The Brontes

by Phyllis Bentley

Briefly sketches the lives of Emily, Charlotte, and Anne Bronte, and describes the influences on their writing

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, British Literature, Reference, Classics

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 1969

About the author

PHYLLIS ELEANOR BENTLEY, the Yorkshire author, was born in November 1894. Her father was a junior partner in a manufacturing concern located at Dunkirk Mills, Halifax. She was educated at Halifax High School for Girls and Cheltenham Ladies College. A munitions worker in London during the First World War, she returned to Halifax where she taught English and Latin at Heath Grammar School.From an early age her ambition was to be a novelist. After several rejections from publishers, in 1928 she started her long association with the Gollancz publishing house, who agreed to publish her novel ‘The Partnership’. Her masterpiece, ‘Inheritance’ was published in 1932. Telling the story of the Oldroyd family, set against the background of the development of the textile industry, the book received widespread critical acclaim. Two further novels continued the saga of the Oldroyd family, ‘The Rise of Henry Morcar’ and ‘A Man of His Time’. In 1967 Granada Television began the serialisation of the trilogy. The ten-part series featured John Thaw and James Bolam in leading roles.

Phyllis Bentley’s main works were: Environment (1922); Cat in the Manger (1923); The Spinner of the Years ( March 1928); The Partnership (1928); Carr (1929); Trio (August 29 1930); Inheritance (1932); A Modern Tragedy (1934); The Whole of the Story (1935); Freedom Farewell (1936); The Rise of Henry Morcar (1946); Life Story (1948); Quorum; Panarama (1952); The House of Moreys (1953); Noble in Reason (1955); Crescendo (1958); Kith and Kin; O Dreams O Destinations (autobiography, 1962); Tales of the West Riding (1965); A Man Of His Time (1966); Gold Pieces (children's novel, 1968). Many of these novels deal with West Yorkshire and its history.

In recognition of her talent, she received several awards. In 1949 she was awarded a honorary Doctor of Literature ( DLitt) from Leeds University. In 1958 she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and in 1970 was awarded an OBE.

She died in late June 1977 at Ing Royde Home.

Reviews

[Chari · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5

[Sajjad Jokar · Rating 5 out of 5]

امیلی برونته بزرگترین شخصیت و بزرگترین الگویی هست که میشناسم!
از اولین باری که نام خواهران برونته رو شنیدم و جین ایر از شارلوت و وودرینگ‌هایتز از امیلی رو خوندم، بزرگترین سوالی که از خودم می‌پرسیدم این بود: «چطور میشه یک نفر در بیست‌ونه سالگی شاهکاری خلق کنه که برای همیشه جاودانه باقی بمونه؟»
شاهکاری که لقب عاشقانه‌ترین رمان دنیا رو یدک می‌کشه. چطور در بیست‌و‌نه سالگی چنین معجزه‌ای از یک نفر رخ میده؟
اصلاً چطور میشه از یک خانواده و سه خواهر، سه نویسنده فوق‌العاده متولد میشه؟
این کتاب با نوشتن شرح حال خانواده برونته به تمام سوال‌هام پاسخ داد.
هرچند شرح حال غم انگیزی بود اما از الهام‌بخش‌ترین نوشته‌هایی بود که خونده بودم!

