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Brontë
Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë--faced with an ailing father and an alcoholic brother--pursue independence through art in this graphic vision of the lives of three legendary writers.
Despite their family's stormy fortunes, the Brontë sisters resolved to write. To thwart the nineteenth century's double standards, they took the names of men, becoming the Bell brothers. Their works incited controversy and speculation, while at home, the sisters contended with the rages of Branwell Brontë, their self-destructive sibling. Manuela Santoni presents a time before Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall were known as literary masterpieces, when winds shook the Brontë house and determination held it together.
Despite their family's stormy fortunes, the Brontë sisters resolved to write. To thwart the nineteenth century's double standards, they took the names of men, becoming the Bell brothers. Their works incited controversy and speculation, while at home, the sisters contended with the rages of Branwell Brontë, their self-destructive sibling. Manuela Santoni presents a time before Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall were known as literary masterpieces, when winds shook the Brontë house and determination held it together.
184 pages, Library Binding
First published November 8, 2018
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189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 214 reviews
March 3, 2021
If you haven’t heard of the Brontë sisters, you are certainly living under a rock. Each of them is a literary icon. At the same time, their personal lives were shrouded in mystery. This is especially true of Emily Brontë who was known to be excessively reticent. This graphic novel aims to shed light on three of the best classical novelists that literature lovers have known.
Brontë tells us of how Charlotte, Emily and Anne were initiated into writing, how they chose male pseudonyms to keep their identities secret, and how they struggled in their personal life as well as in their writing career. The story has its base in reality, though the dialogues are obviously not verbatim. Through the simple narration, the author reveals the distinct personalities of the three sisters, their brother Branwell, and their tragic lives. This isn’t an inspiring book, more of an insightful one. The characteristics of the three authors comes out very clearly, and it is hard not to wonder what might have happened had they been blessed with more plentiful and longer lives.
The illustrations are very simple and stark, just like the lives of the Brontë girls. They don’t distract from the story, nor do they add much to it. I guess I was expecting more from the illustrations, but I do understand the decision to keep it simple. It makes sense, but it still fills me with a twinge of regret.
Recommended to all Brontë fans who want a quick look at what made the three talented authors so special.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
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Brontë tells us of how Charlotte, Emily and Anne were initiated into writing, how they chose male pseudonyms to keep their identities secret, and how they struggled in their personal life as well as in their writing career. The story has its base in reality, though the dialogues are obviously not verbatim. Through the simple narration, the author reveals the distinct personalities of the three sisters, their brother Branwell, and their tragic lives. This isn’t an inspiring book, more of an insightful one. The characteristics of the three authors comes out very clearly, and it is hard not to wonder what might have happened had they been blessed with more plentiful and longer lives.
The illustrations are very simple and stark, just like the lives of the Brontë girls. They don’t distract from the story, nor do they add much to it. I guess I was expecting more from the illustrations, but I do understand the decision to keep it simple. It makes sense, but it still fills me with a twinge of regret.
Recommended to all Brontë fans who want a quick look at what made the three talented authors so special.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group, for the Advanced Review Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
March 23, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Graphic Universe ™ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
(actual rating: 3.5/5)
I mostly enjoyed this graphic novel detailing a summary of the Brontë sisters. There was more of an emphasis placed on information than on progressive storytelling, which made for something that felt, at times, quite disjointed. The art style decent, if a bit chunky. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about these sisters, and some of that which they struggled through. Overall, it was fairly enjoyable considering how fast a read it was, and I would recommend it to others who would like a cursory look into the Brontë sisters' lives.
(actual rating: 3.5/5)
I mostly enjoyed this graphic novel detailing a summary of the Brontë sisters. There was more of an emphasis placed on information than on progressive storytelling, which made for something that felt, at times, quite disjointed. The art style decent, if a bit chunky. I enjoyed learning a little bit more about these sisters, and some of that which they struggled through. Overall, it was fairly enjoyable considering how fast a read it was, and I would recommend it to others who would like a cursory look into the Brontë sisters' lives.
August 6, 2021
Maybe something was lost in translation, but this felt a bit too melodramatic. The events of the Bronte family's life did have a gothic feel to it, but so much drama happens in such a compressed time frame as to feel unrealistic. Maybe I'm wrong and the comic was a true depiction of events, but the one-note characterizations and melodrama took something away from the brilliance of the sisters' stories and the tragedies of their lives.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
**Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 12, 2021
This graphic novel begins when the Bronte sisters have returned from Belgium after completing their additional education. Charlotte convinces her sisters to try publishing a volume of their poetry together. Their brother, Branwell, is an alcoholic and opium addict, and their father, Patrick, is becoming more and more ill and weak. The sisters try to make some money with their writing to help support the family.
The story takes extreme liberties with the historical facts, to the point where very little of their real lives is actually reflected in the book. I also hated the way that the sisters' personalities were represented. They are written as being foul-mouthed, belligerent, and anti-social; and that is presented to the reader as their "passion" when really they are just rude and mean in this book.
Nothing about their charitable work with their father's parishioners is mentioned, nothing about their many visits with their close friends, and nothing about their strong Christian faith. Instead they are presented as being completely self-serving and isolated.
