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The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë #1
The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë
Laura Joh Rowland's San Ichiro novels have enthralled thousands of readers. Now the author turns her gifts for historical fiction to Victorian England and the famous and fascinating Bronte family.
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË, by Laura Joh Rowland (author of the Sano Ichiro mystery series) is an epic, world-at-stake thriller starring the legendary 19th century author and her equally famous family. It’s a tour of Victorian England from gutter to palace, featuring a hero who combines Mr. Rochester with Agent 007 and a villain whose devious schemes threaten the very fabric of the British Empire. Charlotte Brontë is plunged headlong into the sort of thrilling adventures and passionate romance she never actually experienced, but secretly craved. (author's website)
THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF CHARLOTTE BRONTË, by Laura Joh Rowland (author of the Sano Ichiro mystery series) is an epic, world-at-stake thriller starring the legendary 19th century author and her equally famous family. It’s a tour of Victorian England from gutter to palace, featuring a hero who combines Mr. Rochester with Agent 007 and a villain whose devious schemes threaten the very fabric of the British Empire. Charlotte Brontë is plunged headlong into the sort of thrilling adventures and passionate romance she never actually experienced, but secretly craved. (author's website)
378 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2008
25 people are currently reading
1037 people want to read
About the author
Laura Joh Rowland
73 books1,291 followersGranddaughter of Chinese and Korean immigrants, Laura Joh Rowland grew up in Michigan and where she graduated with a B.S. in microbiology and a Master of Public Health at the University of Michigan. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband. She has worked as a chemist, microbiologist, sanitary inspector and quality engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
October 2, 2007
I had to read this book for a review for Library Journal, and this is probably the first book they have sent me in the 4 years I have been reviewing for them that really pissed me off. It is the story of Charlotte Bronte as we have never seen her: a spy for the Crown.
The premise is good: a young woman witnesses a murder and it swept up in the search to find her killer. Charlotte and her sister Anne travel to London to settle a dispute with her publisher. On the train they meet the beautiful but troubled Isabel White. Later in London, Charlotte sees Isabel murdered before her very eyes in the alley next to her lodgings. And she is determined to find Isabel's killer and bring her to justice.
Spoiler alert: If you want to read this book, please skip the following. It is a collection of the items that made this book totally preposterous:
1. Charlotte dives headfirst into adventure by teaming up with John Slade, a handsome young man who is a spy for the Crown. Charlotte has feelings for him.
2. Charlotte leaves the country in pursuit of Isabel's killer, traveling unchaperoned with John Slade, and her father, a minister is okay with it.
3. Charlotte accepts a job with an unknown man, and drives off in a coach to God knows where to join him. And her father is okay with it.
4. Charlotte is involved in a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria's children by a Chinese criminal, bent on ending the Opium Wars with Britain once and for all.
5. Charlotte dry humps John Slade in the woods. PLEASE!
6. Charlotte herself is almost kidnapped and taken to China where she would surely be murdered.
It was just one ridiculous thing after another. It wasn't Charlotte Bronte at all. The story would have made a good romance novel or Alias episode without Charlotte Bronte. I was just unable to suspend my disbelief and read it for fun.
Read at your own risk.
The premise is good: a young woman witnesses a murder and it swept up in the search to find her killer. Charlotte and her sister Anne travel to London to settle a dispute with her publisher. On the train they meet the beautiful but troubled Isabel White. Later in London, Charlotte sees Isabel murdered before her very eyes in the alley next to her lodgings. And she is determined to find Isabel's killer and bring her to justice.
Spoiler alert: If you want to read this book, please skip the following. It is a collection of the items that made this book totally preposterous:
1. Charlotte dives headfirst into adventure by teaming up with John Slade, a handsome young man who is a spy for the Crown. Charlotte has feelings for him.
2. Charlotte leaves the country in pursuit of Isabel's killer, traveling unchaperoned with John Slade, and her father, a minister is okay with it.
3. Charlotte accepts a job with an unknown man, and drives off in a coach to God knows where to join him. And her father is okay with it.
4. Charlotte is involved in a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria's children by a Chinese criminal, bent on ending the Opium Wars with Britain once and for all.
5. Charlotte dry humps John Slade in the woods. PLEASE!
6. Charlotte herself is almost kidnapped and taken to China where she would surely be murdered.
It was just one ridiculous thing after another. It wasn't Charlotte Bronte at all. The story would have made a good romance novel or Alias episode without Charlotte Bronte. I was just unable to suspend my disbelief and read it for fun.