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

خواهران برونته:
شارلوت، امیلی و آن برونته سه خواهر از فرزندان پتریک برونته کشیش ایرلندی هستند که علیرغم سن کم و مرگ زودهنگامشان نقش مهمی در ادبیات قرن نوزدهم ایفا کرده اند. ماریا، الیزابت و برن ول فرزندان دیگر این کشیش بودند که آنها نیز عمر کوتاهی داشتند و همگی در اثر بیماری سل از بین رفته اند.
فرزندان برونته در کودکی مادرشان را که او نیز فردی با ذوق ادبی و علاقه مند به مطالعه بود از دست دادند، اما آنها عشق به مطالعه را به ارث برده بودند
سه خواهر و برادرشان برن ول در نوجوانی در دفترچه های بسیار کوچکی که خود ساخته بودند به نوشتن و ترسیم دنیاهای خیالی می پرداختند.
در پانزده سالگی شارلوت و برن ول برای مجلات مطلب می نوشتند. متاسفانه بردارشان نتوانست مانند سه خواهر به پروش استعداد های خود ادامه دهد و نیمه دوم زندگی اش به می خوارگی و شکست در شغلهای مختلف گذشت.
شارلوت، امیلی و آن در سال 1846 (سی سالگی شارلوت ) به انتشار کتاب شعری متشکل از اشعار هر سه پرداختند که با نام های مستعار مردانه چاپ شد. انتشار این اشعار موفقیتی نداشت اما مشوق خواهران برای نوشتن رمان هایشان شد.
تنها رمان امیلی با نام "بلندی های بادگیر" در آن زمان نوشته شد و همراه رمان آن به نام "اگنس گری" در یک کتاب چاپ شد
، اما رمان "پروفسور" شارلوت که در آن زمان نوشته شده بود از طرف هیچ ناشری پذیرفته نشد. بعد آن شارلوت با نوشتن رمان "جین ایر" به موفقیت بزرگی دست یافت و رمان به چاپ چندم رسید و در آن زمان بود که پدرشان از فعالیت ادبی خواهران اطلاع یافت.
دو سال بعد در سال 1848 امیلی و آن در اثر بیماری سل در گذشتند و این دوران برای شارلوت که در حال نوشتن رمان "شرلی" بود دوران سختی به شمار می رفت که این حالات در رمان او نیز انعکاس یافته است. چند سال بعد رمان "ویلت" شارلوت چاپ می شود و او در سال 1854 با پدری روحانی به نام نیکولز علیرغم میل پدرش ازدواج می کند. یکسال بعد شارلوت در 39 سالگی مثل سایر خواهران وبرادرش در اثر ابتلا به بیماری سل از جهان میرود
تنها در آن زمان بود که با انتشار زندگی نامه ی شارلوت برونته توسط خانم گسکل هویت واقعی نویسنده ی رمان هایش برملا می شود و بعد آن رمان پروفسور" وی که اولین اثرش می باشد به چاپ می رسد"
بیشتر مطالبی که از خواهران برونته در دست است، از نامه هایی که شارلوت به الن ناسی دوست دوران نوجوانی اش نوشته است، بدست آمده و این خواهران با استعداد علیرغم عمر کوتاه و جسم ظریف و ضعیف خود آثاری بیاد ماندنی در ادبیات انگلستان در دوران ویکتوریایی خلق کرده اند که تنها سالها بعد از مرگشان به نام خود نویسنده ها در جهان شناخته شده است .

[Tatiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by no means a definitive biography of the Brontes. It is very short, basic, full of pictures of places and people in the Brontes' lives. I liked that the author presented facts in a responsible manner without trying to shock or sensationalize certain events in the sisters' lives.

Overall it presented a much cheerier view of Anne, Emily and Charlotte's experiences than I had expected. Their existence wasn't in fact as dreary as some suggest. The tradition of portraying the Brontes leading the lives of drudgery and deprivation probably stemmed from their early deaths which added a morbid and tragic tone to their story. Even Charlotte's wasn't overly unbearable. Yes, emotionally taxing in the later years, when her sibling succumbed to various illnesses, but utterly awful - no. It appears Charlotte was mostly plagued by her loneliness and lack of love, but in all fairness she was the one turning down marriage proposals, probably waiting for a romantic hero a la Mr. Rochester, an unrealistic product of her vivid, passionate imagination.

After reading this book I no longer think that Villette's Lucy Snowe is a mirror image of Charlotte. While writing this novel the author, I suppose, was in a state of mild depression after the several deaths in her family, which colored the work so darkly, but as a whole Charlotte Brontë's personality wasn't as repressed and as unhappy as Lucy's. But kudos to Charlotte for utilizing every notable experience of her life to create such an emotionally intense work of art.

[Amalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very short biography of the Brontës compared to the ones I've read but Phyllis Bentley really fully explores the lives of the Brontë sisters in their familial and social context. Reading about the Brontës is like a hobby to me because I always end up learning something I didn't know before.