I find it difficult to believe that a minister's daughters would act so selfishly and rudely to one another even in the privacy of their own home. Nothing in any part of their actual history even hints at this kind of behavior, and I found it very distasteful.
I think it's odd that so much of the book focuses on Branwell and his addictions. He is violent towards his father and sisters, and Emily retaliates verbally with the most vindictive dialogue. There seems to be no room for patience or compassion in this book.
I just can't stand the way that the actual history that we know about the Bronte family has been completely ignored. I guess you could say that it is a "reimagining" or a "fictionalized account", but even with that excuse, it is a reimagining for the worse. If you wanted to draw out all the darkest parts of someone's life and then exaggerate them into a mess of sins and misdeeds, and ignore anything good that they may have done, that would be this book.
The artwork is not that great. The pen and ink style is not attractive. Some panels look like the illustrator purposefully made it ugly to add to the drama and darkness of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
The story takes extreme liberties with the historical facts, to the point where very little of their real lives is actually reflected in the book. I also hated the way that the sisters' personalities were represented. They are written as being foul-mouthed, belligerent, and anti-social; and that is presented to the reader as their "passion" when really they are just rude and mean in this book.
Nothing about their charitable work with their father's parishioners is mentioned, nothing about their many visits with their close friends, and nothing about their strong Christian faith. Instead they are presented as being completely self-serving and isolated.
I find it difficult to believe that a minister's daughters would act so selfishly and rudely to one another even in the privacy of their own home. Nothing in any part of their actual history even hints at this kind of behavior, and I found it very distasteful.
I think it's odd that so much of the book focuses on Branwell and his addictions. He is violent towards his father and sisters, and Emily retaliates verbally with the most vindictive dialogue. There seems to be no room for patience or compassion in this book.
I just can't stand the way that the actual history that we know about the Bronte family has been completely ignored. I guess you could say that it is a "reimagining" or a "fictionalized account", but even with that excuse, it is a reimagining for the worse. If you wanted to draw out all the darkest parts of someone's life and then exaggerate them into a mess of sins and misdeeds, and ignore anything good that they may have done, that would be this book.
The artwork is not that great. The pen and ink style is not attractive. Some panels look like the illustrator purposefully made it ugly to add to the drama and darkness of the story.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
April 27, 2021
(Thank u netgalley for the e-arc!)
This was an beautiful and simple graphic novel about the brontë sisters. I knew their story already before i read it, but the author did an amazing job with telling it in an easier to understand way with simple but gorgeous illustrations. It really gives off the victorian vibe.
(personal side note: I just wanted to say that i love the bronte sisters, but i somehow have a soft spot for Emily.)
If you don’t know about their personal life and are interested to get to know more about them, i would definitely recommend checking this graphic novel out!
This was an beautiful and simple graphic novel about the brontë sisters. I knew their story already before i read it, but the author did an amazing job with telling it in an easier to understand way with simple but gorgeous illustrations. It really gives off the victorian vibe.
(personal side note: I just wanted to say that i love the bronte sisters, but i somehow have a soft spot for Emily.)
If you don’t know about their personal life and are interested to get to know more about them, i would definitely recommend checking this graphic novel out!
January 15, 2023
Hola amistades, el dia de hoy les traigo una recomendación grafica y es 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶.
Gracias a @netgalley por la copia digital para una reseña honesta.
𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮: Manuela Santoni es ilustradora. Nació en 1988 en la provincia de Roma. Después de haber ido al Liceo Artístico se matriculó en la Facultad de Letras y Filosofía de la Università degli Studi di Roma donde en 2012 se licenció en Historia del Arte.
𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: Se sobre las obras de las hermanas Bronte, Jane Eyre es de mis favoritas pero no sabia realmente sobre la historia de su familia (bueno sabia un poco por las reseñas de la fan #1 @elysehdez19 vayan a su canal es muy bueno) En fin, esta novela grafica nos platica sobre como las hermanas Bronte después de tanta perdida y dolor además de la hartez por su hermano alcohólico se arman de valor para escribir y mandar sus obras a un editor. Veremos las indecisiones de las hermanas al compartir su trabajo y la triste historia de su hermano. Su padre no tenia dinero para la dote de sus hijas por esta razón invirtió lo poco que tenia para mandarlas a estudiar y que se conviertieran en institutrices, fueron criticadas bastante ya que eras solitarias y “diferentes” no buscaban encajar ni conseguir marido. Querian trasender y ser publicadas. Asi es como publican bajo pseudonimos de hombre compartiendo sus historias bajo el apellido Bell, después suceden una serie de hechos que las hace revelar su genero y verdadero nombre. Creo que son figuras inspiradoras y hoy en dia su obra sigue vigente ya que trataban de manera intima los problemas familiares, criticaban las buenas costumbres además del acoholismo y la violencia domestica.
Gracias a @netgalley por la copia digital para una reseña honesta.
𝗦𝗼𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗮 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮: Manuela Santoni es ilustradora. Nació en 1988 en la provincia de Roma. Después de haber ido al Liceo Artístico se matriculó en la Facultad de Letras y Filosofía de la Università degli Studi di Roma donde en 2012 se licenció en Historia del Arte.
𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: Se sobre las obras de las hermanas Bronte, Jane Eyre es de mis favoritas pero no sabia realmente sobre la historia de su familia (bueno sabia un poco por las reseñas de la fan #1 @elysehdez19 vayan a su canal es muy bueno) En fin, esta novela grafica nos platica sobre como las hermanas Bronte después de tanta perdida y dolor además de la hartez por su hermano alcohólico se arman de valor para escribir y mandar sus obras a un editor. Veremos las indecisiones de las hermanas al compartir su trabajo y la triste historia de su hermano. Su padre no tenia dinero para la dote de sus hijas por esta razón invirtió lo poco que tenia para mandarlas a estudiar y que se conviertieran en institutrices, fueron criticadas bastante ya que eras solitarias y “diferentes” no buscaban encajar ni conseguir marido. Querian trasender y ser publicadas. Asi es como publican bajo pseudonimos de hombre compartiendo sus historias bajo el apellido Bell, después suceden una serie de hechos que las hace revelar su genero y verdadero nombre. Creo que son figuras inspiradoras y hoy en dia su obra sigue vigente ya que trataban de manera intima los problemas familiares, criticaban las buenas costumbres además del acoholismo y la violencia domestica.
May 20, 2021
"You stink to high heaven!"
I love the manga style artwork. I love how the art sequence has been presented. The characters start out somewhat grumpy and frustrated. But that's fine. It's the Brontë sisters looking out for each other.
One wouldn't publish her poems, one is involved with a married man, their father is suffering from bad health and their only brother is leading a futile life.
The story gives a glimpse of how writers struggled during those days and what they had to compromise with.
This graphic novel highlights the difficult times the Brontë sisters and their family had to face, their complicated relationships and what the sisters had to do to survive as writers and the tragedy the family had to face.
Got all the right feminism vibes and yes, more power to women writers!
Now I want to read Wuthering Heights.
Thank you Authors and Publisher for the advance reading copy.
I love the manga style artwork. I love how the art sequence has been presented. The characters start out somewhat grumpy and frustrated. But that's fine. It's the Brontë sisters looking out for each other.
One wouldn't publish her poems, one is involved with a married man, their father is suffering from bad health and their only brother is leading a futile life.
The story gives a glimpse of how writers struggled during those days and what they had to compromise with.
This graphic novel highlights the difficult times the Brontë sisters and their family had to face, their complicated relationships and what the sisters had to do to survive as writers and the tragedy the family had to face.
Got all the right feminism vibes and yes, more power to women writers!
Now I want to read Wuthering Heights.
Thank you Authors and Publisher for the advance reading copy.
February 3, 2020
Della stessa autrice avevo già letto Jane Austen e trovo sia molto brava ad evocare le ambientazioni d'epoca.
Sono vergognosamente indietro con le sorelle Brontë, avendo letto solo Cime tempestose. Almeno ora, a livello biografico, ne so di più.
Sempre lietissima che la biblioteca si tenga aggiornata con le ultime uscite della Beccogiallo.
Sono vergognosamente indietro con le sorelle Brontë, avendo letto solo Cime tempestose. Almeno ora, a livello biografico, ne so di più.
Sempre lietissima che la biblioteca si tenga aggiornata con le ultime uscite della Beccogiallo.
February 9, 2021
La graphic novel ripercorre alcuni momenti chiave della vita delle tre sorelle Brontë: la decisione di pubblicare la loro prima raccolta di poesie, il difficile rapporto con il fratello, le difficoltà economiche. Viene ben rappresentata la forte determinazione delle protagoniste nel portare avanti il loro desiderio di scrivere e di rendersi autonome vivendo della propria scrittura.
Sono tre personaggi ammirevoli e dai quali prendere spunto, tre donne forti che non si lasciano abbattere dalla tragicità della loro vita, bensì se ne lasciano ispirare per creare alcuni fra i più grandi capolavori della letteratura.
Sono tre personaggi ammirevoli e dai quali prendere spunto, tre donne forti che non si lasciano abbattere dalla tragicità della loro vita, bensì se ne lasciano ispirare per creare alcuni fra i più grandi capolavori della letteratura.
May 4, 2021
I loved this graphic novel, because the drawings perfectly reflected the dark and bare character of the story, despite the fact that it was about three of the greatest Victorian writers.
Questa graphic novel mi é piaciuta tantissimo, perché i disegni riuscivano a rispecchiare perfettamente il carattere cupo e scarno della storia, nonostante fosse quella di tre delle maggiori scrittrici vittoriane.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Questa graphic novel mi é piaciuta tantissimo, perché i disegni riuscivano a rispecchiare perfettamente il carattere cupo e scarno della storia, nonostante fosse quella di tre delle maggiori scrittrici vittoriane.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
March 3, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy.
I've heard about the Bronte sisters but didn't know much about their personal lives. So this book was a good way to learn about them. I enjoyed this read but nothing extraordinary.
I've heard about the Bronte sisters but didn't know much about their personal lives. So this book was a good way to learn about them. I enjoyed this read but nothing extraordinary.