Read at your own risk.
April 8, 2017
Thoroughly strains -- then snaps -- credibility of what a young woman such as Charlotte Brontë might do in extraordinary circumstances. As an avid fan of Stephanie Barron's Jane Austen mysteries, I am more than willing to suspend disbelief in the interest of a good story. I was drawn in and entertained, despite several uneven elements, and almost ready to stand behind the book as a relative (qualified) success...until a horrifically misplaced scene in the woods shattered the illusion of the story and caused me to think that pages from a completely different book had been mistakenly included in my advance copy. Yikes. Too bad, really, because though there had been plot developments that I didn't much care for, I was feeling fairly forgiving until then.
At this point, I still want to give it 3 stars because I did like most of it. However, I reserve the right to change my rating upon further reflection.
At this point, I still want to give it 3 stars because I did like most of it. However, I reserve the right to change my rating upon further reflection.
January 16, 2021
As a member of Team Charlotte, I am a frequent visitor to the Bronte Blog. I won a free copy of this book as part of a contest many years ago. I felt like I was reading a very good imitation of a Charlotte Bronte novel. There are the same psychological insights, and vivid descriptions. This novel incorporates many characters from Miss Bronte's life including her family, her publisher George Smith and Arthur Bell Nichols. Also, Charlotte encounters important people from the era including Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Lord John Russell. My only complaint is the nefarious conspiracy Charlotte is investigating with the Rochester like John Slade spiraled out of control.
June 24, 2008
Just...no. Points for pacing, but the plot is so ludicrous that it just doesn't work. When you're using a real-life person as your protagonist, it helps plausibility not to put them into wildly antithetical situations. I'm also of mixed emotions about Charlotte's characterization - I can see where Rowland is going with making her a romantic, but she comes off as a dippy teenager sighing into the pages of whatever the Victorian equivalent of Tiger Beat is. Bronte fans might give it a go, but from the library.
February 2, 2010
Where to begin? This is one of the best bad books I've listen to since The Wild Baron by Catherine Coulter. If the heroine were not Charlotte Bronte, it would have been a simple overly-melodramic adventure/romance. But adding to escapist's ultimate cou de gras is Ms. Bronte leaving the vicarage to become a victorian dectective being plunged into a nefarious kidnapping of the Queen's children and falling from virtue at the hands of a dreamboat fighting the opium wars. Ugh from me, but romance lovers will find this a treasure. I only finished it to see how the author finished it.
July 30, 2019
Bronte kız kardeşler, okumaktan çok keyif aldığım üç yazar. Biraz değişik, beni dinlendirecek bir şeyler aradığım sırada karşıma çıktı bu kitap ve hemen okumak istedim. Aslında merak uyandırıcı bir konusu var; ancak bazı şeyler o kadar tesadüfî şekilde çözülmüş, o kadar basit şekilde halledilmiş ki yer yer "bu kadarı da fazla" dedirtiyor insana. Bu sebeple kendi açımdan pek de başarılı bulmadığım bir polisiye oldu. Yine de ikinci kitabını da okumayı düşünüyorum.
August 8, 2010
So this was a pretty quick read...a lighthearted book that puts Charlotte Bronte and her sisters on to a murder mystery, espionage, saving the royal family....I enjoyed it. For me, it was something quick and light to read after reading The Book Thief.
November 6, 2017
While putting my order in for this, I came across a Library Journal for it that concluded:
Sigh. The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë is a romp. The fact that you're grinning half the time at its implausibility is half -- or more than half -- the fun. Think of Kim Newman's Anno Dracula novels, or all those fantasticated Sherlock Holmes homages.
So, how good a romp was it? Pretty good, I'd say.
Char, my favorite of the Brontë sisters, so far as one can judge from the novels (though Anne is close behind), is accused by her publisher of having written The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and sold it to another publisher, passing it off as by Acton rather than Currer Bell. So she and Anne go to London to set things straight and, during their stay, witness the murder of a young woman they befriended on the train. This draws them both -- but especially Char -- into an adventure involving the Opium Wars, human trafficking, kidnapping and finally an attempt to hold members of the Royal Family to ransom. Yes, as the LJ reviewer said, it's all extremely implausible, not least the rude bit.