One thing I like this about is how the author has reduced or how he had managed not to add spoilers of their writing. So for someone who is new to their readings will like this better. Compared to Juliet Barker's The Brontës which I think is the best biography of them, this might look like nothing at all but as I said, I always end up finding something new like the "gun portrait" done by Branwell, a painting of his sisters and himself. I wonder how he managed to add him there, since he is the painter.

This contains a lot of pictures of places and people connected to them, their drawings, maps and characters of their imaginary worlds, Angria and Gondal; etc. There are some rare pictures I've not seen any other biography before.

Fans of Charlotte Brontë will love this! About half of the book is about her and people and places connected to her and her writing like, places and people inspired Jane Eyre, her unrequited love with Constantin Hedger and the letters etc. You can also learn as to why Elizabeth Gaskell did some alteration in real details of Charlotte when she wrote Charlotte Brontë's biography.

I got the book to give background knowledge to my students but I too end up learning a lot of new details.

Recommended**

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Puts to rest some of the myths attached to the Bronte phenomenon. Written by a Yorkshirewoman, herself an established author, this is a brief, but well-rounded picture of the three sisters. Although we, at this distance,might see their lives as stultifying, I think each, in her own way, had purpose in her life, and was fulfilled in achieving that goal.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this in one sitting; I couldn't get enough! There are 140 illustrations, along with facts and hypothesis about where Charlotte, Emily and Anne's locations, houses and characters came from- all people and places they knew in their lives. It reads like fiction and I was fascinated with their tale! I wouldn't change s thing!!!

[Corax Corvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book flows like a river without any unnecessary word.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I snagged this book as a library discard, and enjoyed learning the backgrounds to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

Jeez, I'm glad I live in the 21st century and not the 19th. Despite achieving financial and professional success, Charlotte Bronte died nine months after getting married. Being a women has always been hard but it's a lot easier now.

[Isidora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Alice Fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I began and completed this book in a few hours, partly due to my intense fascination for the Bronte’s and otherwise because the length of the book is not too dauntingly spanned and the contents for me (as a Bronte enthusiast) are already somewhat well known. Despite this I must mention that through reading this book I feel I have an improved and more analytical view towards the works of the Bronte’s as not only is their lifetime briefly documented and explored (albeit not as indepthly as say Elizabeth Gaskell’s The life of Charlotte Bronte) the book contains a series of brilliant analysis’ of each of the Bronte’s works including their poetry making this an important read, I feel, for all those who wish to learn more about the Bronte’s or approach a point of view that slightly differs from that of another biographer covering the same topic (also helpful for possible analysis for educational means). A slight disappointment I did discover was the slight void of enthusiasm for Anne Bronte which is unfortunately present in most biographies, Anne Bronte’s section of analysis being the most brief and scanty. Branwell, also, was portrayed as the wretch he is supposed to be without the necessary delving into the factors which forged his character, his relationship (and apparent affair) with Caroline is also unexplored.The book is slightly out of date (being penned around the late 1940’s) although without the mention of this ‘100 year mark’ I do not think that is easily recognisable. The author Phyliss Bentley also takes time to explore the position of the Bronte’s in English literature in her contemporary standards and manages to provide other works covering the topic of the Bronte’s which she herself advises.

I have given this book a rating of four out of five stars mainly because I am glad I read it, that it has laid out a unique though somewhat void of sentimental attachment analysis such as is present in The life of Charlotte Bronte and the correspondence of Charlotte Bronte (much advised reads) which is not an issue at all only it must be understood that this is not quite as indepth or involved as these works although equally as desirable. I do on some levels suppose that this book does deserve a rating of five stars (therefore a conclusion of ‘amazing’) but the fact that there is something hindering me from committing to this rating gives me the impression that the four star rating is the most realistic. A dictionary is also advised as I did find myself unsure as to the validity of my understanding of certain words, though this alone is a fault of my own. Overall, coupled with other works (some noted in the book as before mentioned) this book, I believe, is crucial to a further comprehension of the Bronte’s.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a brilliant resource. I'm going to purchase a copy and add it to my personal collection.

Even though the photos and illustrations are black and white, this book should belong in every Bronte lovers library.