April 26, 2021
This book is a unique read all about the Bronte sisters. I have been really interested in them since I was young (my Mom watched a lot of the film adaptations of their work) and became even more intrigued when I read Jane Eyre for an English class in University. The family is packed full of fantastic female writers, but their back story isn't so kind.
This story takes liberties. The author of this story obviously wasn't there with them, so you would have to take some liberties for this historical fiction graphic novel. I do think that Manuela did a good job and made the story very enticing. It was an interesting peak into a take of their personal lives.
I did think the art style was a little weird. The illustrations just didn't sit right with me. Overall though, the book was a nice, laid back read about some famous writers.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group and Graphic Universe for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This story takes liberties. The author of this story obviously wasn't there with them, so you would have to take some liberties for this historical fiction graphic novel. I do think that Manuela did a good job and made the story very enticing. It was an interesting peak into a take of their personal lives.
I did think the art style was a little weird. The illustrations just didn't sit right with me. Overall though, the book was a nice, laid back read about some famous writers.
Two out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lerner Publishing Group and Graphic Universe for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
May 8, 2021
In this graphic novel, we follow the three Brontë sisters in their pursue to publish their work in a time when women publishing books was frowned upon and financially support themselves through writing.
We also see glimpses of their personalities and their relationship with their father and brother along with fan facts about their books.
Generally speaking, this is a very easy read and I get its appeal, since it is a nice way to be introduced to the lives of those women whose works still influence us today, especially for a younger audience.
But I also had some complains. For example, the language and dialogues were quite simplistic and the characters of the three main heroines felt a little flat. Also, near the end after their brother dies, the point of view changes to him for some reason and he wraps up the whole thing pretty quick, describing how his sisters died.
Some other complains I had, were in regards to presenting the three women only as writers. Don't take this the wrong way, but I would kind of like to see other aspects of their characters other than being authors as well. I also didn't like some instances of how the women acted but I don't know if that's because of the way the author handled them or if that's based on reality.
For example, I didn't like how Charlotte and Emily described Anne as the meakest of them (and to be honest, Anne was an absolute delight in this) I found it quite deminishing.
I also found it ironic that the same sister who is known as the rebelious one, was the most, how to say this, scared one. I mean, Emily was presented lowkey anti-social and mean. I get being scared of being judged, trust me I have been there, but I don't get being mean to your sisters for writing romance, and taking inspiration from their own lives, especially to Anne who -as this graphic novel suggests- was in love with someone who got sick and died. And all that while being unwilling to speak up about her rights to publishers and hiding behind Charlotte and Anne.
Granted tho, after finishing this, I went on to read in some other sources that this iffy image of Emily we have, could very well be a product of Charlotte's bias against her, or her biographers' attempt to make her (Charlotte) seem better.
I also read that after their deaths, Charlotte would go on to 'polish' and 'hide' her sisters' works which is also a big yikes for me.My first instict is to think that Charlotte may have been a bit jealous or insecure about not being the only one with talent in the family, but whatever.
So, see, I went on to learn a couple of things after finishing this, because it made me curious to know more.
By the way, after the story wraps up, we see a few notes from the author/artist about her thought proccess while writing this, and that's nice, but she mentioned that Anne was the middle sister which is inaccurate, because she was the youngest. What's with that part?
Anyway, this wasn't a negative reading experience by any means. I just expected to see more. If you know beforehands what this book aims t0 do and treat it as only an introduction to start learning about these three women, I believe that you will enjoy it.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We also see glimpses of their personalities and their relationship with their father and brother along with fan facts about their books.
Generally speaking, this is a very easy read and I get its appeal, since it is a nice way to be introduced to the lives of those women whose works still influence us today, especially for a younger audience.
But I also had some complains. For example, the language and dialogues were quite simplistic and the characters of the three main heroines felt a little flat. Also, near the end after their brother dies, the point of view changes to him for some reason and he wraps up the whole thing pretty quick, describing how his sisters died.
Some other complains I had, were in regards to presenting the three women only as writers. Don't take this the wrong way, but I would kind of like to see other aspects of their characters other than being authors as well. I also didn't like some instances of how the women acted but I don't know if that's because of the way the author handled them or if that's based on reality.
For example, I didn't like how Charlotte and Emily described Anne as the meakest of them (and to be honest, Anne was an absolute delight in this) I found it quite deminishing.
I also found it ironic that the same sister who is known as the rebelious one, was the most, how to say this, scared one. I mean, Emily was presented lowkey anti-social and mean. I get being scared of being judged, trust me I have been there, but I don't get being mean to your sisters for writing romance, and taking inspiration from their own lives, especially to Anne who -as this graphic novel suggests- was in love with someone who got sick and died. And all that while being unwilling to speak up about her rights to publishers and hiding behind Charlotte and Anne.
Granted tho, after finishing this, I went on to read in some other sources that this iffy image of Emily we have, could very well be a product of Charlotte's bias against her, or her biographers' attempt to make her (Charlotte) seem better.
I also read that after their deaths, Charlotte would go on to 'polish' and 'hide' her sisters' works which is also a big yikes for me.