For the most part Rowland seems to catch Brontë's "voice" pretty well, although it's a long time since I've read the novels so I can't be certain. Every now and then an Americanism intrudes (e.g., "happened along"), but nothing unforgivable.
My wife has read all of Rowland's series of Japanese mysteries, some of them twice, and has wholeheartedly recommended them to me. On the evidence of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë (which she hasn't read), I really must give them a try. This is in no way a novel with hidden depths (unless you count its pressing a few home truths about the shameful British treatment of China in the Opium Wars) and it has no ambitions to be regarded as a major work of historical fiction. What it does set out to do is entertain, and in this it very much succeeds.
Rowland tells a thrilling story, but the details are too far-fetched to be believed. It is hard to picture Charlotte Bronte racing about Europe unchaperoned with a man who is young, handsome, and unrelated to her or to believe her minister father would allow her to impugn her reputation in such a manner. Recommended only where demand warrants.
Sigh. The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë is a romp. The fact that you're grinning half the time at its implausibility is half -- or more than half -- the fun. Think of Kim Newman's Anno Dracula novels, or all those fantasticated Sherlock Holmes homages.
So, how good a romp was it? Pretty good, I'd say.
Char, my favorite of the Brontë sisters, so far as one can judge from the novels (though Anne is close behind), is accused by her publisher of having written The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and sold it to another publisher, passing it off as by Acton rather than Currer Bell. So she and Anne go to London to set things straight and, during their stay, witness the murder of a young woman they befriended on the train. This draws them both -- but especially Char -- into an adventure involving the Opium Wars, human trafficking, kidnapping and finally an attempt to hold members of the Royal Family to ransom. Yes, as the LJ reviewer said, it's all extremely implausible, not least the rude bit.
For the most part Rowland seems to catch Brontë's "voice" pretty well, although it's a long time since I've read the novels so I can't be certain. Every now and then an Americanism intrudes (e.g., "happened along"), but nothing unforgivable.
My wife has read all of Rowland's series of Japanese mysteries, some of them twice, and has wholeheartedly recommended them to me. On the evidence of The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë (which she hasn't read), I really must give them a try. This is in no way a novel with hidden depths (unless you count its pressing a few home truths about the shameful British treatment of China in the Opium Wars) and it has no ambitions to be regarded as a major work of historical fiction. What it does set out to do is entertain, and in this it very much succeeds.
September 1, 2019
Enjoying this book requires tremendous suspension of disbelief, but if you can manage it, it's a fun read. It started a bit slow for me, reading like a recitation of facts about the Brontës. It picks up eventually.
The mystery itself is fairly twisty, and the resolution of who killed Isabel White comes early. The remainder of the book launches us into a sinister plot in which Charlotte becomes entangled.
The love story aspect was enjoyable for me (despite all the unlikely events) right up until the end.
I wonder if it wouldn't have been a more interesting story divorced from Charlotte Brontë, with a happier ending instead of one forced to fit reality.
The mystery itself is fairly twisty, and the resolution of who killed Isabel White comes early. The remainder of the book launches us into a sinister plot in which Charlotte becomes entangled.
The love story aspect was enjoyable for me (despite all the unlikely events) right up until the end.
I wonder if it wouldn't have been a more interesting story divorced from Charlotte Brontë, with a happier ending instead of one forced to fit reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
I am not sure this is actually a 5 star book, though it certainly would be a 3 to 4 at least. But it was such a fun, refreshing, well written story that I have decided to be generous.
The book is a fictious account of Charlotte Bronte's role is saving the British Empire. As the plot and it's mastermind are part of the plot, I won't reveal either here. But the life breathed into Charlotte Bronte by the author reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett. Bronte is a full developed and strong female character who is rooted in her time period and mindset.
The book gave a different view of the Brontes, which I will admit was always kind of dark and brooding, al la Heathcliff and Rochester. But though this book is definitely well grounded in an alternate universe, it still presents a different view of how these women could have been. And we can never have too many strong women.
I am thrilled that there was a second book and interested in reading that as well, as the end of the first book places Bronte in the sad place she was in real life, losing all her siblings in a very short time period.
The book is a fictious account of Charlotte Bronte's role is saving the British Empire. As the plot and it's mastermind are part of the plot, I won't reveal either here. But the life breathed into Charlotte Bronte by the author reminded me of Elizabeth Bennett. Bronte is a full developed and strong female character who is rooted in her time period and mindset.
