The World of the Brontes: The Lives, Times and Works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte

by Jane O'Neill

Here, O'Neill brings to life the members of the remarkable Bronte family, their works, and the era in which they lived.

Introduction
Chronology
I Who Were the Brontes?
II The Work of the Brontes
III The Landscape of the Brontes
IV The Age of the Brontes
V The Legacy of the Brontes
Index & Bibliography
Acknowledgments

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2002

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the family, so this was a perfect introduction. I especially appreciated all of the images -- photos, art, maps ... but a map of England would have been helpful.

A couple of facts that I should keep in mind when reading any of the Bronte novels.

Chap 4, Transport and Travel
p 122: For those without the wealth to own a private coach, there were public ones, drawn by four horses and traveling at an average of ten miles an hour.

Chap 4, Medicine and Sanitation
p 126 The average age at death for a professional man in town (Manchester) was 38 years, compared with 52 years for those who lived in the country (Rutland). The farmers (and traders) had a much rougher life, with the average age of death being 20 in town and 41 in the country.

Given these figures, the Brontes were fairly 'average.' (Of course, these figures are for the men, not the women.)

[Mary Huyett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed learning the history of the Bronte family. This book is full of great photographs and illustrations! A gem for Bronte fans. I think the author may have been a bit speculative about some things, but as a whole everything seemed very researched and evidence based. The information I learned from this book has given a lot of perspective to the Bronte novels I’ve read (and have yet to read!). Those were trying times to live in. I’m grateful for modern medicine and sanitation. If only those things had been available to our authoresses, more wonderful books would be available to us.

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the Brontes or for those wanting to know a little more than the average Bronte reader.

This covered a lot of ground on things that I already knew having read some works by the wonderful Juliet Barker previously. This book however did give excellent context in regard to events at the time and how some of these events were presented in various Bronte works. I feel that I understand how the Brontes’ lived more and what was happening around them.

[Sara K · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5
Wondeful book.
A little bit sad that Anne Bronte didnt get the full attention that her other sisters got, both in life and throughout her legacy.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iteresting, but rather confusingly laid out as the author constantly referres to events in the bronte's lives that have not yet been covered or explained. I feel this book would benefit greatly from a chronology of their lives in the first section, for the reader to refer back to trhought the book. Otherwise, a fairly good read for any fledgling bronte fan.

[Denis · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is well done with great illustrations and just fascinatin' readin'

[Hamza Khan]

good

[aeve]

How might I join the Brontë Society?