So, see, I went on to learn a couple of things after finishing this, because it made me curious to know more.
By the way, after the story wraps up, we see a few notes from the author/artist about her thought proccess while writing this, and that's nice, but she mentioned that Anne was the middle sister which is inaccurate, because she was the youngest. What's with that part?
Anyway, this wasn't a negative reading experience by any means. I just expected to see more. If you know beforehands what this book aims t0 do and treat it as only an introduction to start learning about these three women, I believe that you will enjoy it.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2022
Más que una biografía en formato cómic de Charlotte, Emily y Anne Brontë, este volumen recoge un episodio muy concreto de sus vidas: el momento en el que deciden empezar a publicar su obra las tres hermanas.
Me gustaron mucho algunas de las frases que tienen, cómo se refleja la personalidad de cada una de ellas y la ambientación algo tétrica que combina a la perfección con este estilo de dibujo abocetado, que casi me parecía inacabado a veces... Había momentos en los que hubiera agradecido un mayor detalle en algunas viñetas, que se distinguieran un poco mejor las hermanas cuando Charlotte se quitaba las gafas, por ejemplo, pero en general reconozco que transmite bien las sensaciones que quiere hacer llegar.
Sobre la historia, creo que refleja muy bien la desesperación de su hermano Branwell, que está muy presente de principio a fin, y eso me ha sorprendido, hasta el punto de plantearme si no sería él realmente el protagonista del cómic... Esto y alguna licencia que se toma la autora hacia el final hace que no me haya entusiasmado tanto el cómic como debería, tratándose de la vida de las Brontë. Siento que si no he llorado, algo falla aquí. 😂
Aun así, creo que es una buena manera de acercarse a las escritoras para diferenciarlas entre ellas, al menos, y alejar de las mentes de aquellos que no las conozcan los prejuicios sobre ellas que puedan tener.
Me gustaron mucho algunas de las frases que tienen, cómo se refleja la personalidad de cada una de ellas y la ambientación algo tétrica que combina a la perfección con este estilo de dibujo abocetado, que casi me parecía inacabado a veces... Había momentos en los que hubiera agradecido un mayor detalle en algunas viñetas, que se distinguieran un poco mejor las hermanas cuando Charlotte se quitaba las gafas, por ejemplo, pero en general reconozco que transmite bien las sensaciones que quiere hacer llegar.
Sobre la historia, creo que refleja muy bien la desesperación de su hermano Branwell, que está muy presente de principio a fin, y eso me ha sorprendido, hasta el punto de plantearme si no sería él realmente el protagonista del cómic... Esto y alguna licencia que se toma la autora hacia el final hace que no me haya entusiasmado tanto el cómic como debería, tratándose de la vida de las Brontë. Siento que si no he llorado, algo falla aquí. 😂
Aun así, creo que es una buena manera de acercarse a las escritoras para diferenciarlas entre ellas, al menos, y alejar de las mentes de aquellos que no las conozcan los prejuicios sobre ellas que puedan tener.
March 18, 2024
just fine 🤷
March 3, 2021
The adaptation was good. The whole graphic novel was well-written. The only thing that I did not like was the art style.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
April 11, 2021
Bronte was written and illustrated by Manuela Santoni in Italian in 2018 and translated into English by Matteo Benassi in 2021. In it, the family structure and relationships that produced the well-known literary works are revealed.
Strengths: The turmoil that defines the Bronte household is depicted with a tense immediacy that will interest and engage readers, especially younger ones. Also, the artwork has emotion and movement, evoking images from Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, especially in their most gothic, darkly frantic moments.
Weaknesses: The text feels as if it loses something in translation. It comes across as simplistic and choppy, too lean. While the afterward information helps to fill in some of the blanks, a work about the family that has had so much impact on British and American literature would be stronger if it were more robust and rounded out, possibly expanded to a multi-volume set.
Thank you to the author, the translator, Graphic Universe, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Strengths: The turmoil that defines the Bronte household is depicted with a tense immediacy that will interest and engage readers, especially younger ones. Also, the artwork has emotion and movement, evoking images from Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, especially in their most gothic, darkly frantic moments.
Weaknesses: The text feels as if it loses something in translation. It comes across as simplistic and choppy, too lean. While the afterward information helps to fill in some of the blanks, a work about the family that has had so much impact on British and American literature would be stronger if it were more robust and rounded out, possibly expanded to a multi-volume set.
Thank you to the author, the translator, Graphic Universe, and NetGalley for an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2021
Rating: 3/5 stars.