The book gave a different view of the Brontes, which I will admit was always kind of dark and brooding, al la Heathcliff and Rochester. But though this book is definitely well grounded in an alternate universe, it still presents a different view of how these women could have been. And we can never have too many strong women.
I am thrilled that there was a second book and interested in reading that as well, as the end of the first book places Bronte in the sad place she was in real life, losing all her siblings in a very short time period.
May 29, 2022
I was impressed with how the author was able to tie a real-life person with real life events of the time into a believable fiction. I was a fan of Charlotte Bronte, but I had never thought about the actual era she was living in. Reading this story in that time frame was riveting. I know it was fiction, but I can imagine it was possible.
January 4, 2025
Lacking believability. Love her other series - Ichiro mysteries
June 26, 2019
Unbelievable plot, but since I enjoyed Ms Rowland's Sano Ichro series so I felt it would still be a good read...and it was.
June 26, 2022
When I first started reading, I was very impressed by the tone of the narrator, Charlotte Bronte, sounding so much like Charlotte Bronte as I had come to know her in Jane Eyre. This book was an interesting historical fic piece that made the supposition that Charlotte had had an adventure in James Bond international conspiracies. Or maybe she met Fu Manchu. Which I accepted, for the most part. I rolled my eyes a little, but it was sorta fun, too.
At any rate, as the book went on, the language became more modern in bits and sorts, kind of like verbal cracks showing the plaster underneath. Then the sex scenes started, and while there weren't that many of them, they were entirely too modern and detailed to let me remain in victorian England. It's not that the victorians didn't have sex; they just wrote more vaguely about it. At that point it just became an adventure story with sex scenes that would appeal to women.
Meanwhile, there I am reading about how she's meeting the man of her life, wondering how this is going to play out because Charlotte never married, did she? Well, the ending was so disappointing and humdrum and, and...I call it the Star Trek:TNG syndrome. In every episode it seems that when people fall in love, neither party wants to adjust their career, or even transfer to another ship. It's as if there's just no human (or otherwise) relationship that could possibly compare to work.
Puh-leeze. Fear of commitment apparently is alive and well in the 23rd century as well as the victorian era.
But the cover of the book was good.
At any rate, as the book went on, the language became more modern in bits and sorts, kind of like verbal cracks showing the plaster underneath. Then the sex scenes started, and while there weren't that many of them, they were entirely too modern and detailed to let me remain in victorian England. It's not that the victorians didn't have sex; they just wrote more vaguely about it. At that point it just became an adventure story with sex scenes that would appeal to women.
Meanwhile, there I am reading about how she's meeting the man of her life, wondering how this is going to play out because Charlotte never married, did she? Well, the ending was so disappointing and humdrum and, and...I call it the Star Trek:TNG syndrome. In every episode it seems that when people fall in love, neither party wants to adjust their career, or even transfer to another ship. It's as if there's just no human (or otherwise) relationship that could possibly compare to work.
Puh-leeze. Fear of commitment apparently is alive and well in the 23rd century as well as the victorian era.
But the cover of the book was good.
July 18, 2015
I'd like to start by saying that overall- I did enjoy this book. It was entertaining, just not in a can't put it down sort of way. Some of the reviews make it seem terrible, which I don't agree with at all.
The introduction of murder mysteries and global conspiracies into the life of Charlotte Bronte is a great concept. It reminds me of The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne, which is one of my favorite guilty pleasure television shows. In fact, the similarities in the title and concept were what drew me to this book in the first place. Sure, the events of the book are far fetched but at least they were never predictable. As for the romatic aspect of the book, I'm undecided on whether or not I enjoyed it. The book benefited from the addition of Charlotte's passionate feelings but I like a happy ending, so all that build-up just to have everything fizzle out sort of irks me. Of course, the author didn't want to change history so I sort of saw it coming. And really, the ending was handled reasonably well despite the low note on which the book ends. So it's not a sad ending, just a sort of content one.
Which is a pretty good analogy for how I feel about reading the book: Contented, but not especially pleased.
The introduction of murder mysteries and global conspiracies into the life of Charlotte Bronte is a great concept. It reminds me of The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne, which is one of my favorite guilty pleasure television shows. In fact, the similarities in the title and concept were what drew me to this book in the first place. Sure, the events of the book are far fetched but at least they were never predictable. As for the romatic aspect of the book, I'm undecided on whether or not I enjoyed it. The book benefited from the addition of Charlotte's passionate feelings but I like a happy ending, so all that build-up just to have everything fizzle out sort of irks me. Of course, the author didn't want to change history so I sort of saw it coming. And really, the ending was handled reasonably well despite the low note on which the book ends. So it's not a sad ending, just a sort of content one.
