mr. Brontë, his curate Mr. Nicholls and Mr. Grant. Thankfully, society has come a long way since then. Women can enjoy any career they choose and have written some of the best literature in the world.
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