“Brontë” by Manuela Santoni is an adaptation in graphic novel format of the lives of Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Brontë. The story is focused on their lives from just prior to the start of their writing careers, to their untimely deaths. While I enjoyed the book, I found it was lacking in a few areas. I appreciated the monochromatic art style, and felt it suited the overall tone of the book well. However, it could be a little hard at times because of the lack in contrast between characters to tell just who was who in some of the panels. The story jumped around a fair bit as well, as it covered a fairly sizeable time period, and there was not always a good indication of the length of these jumps. This made the book a little hard to understand and follow. Despite this, I did like the book, and would recommend it to young readers who are wanting to learn more about the lives of the Brontë sisters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
“Brontë” by Manuela Santoni is an adaptation in graphic novel format of the lives of Emily, Anne, and Charlotte Brontë. The story is focused on their lives from just prior to the start of their writing careers, to their untimely deaths. While I enjoyed the book, I found it was lacking in a few areas. I appreciated the monochromatic art style, and felt it suited the overall tone of the book well. However, it could be a little hard at times because of the lack in contrast between characters to tell just who was who in some of the panels. The story jumped around a fair bit as well, as it covered a fairly sizeable time period, and there was not always a good indication of the length of these jumps. This made the book a little hard to understand and follow. Despite this, I did like the book, and would recommend it to young readers who are wanting to learn more about the lives of the Brontë sisters.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*
September 25, 2024
In un’epoca vittoriana artificiosa e opaca, nella campagna inglese di metà Ottocento, Charlotte, Emily e Anne – con un padre ormai anziano e un fratello dedito al bere – si ritrovano a far fronte da sole alle sorti economiche della famiglia Brontë.
E lo fanno a modo loro: superando con orgoglio e con coraggio le difficoltà e i primi fallimenti, e trasformando il loro talento creativo e la passione per la scrittura in una fonte primaria di sostentamento, per poter vivere finalmente una vita intensa, in piena libertà.
E lo fanno a modo loro: superando con orgoglio e con coraggio le difficoltà e i primi fallimenti, e trasformando il loro talento creativo e la passione per la scrittura in una fonte primaria di sostentamento, per poter vivere finalmente una vita intensa, in piena libertà.
April 30, 2021
Me gustó. No leí nada de las hermanas Brontë todavía aunque las tengo muy pendientes.
Me pareció una manera interesante de conocer un poco la dura vida que tuvieron y saber de manera muy resumida sus pasos por la escritura.
La parte artística me gustó, creo que lo oscuro y tétrico se asemeja mucho con la vida que tuvieron pero hubo dibujos que no entendí qué se suponían que eran.
Se lee muy rápido
Me pareció una manera interesante de conocer un poco la dura vida que tuvieron y saber de manera muy resumida sus pasos por la escritura.
La parte artística me gustó, creo que lo oscuro y tétrico se asemeja mucho con la vida que tuvieron pero hubo dibujos que no entendí qué se suponían que eran.
Se lee muy rápido
March 12, 2021
Brontë, by Manuela Santoni in a biographical graphic novel of the Bronte siblings. The elegant lines on the cover immediately drew me in, and I just had to read the title to know this was a comic I had to read.
What is the story about?
This is a dark comic, gothic and melancholic and wild, exactly like I imagine those sisters would have liked. They were incredibly independent women of their time, so talented too and it’s so tragic to think they lost their lives so young. This is a forever running theme of the talented person not living beyond thirty and never able to fully accomplish giving what they could have to humanity. It is such a tragic fate. And it is so fitting to their style.
What I hadn’t foreseen was the importance of the brother in this tale. I didn’t know that much about the sisters except for their reputed strong personalities and early death. This book gave a very emotional view into their lives, highlighting the hardship and conflict and passion and ultimately their love for each other. They were very different the 3 of them. But they shared one amazing passion: the one of writing and that will to be more than what their time allowed is, to be liberated is what shines out of this book.
What about the illustrations?
They are simple energetic lines that manage a very elegant world. The Bronte sisters have strong chins, long eyes and high foreheads: They are determined, romantic and smart. There brother looks so much like Emily, the wildest, and we can see that the strongest bond could have been between them. I really loved the character design, but there is also a lot of poetry in the illustrations. Chapters are separated by large panels of breathing space where an almost elemental, ephemeral pause gives this gothic feel to the comic. There are crows, cold weather, whispers of scandal, fights, love and hate. And so much of the atmosphere of those brilliant writers has been drawn here.
This is really a work of love, a declaration to 3 amazing women. A lovely comic to read.
For more graphic novel reviews from me, check out my blog:
https://opaledgar.wordpress.com/blog-2/
What is the story about?
This is a dark comic, gothic and melancholic and wild, exactly like I imagine those sisters would have liked. They were incredibly independent women of their time, so talented too and it’s so tragic to think they lost their lives so young. This is a forever running theme of the talented person not living beyond thirty and never able to fully accomplish giving what they could have to humanity. It is such a tragic fate. And it is so fitting to their style.
What I hadn’t foreseen was the importance of the brother in this tale. I didn’t know that much about the sisters except for their reputed strong personalities and early death. This book gave a very emotional view into their lives, highlighting the hardship and conflict and passion and ultimately their love for each other. They were very different the 3 of them. But they shared one amazing passion: the one of writing and that will to be more than what their time allowed is, to be liberated is what shines out of this book.
What about the illustrations?
They are simple energetic lines that manage a very elegant world. The Bronte sisters have strong chins, long eyes and high foreheads: They are determined, romantic and smart. There brother looks so much like Emily, the wildest, and we can see that the strongest bond could have been between them. I really loved the character design, but there is also a lot of poetry in the illustrations. Chapters are separated by large panels of breathing space where an almost elemental, ephemeral pause gives this gothic feel to the comic. There are crows, cold weather, whispers of scandal, fights, love and hate. And so much of the atmosphere of those brilliant writers has been drawn here.