Which is a pretty good analogy for how I feel about reading the book: Contented, but not especially pleased.
April 1, 2014
Autem fuga ut quam vitae debitis. Omnis ratione architecto assumenda animi corporis alias. Aspernatur quisquam vel necessitatibus non fuga amet magni. Ex quia provident occaecati. Doloribus qui odit ducimus eum non.
November 22, 2020
7When I was a tween and teen I loved to read books about famous women celebrities and such in completely fictional adventures and mystery stories. I absolutely loved those books! I still read my Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon but it was cool to read about your favorite TV actress trying to solve a mystery and having adventures and romance along the way.
That is one reason I wanted to read The Secret Adventures Of Charlotte Bronte. It is very similar to those books I read before.
I really got into the story about Charlotte and her sisters Emily and Anne living in a small town with their minister father and ner' do well brother Bramwell. The adventure began on a trip to London to discuss business with her publisher with Anne accompanying her. Charlotte witnesses a murder of a woman who had been traveling in the same train compartment as the two Bronte sisters. The adventure soon began and Charlotte meets and agrees to spy for Mr Slade and ends up as governess to an unpleasant pupil whose father was a Chinese businessman seeking revenge against England for their opium trade to China. He was a ruthless zealot and had hatched a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria's children and forced Charlotte to help carry out his diabolical scheme. Really great story and I loved Charlotte as a heroine just like in a 19th century romance novel but around page 270 when Kuan told her about the deaths of his wife and children, Charlotte became a sympathetic character to the villan and I stopped believing in her. She almost ruined the whole rescue mission because of that character flaw. The rescue scene was excellent though and you would expect a happily ever after but things didn't turn out the way you would expect a romantic mystery adventure to turn out . The author just created an alternative universe with Charlotte Bronte as a spy! You would think she would let Charlotte have the guy! That's not how romantic adventures work! So pretty good book for an escape but I was a bit disappointed!
That is one reason I wanted to read The Secret Adventures Of Charlotte Bronte. It is very similar to those books I read before.
I really got into the story about Charlotte and her sisters Emily and Anne living in a small town with their minister father and ner' do well brother Bramwell. The adventure began on a trip to London to discuss business with her publisher with Anne accompanying her. Charlotte witnesses a murder of a woman who had been traveling in the same train compartment as the two Bronte sisters. The adventure soon began and Charlotte meets and agrees to spy for Mr Slade and ends up as governess to an unpleasant pupil whose father was a Chinese businessman seeking revenge against England for their opium trade to China. He was a ruthless zealot and had hatched a plot to kidnap Queen Victoria's children and forced Charlotte to help carry out his diabolical scheme. Really great story and I loved Charlotte as a heroine just like in a 19th century romance novel but around page 270 when Kuan told her about the deaths of his wife and children, Charlotte became a sympathetic character to the villan and I stopped believing in her. She almost ruined the whole rescue mission because of that character flaw. The rescue scene was excellent though and you would expect a happily ever after but things didn't turn out the way you would expect a romantic mystery adventure to turn out . The author just created an alternative universe with Charlotte Bronte as a spy! You would think she would let Charlotte have the guy! That's not how romantic adventures work! So pretty good book for an escape but I was a bit disappointed!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2025
Dnf
#charlottebrontesuntoldadventures #laurajrowland
This beautifully designed book had been sitting on my shelf for a long time, but sadly, I had to leave it unfinished. The author crafted this novel as a gift to Charlotte Brontë, who stood out in her time with her progressive and bold novels. The idea of giving her the adventurous life she might have sought is truly delightful.
The story is set in 1848, and we follow Charlotte. The narrative opens with a 1841 murder in Canton, where a high-ranking official's wife and children are killed. Seven years later, the mystery begins to unravel. At this point in Charlotte’s life, Jane Eyre has just been published, and she’s working on Shirley. She’s juggling her brother Branwell’s struggles with alcohol, living with her father and two sisters in the parsonage. After the Brontë sisters’ books, published under pseudonyms, gain attention, Anne’s publisher mistakenly sells her work to an American publisher, claiming, “I believe they’re all written by one person.” Charlotte’s own publisher demands answers, as they hold the rights. This compels Charlotte and Anne to travel to London to resolve the matter.