Granted that this book only touches the surface of the Bronte family, it was very well written and should inspire people to learn more about the Bronte family.

[Harri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a product of the 1960s, but still very interesting and with plenty of pictures.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars because of the photographs and illustrations, and 3 stars for the clarity of the storytelling: 80 pages for the early life, ten pages for Charlotte to get famous, marry, fall ill and die and a full five pages for the novels and the sisters as writers.

Short, easy to read and worth it because of the photographs. Including one that may have Charlotte herself featured standing by the Parsonage.

Doesn't add much to the collected history but if you are vaguely interested and only want to read one book then this might be the one for you!

Oh, and an original twist on the story of Branwell's disgrace at Thorpe Green. Bentley suggests that it might not have been the wife he slept with...but the youngest son. (Well here's to you Master Robinson. Teacher loves you more than you would know. Wo, wo, wo!)

[lotte langs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short, yet enjoyable biography of the Brontë family. I picked this up on a whim at my local library seeing it had “very rare local information and photographs”. Suffice to say this might have been true upon publication in 1969 but I think our modern reader might be a tad disappointed.

Nevertheless a very sympathetic rendering, doubtlessly of more interest to those of us more versed in locality. It’s very short, the births of Maria and Elizabeth are barely covered but an impressive feat of research for its time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this at the same time as I started reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. It helped me understand the author better and I learnt things about the other Brontë's lives which will hopefully help me understand their books more when I read them.

[Brenda Clough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A workmanlike biographical survey, with many photographs. But you can get the more current scholarship from later writers.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief but engaging read on The Brontes. Includes bits about their lives, and excellent criticism of their works.

[Georgia Leatherdale Gilholy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A course short, yet redoubled by fame”.

[Rianne Werring · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat dry yet informative book covering the lives of the Brontë family.

[Hanna (lapetiteboleyn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A neat little overview of the lives and works of the Bronte sisters, but ultimately one that says a lot more about the authors opinions and preferences than anything else.

[Amy Drozdowicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can always tell when a biography is written by a Charlotte fan because they just MAKE SHIT UP

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my purchases from the Parsonage Museum in Haworth visited some twenty years ago. I have finally read it and found it's a good overview and excellent reference to the famous Bronte's. It contains some details and additional photos than what I've seen so far. Bentley includes a bit of information about Charlotte's marriage to Arthur Bell Nicholls, including that he'd remarried, which I didn't know. I am also curious if any of the students that the Bronte's taught were ever interviewed; I have not heard it mentioned.

[Makeda Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine introduction to the Brontes, although there would be better books out there if you really wanted to know more about them and their world. Such sad lives they lived! It was gratifying to learn more about the women behind the classics.

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another rescued tome. I've had this around for a while and have skimmed it but now I'll read the whole thing. The subject matter is compelling and so far the pictures and text form an easy and informing read about this curious and amazing family. The cover of my edition is a sort of abstract collage/painting of the three sisters, perhaps sitting out on the moor. Not pictured in the lookup ...

Finished last night with this brief overview of the lives of the family. It was interesting enough and a good introduction into the subject. Will I go further? Doubtful, but youneverknow. A basic 3* book. The subject matter is very compelling of course.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a better understanding of the everyday life of the Bronte family and this book gave me a very good idea of what life was like for them. It was easy to read, and there were a lot of pictures along with the story. It makes me appreciate the modern conveniences of life that we enjoy and that I hope I never take for granted.

Their family experienced a lot of very difficult circumstances and hardships. It helps me understand more about the books that the Bronte women wrote.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very short biography (with a lot of pictures) of the Bronte sisters who wrote Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, etc. They were definitely interesting people. They had a whole "play world" as children and into their 20's that was very...I don't know what the word is...strange maybe. Now I want to read full biographies on all of them.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the correct book I read. The one I read by this author was 976 pages. Very good and informative. I didn't know there were more than one Bronte author. Don't regret spending all the time it took to read this.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent pictorial biography of the Brontes. I loved seeing some of their artowrk as well as reading about their personal lives. It was facsinating.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much detail, but overall I liked it.