This is really a work of love, a declaration to 3 amazing women. A lovely comic to read.
For more graphic novel reviews from me, check out my blog:
https://opaledgar.wordpress.com/blog-2/
August 30, 2019
È difficile esprimere un'opinione obiettiva su un libro, ma in questo caso per me è addirittura quasi impossibile. Cime Tempestose è stato il primo classico per adulti che io abbia davvero amato, e continuo ad amarlo tuttora, a più di quindici anni dalla prima lettura. È stato il mio primo, folgorante approccio al mondo delle sorelle Brontë, e resta il mio preferito tra i loro libri. Ma non si può veramente leggere e apprezzare un romanzo senza cercare di sapere qualcosa di chi lo ha scritto, e così ho imparato che la storia di Emily, Charlotte ed Anne Brontë è essa stessa un romanzo che vale la pena di scoprire. È la storia di tre ragazze talentuose e solitarie, forti e intelligenti, che cercano di farsi strada attraverso mille difficoltà. È una storia semplice, drammatica, lineare, senza colpi di scena e senza lieto fine, una storia vera.
Manuela Santoni ha raccontato la tenacia e il talento di queste ragazze, la forza del loro legame, le difficoltà incontrate in un mondo di soli uomini, il rapporto con il fratello, il ricordo delle sorelle maggiori, la vita quotidiana e i piccoli bisticci. Qui dentro c'è tutto.
O quasi.
In effetti, mancano molti dettagli alla trama, e, per chi non conosce affatto la storia delle Brontë, la lettura potrebbe risultare incompleta. Per fortuna la postfazione arricchisce il libro di tutti quei dettagli significativi che sono stati omessi nel fumetto, rendendo l'insieme perfettamente fruibile e chiaro.
Non aggiungo altro. Non so essere obiettiva nel giudicare un libro che tratta un argomento che mi appassiona così tanto. La mia opinione è un pendolo che oscilla invariabilmente tra l'urlo da fangirl e l'insopprimibile insoddisfazione di chi ormai si è creato aspettative troppo alte. Un'altalena di pensieri che preferisco tenere per me.
Manuela Santoni ha raccontato la tenacia e il talento di queste ragazze, la forza del loro legame, le difficoltà incontrate in un mondo di soli uomini, il rapporto con il fratello, il ricordo delle sorelle maggiori, la vita quotidiana e i piccoli bisticci. Qui dentro c'è tutto.
O quasi.
In effetti, mancano molti dettagli alla trama, e, per chi non conosce affatto la storia delle Brontë, la lettura potrebbe risultare incompleta. Per fortuna la postfazione arricchisce il libro di tutti quei dettagli significativi che sono stati omessi nel fumetto, rendendo l'insieme perfettamente fruibile e chiaro.
Non aggiungo altro. Non so essere obiettiva nel giudicare un libro che tratta un argomento che mi appassiona così tanto. La mia opinione è un pendolo che oscilla invariabilmente tra l'urlo da fangirl e l'insopprimibile insoddisfazione di chi ormai si è creato aspettative troppo alte. Un'altalena di pensieri che preferisco tenere per me.
August 10, 2021
Brontë by Manuela Santoni opens up the life of the Brontë sisters and the risks they took as they strove to live on their artistic talents.
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK
The author does a good job of reflecting the Brontë sisters' different personalities. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë all show different traits and perspectives to their work and family. The author also reveals the emotional turmoil the sisters went through while submitting their work to an industry that is full of men while caring little for women writers.
DISLIKES
I wish the book tells us more of what happened after the sisters found success via their artistic work.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Fans of the Brontës should not expect much, especially if they are already conversant with the sisters' background. However, this is a good introduction for those not familiar with them or their work.
Many thanks to Lerner Publishing Group for review copy.
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE BOOK
The author does a good job of reflecting the Brontë sisters' different personalities. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontë all show different traits and perspectives to their work and family. The author also reveals the emotional turmoil the sisters went through while submitting their work to an industry that is full of men while caring little for women writers.
DISLIKES
I wish the book tells us more of what happened after the sisters found success via their artistic work.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Fans of the Brontës should not expect much, especially if they are already conversant with the sisters' background. However, this is a good introduction for those not familiar with them or their work.
Many thanks to Lerner Publishing Group for review copy.
March 3, 2021
While we know why the Bronte sisters had to write under assumed male names, I'm not sure if we know the details of how they did so. Hard to believe that women weren't supposed to know how to write that well, but there it is.
This is an interesting overview, set as a graphic novel, of the thinking that went into selling their books, and making money to live off of.
This also brought into the story their low-life brother, who I was unaware of, but then I am not a scholar on the Brontes.
I enjoyed it, but was sad when I looked at how young they died.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
This is an interesting overview, set as a graphic novel, of the thinking that went into selling their books, and making money to live off of.
This also brought into the story their low-life brother, who I was unaware of, but then I am not a scholar on the Brontes.