During their journey, however, they encounter Isabel White, who is murdered shortly after. Charlotte soon finds herself embroiled in a world of intrigue, political schemes, and spies. Amidst this, she is torn between distrust and passion for Agent Slade.
The descriptions of the Brontë siblings were brilliant and felt true to their real personalities. Emily stood out as my favorite, which aligns with how much I prefer her book over the others. The author’s tone was bolder than the Brontës’ novels, particularly in depicting moments filled with passion, which were beautifully handled.
Despite the promising start, I had to abandon the book because it veered too far from its period atmosphere, diving into political plots and losing the initial “gloomy” charm. The tone shifted to something resembling modern chase scenes, which didn’t sit well with me. As a result, I decided not to continue with the series.
#charlottebrontesuntoldadventures #laurajrowland
This beautifully designed book had been sitting on my shelf for a long time, but sadly, I had to leave it unfinished. The author crafted this novel as a gift to Charlotte Brontë, who stood out in her time with her progressive and bold novels. The idea of giving her the adventurous life she might have sought is truly delightful.
The story is set in 1848, and we follow Charlotte. The narrative opens with a 1841 murder in Canton, where a high-ranking official's wife and children are killed. Seven years later, the mystery begins to unravel. At this point in Charlotte’s life, Jane Eyre has just been published, and she’s working on Shirley. She’s juggling her brother Branwell’s struggles with alcohol, living with her father and two sisters in the parsonage. After the Brontë sisters’ books, published under pseudonyms, gain attention, Anne’s publisher mistakenly sells her work to an American publisher, claiming, “I believe they’re all written by one person.” Charlotte’s own publisher demands answers, as they hold the rights. This compels Charlotte and Anne to travel to London to resolve the matter.
During their journey, however, they encounter Isabel White, who is murdered shortly after. Charlotte soon finds herself embroiled in a world of intrigue, political schemes, and spies. Amidst this, she is torn between distrust and passion for Agent Slade.
The descriptions of the Brontë siblings were brilliant and felt true to their real personalities. Emily stood out as my favorite, which aligns with how much I prefer her book over the others. The author’s tone was bolder than the Brontës’ novels, particularly in depicting moments filled with passion, which were beautifully handled.
Despite the promising start, I had to abandon the book because it veered too far from its period atmosphere, diving into political plots and losing the initial “gloomy” charm. The tone shifted to something resembling modern chase scenes, which didn’t sit well with me. As a result, I decided not to continue with the series.
April 2, 2020
Ok, sáhla jsem po téhle knize, protože jsem byla zvědavá, nakolik Rowland zvládne neasijské prostředí - a stejně si do Anglie kus té Číny dotáhla, holka jedna šikovná.
Chápu komentáře některých znuděných čtenářů - žádná přehnaná akce, spousta cudnosti a víry v Boha (protestantského, samozřejmě), Anglii a podobně. Nic moc poutavého pro dnešního čtenáře. Ovšem nějak takhle by nejspíš tehdejší mladá dáma (byť z méně majetnějších poměrů) své největší dobrodružství prožívala: plná obav, nezvyklých pocitů, vzrušená vyhlídkou na cestu z malého Haworthu do velkého Londýna, natož rozsáhlým putováním, jaké fiktivní Charlotte dopřála autorka. Pokud čtenář přistoupí na autorčinu hru a uvědomí si, do jaké doby, poměrů a společnosti je děj situovaný, může ho kniha o to víc pobavit. Rozpaky mladé Charlotty, když začne pociťovat k panu Sladeovi city (a později se dostane i do vlivu pana Kuana), neuvěřitelná odvaha, s níž překročí vlastní stín a vydá se na svou špionskou cestu, tohle všechno zkrátka funguje právě v souvislostech s časem a místem románu.
Jasně, je to „jen“ lehké čtení, ale hej, je to napsané dobře. Chtě nechtě si promítnete mezi řádky i to, co víte o skutečných sestrách Brontëových, jejich životech a knihách - a aspoň já jsem v některých momentech radši sáhla po encyklopedii a ověřovala si, co je a není fikce. Takže dobrá zábava spojená s menším osvěžením paměti.
Chápu komentáře některých znuděných čtenářů - žádná přehnaná akce, spousta cudnosti a víry v Boha (protestantského, samozřejmě), Anglii a podobně. Nic moc poutavého pro dnešního čtenáře. Ovšem nějak takhle by nejspíš tehdejší mladá dáma (byť z méně majetnějších poměrů) své největší dobrodružství prožívala: plná obav, nezvyklých pocitů, vzrušená vyhlídkou na cestu z malého Haworthu do velkého Londýna, natož rozsáhlým putováním, jaké fiktivní Charlotte dopřála autorka. Pokud čtenář přistoupí na autorčinu hru a uvědomí si, do jaké doby, poměrů a společnosti je děj situovaný, může ho kniha o to víc pobavit. Rozpaky mladé Charlotty, když začne pociťovat k panu Sladeovi city (a později se dostane i do vlivu pana Kuana), neuvěřitelná odvaha, s níž překročí vlastní stín a vydá se na svou špionskou cestu, tohle všechno zkrátka funguje právě v souvislostech s časem a místem románu.
Jasně, je to „jen“ lehké čtení, ale hej, je to napsané dobře. Chtě nechtě si promítnete mezi řádky i to, co víte o skutečných sestrách Brontëových, jejich životech a knihách - a aspoň já jsem v některých momentech radši sáhla po encyklopedii a ověřovala si, co je a není fikce. Takže dobrá zábava spojená s menším osvěžením paměti.
June 3, 2019
I love Jane Eyre and enjoy Victorian Age literature, so naturally I picked up this novel when I saw it in the bookstore a few years ago. Being finally able to read it, I did enjoy it, not as much as I hoped I would, but it has its moments.
The storyline of Kuan and his network of conspirators was interesting. I enjoyed the intimate look into the Bronte family and siblings. The characterization of the sisters seems on the level with all I have read and studied about them.
I would have enjoyed this more if not for two things: the characterization of Charlotte has a woman who seems to fall in love with almost every attractive man she meets and the epistolary plot developments. I know Rowland is trying to be as authentic as possible concerning Bronte and her family and the literary stylings of that period. Charlotte Bronte may have indeed been a bit man-crazy, but the thoughts of that nature get a bit tedious after a while. However, I did find Emily Bronte the most appealing character in the novel. Rowland definitely captures her well.
If you love historical fiction, Victorian Age mystery, and a bit of womanly angst, you will enjoy this book. It was a fast read and an enjoyable romp with the Brontes.
The storyline of Kuan and his network of conspirators was interesting. I enjoyed the intimate look into the Bronte family and siblings. The characterization of the sisters seems on the level with all I have read and studied about them.
I would have enjoyed this more if not for two things: the characterization of Charlotte has a woman who seems to fall in love with almost every attractive man she meets and the epistolary plot developments. I know Rowland is trying to be as authentic as possible concerning Bronte and her family and the literary stylings of that period. Charlotte Bronte may have indeed been a bit man-crazy, but the thoughts of that nature get a bit tedious after a while. However, I did find Emily Bronte the most appealing character in the novel. Rowland definitely captures her well.
If you love historical fiction, Victorian Age mystery, and a bit of womanly angst, you will enjoy this book. It was a fast read and an enjoyable romp with the Brontes.
September 16, 2020
Excellent mystery and adventure with Charlotte Bronte as the protagonist and her family also playing in solving the riddle to a man responsible for heinous crimes.
A man becomes master over a woman who beguiles men into becoming indebted financially to the mastermind. The indented then participate in crimes against their will or their loved ones will die. The crimes are meant to further propel the mastermind to a position of power and control over the monarchy to fulfill his plan.
Great story that also incorporates the timeline for the death of Charlotte’s siblings into the story line.
Too bad the story is a fictional account of the rumblings occurring during the time of the Bronte family.
A man becomes master over a woman who beguiles men into becoming indebted financially to the mastermind. The indented then participate in crimes against their will or their loved ones will die. The crimes are meant to further propel the mastermind to a position of power and control over the monarchy to fulfill his plan.
Great story that also incorporates the timeline for the death of Charlotte’s siblings into the story line.
Too bad the story is a fictional account of the rumblings occurring during the time of the Bronte family.
June 21, 2023
I would have given this a 3 out of 5, but I was not remotely satisfied with the ending and It also became more rediculous plot wise as we learned more about the villian master mind. Up until the murder that really sets this story off and even after it, until we learn who Slade really was, I was quite enjoying it. I do have to admit that I also struggled with liking the various members of the Bronte family at times.
All in all, I have mixed feelings about the book. Its hard to really enjoy the first half of a book and then feel like the second half betrayed you.
I dont think I'll be recommending this to any friends.
All in all, I have mixed feelings about the book. Its hard to really enjoy the first half of a book and then feel like the second half betrayed you.
I dont think I'll be recommending this to any friends.
May 23, 2017
I love Rowland's Japanese detective series featuring Ichiro Sano. Since the library did not have the novels I was looking for in the series, thought that I would try something different by Rowland.
It is a good story but with less action and more talking: The members of the Bronte family are developed through some description but also through personal journals and letters. We get an idea of the family dynamics but a somewhat restrained novel.
PS...one must never sacrifice being in love and being loved.
It is a good story but with less action and more talking: The members of the Bronte family are developed through some description but also through personal journals and letters. We get an idea of the family dynamics but a somewhat restrained novel.
PS...one must never sacrifice being in love and being loved.
September 9, 2017
Charlotte Bronte (yes that Charlotte Bronte) witnesses a murder on a visit to London and is nearly kidnapped by the perpetrators in this work of historical fantasy. Rescued by a strange man, Charlotte finds herself working with Her Majesty's Secret Service to uncover a conspiracy before other people are killed.
Though not my favorite sub-genre of historical fiction, I have enjoyed books that take historical characters and put them in fantastical situations. I found this one to be quite fun, if quite unrealistic for the time period and what I know of Charlotte Bronte's life. I liked that the author took a real historical event (the Opium Wars) and built a pretty solid story out of it. The book was quite fast-paced and suspenseful. The narrative doesn't just stick with Charlotte, but used diary entries and letters to include other characters' adventures.
If you like your historical fiction as accurate as possible, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a fun romp through Victorian England with one of its best-loved authors, then give this book a try.
Though not my favorite sub-genre of historical fiction, I have enjoyed books that take historical characters and put them in fantastical situations. I found this one to be quite fun, if quite unrealistic for the time period and what I know of Charlotte Bronte's life. I liked that the author took a real historical event (the Opium Wars) and built a pretty solid story out of it. The book was quite fast-paced and suspenseful. The narrative doesn't just stick with Charlotte, but used diary entries and letters to include other characters' adventures.
If you like your historical fiction as accurate as possible, this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a fun romp through Victorian England with one of its best-loved authors, then give this book a try.
January 17, 2018
This was the first novel I had seen featuring Charlotte Bronte as an adventure heroine; I was very intrigued, as I often picture her life as even more secluded than that of Jane Austen. Very interesting plot revolving around Britain's presence in China and the struggle for and against opium. Charlotte is caught up in quite the far-fetched adventures, but that's what makes for a good story. I like to see an author unafraid to breathe a little of the exotic into a woman's life which surely have been commonplace, so kudos to Rowland. Sincerely enjoyed the romance and intrigue.
May 19, 2020
As a teenager I started reading victorian mysteries by Stephanie Barron. I fell hard for this genre, and have added many authors to my Loved it list. I stumbled upon this book on overdrive and couldn't put it down. I just finished this book and am dying to read the next! I always search for the author on Google to find out what other works they have done and I will be reading the other series she has written to see if I like them as well. I can't describe the rush of excitement that I had reading this book feeling like I was there experiencing it myself.
August 12, 2021
Good writing, great character development, and accurate links to Charlotte Bronte’s life. But why torture the reader with a romance that could not have happened in her life. That was just mean! But anyway, the adventure takes place in various locations of Bronte’s life and various members of her family are woven into the story. The plot twists and gets more complicated. It is quite an adventure, but I was never convinced that the main character HAD to be Bronte. It was a major stretch. She could have been any preacher’s daughter, who met a mysterious woman on the train.
December 29, 2017
I know this has been slammed by a number of readers but I really enjoyed it. It's not realistic and should be taken for what it is - a rollicking story. I loved the style of writing, giving it a 19th century feel, commensurate with the time period. I'll definitely be passing this one around to see what others think.
May 27, 2018
Kitapla ilgili değişik duygular içerisindeyim.Ne sevdim diyebiliyorum ne de sevmedim.Özellikle Charlotte Bronte nin her önüne çıkan adama aşık olup bu benim kaderim mi diye sorgulaması beni rahatsız etti.Onun dışında fena değildi.
November 18, 2020
I have not imagine Charlotte Bronte as a horny middle-aged lady before and this book does a great job at doing that and I think it will be the only thing that I will remember if I ever see this book again.
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