I enjoyed it, but was sad when I looked at how young they died.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
October 3, 2021
Come non amare le sorelle Brontë? Praticamente impossibile 🖤 Questa graphic si sofferma soprattutto sulla loro decisione di pubblicare e sul difficile rapporto con il fratello Branwell. I diversi elementi biografici si fondono con scelte più romanzate (come avvenuto con la precedente opera di Manuela Santoni, "Jane Austen") producendo un'atmosfera realistica e il ritratto indelebile di tre grandi donne e scrittrici.
December 25, 2018
This is an enjoyable graphic novel about these three amazing writers and women.
The illuatrations were quite beautiful and the story was told in a simple and efficient way.
The illuatrations were quite beautiful and the story was told in a simple and efficient way.
May 30, 2021
Voy a comenzar esta reseña diciendo, que me hubiera encantado que me haya enamorado del libro pero penosamente no fue así.
"Brontë" por Manuela Santoni nos cuenta el inicio de, tal y como indica el título, las hermanas Brontë; que por si no saben quienes son capaz reconozcan sus libros, el libro más famoso de Emily es Cumbres Borrascosas, de Charlotte es Jane Eyre y de Anne es Agnes Grey. Además, en este libro se conoce un poco más de la historia de Branwell Brontë, su hermano.
Ahora bien, ¿por qué no me terminó de encantar? Porque creo que la historia tenía potencial pero no sé supo aprovechar. Me hubiera encantado que se cuente un poco más de la vida de las hermanas después de la publicación de sus novelas e incluso hubiera amado que al final, aparezca un apartado con el legado de las hermanas (como su historia fue perdurando a través del tiempo y como eso repercutió en la sociedad). Sin embargo, pude conocer un poco más quienes fueron los Brontës porque por ejemplo, yo no tenía conocimiento de que ellas tenían un hermano. Otra cosa que no me terminó de convencer fueron las ilustraciones.
Pese a todo esto, no me pareció una mala lectura, capaz un poco aburrida, pero me gustó bastante.
3/5
"Brontë" por Manuela Santoni nos cuenta el inicio de, tal y como indica el título, las hermanas Brontë; que por si no saben quienes son capaz reconozcan sus libros, el libro más famoso de Emily es Cumbres Borrascosas, de Charlotte es Jane Eyre y de Anne es Agnes Grey. Además, en este libro se conoce un poco más de la historia de Branwell Brontë, su hermano.
Ahora bien, ¿por qué no me terminó de encantar? Porque creo que la historia tenía potencial pero no sé supo aprovechar. Me hubiera encantado que se cuente un poco más de la vida de las hermanas después de la publicación de sus novelas e incluso hubiera amado que al final, aparezca un apartado con el legado de las hermanas (como su historia fue perdurando a través del tiempo y como eso repercutió en la sociedad). Sin embargo, pude conocer un poco más quienes fueron los Brontës porque por ejemplo, yo no tenía conocimiento de que ellas tenían un hermano. Otra cosa que no me terminó de convencer fueron las ilustraciones.
Pese a todo esto, no me pareció una mala lectura, capaz un poco aburrida, pero me gustó bastante.
3/5
February 29, 2020
Non conoscevo se non vagamente la storia delle sorelle Bronte.
Ho letto Cime tempestose di Emily, e Jane Eyre, di Charlotte, due scritti diversissimi che però hano un anima in comune che si capisce ancor di più leggendo la loro storia.
Già non era facile per i tempi in cui vivevano essere donne, poi, soprattutto non essere donne agiate ed essere costrette a lavorare, ma allo stesso tempo, rimanere sotto rigidi canoni.
Potevano essere istitutrici per mantenersi, ma la scrittura era cosa da uomini.
Se poi l'unico uomo su cui potevano contare, a parte il padre ormai vecchio e malato era il fraello che invece bellamente se ne fregava e continuava a vivere nei vizi, insomma era una vita davvero dura.
Con pochi tratti Manuela Santoni riesce a delineare le tre sorelle, i loro caratteri e le loro aspirazioni.
Molto bello.
Ho letto Cime tempestose di Emily, e Jane Eyre, di Charlotte, due scritti diversissimi che però hano un anima in comune che si capisce ancor di più leggendo la loro storia.
Già non era facile per i tempi in cui vivevano essere donne, poi, soprattutto non essere donne agiate ed essere costrette a lavorare, ma allo stesso tempo, rimanere sotto rigidi canoni.
Potevano essere istitutrici per mantenersi, ma la scrittura era cosa da uomini.
Se poi l'unico uomo su cui potevano contare, a parte il padre ormai vecchio e malato era il fraello che invece bellamente se ne fregava e continuava a vivere nei vizi, insomma era una vita davvero dura.
Con pochi tratti Manuela Santoni riesce a delineare le tre sorelle, i loro caratteri e le loro aspirazioni.
Molto bello.
May 31, 2021
A little awkward in places as it felt like you jump into the middle of the Bronte sisters story. And while moves logically, you need to know the background of the family to understand references (such as who was the professor that inspired the novel, The Professor). In the end, while it shows the lives of the Bronte family, there are missing pieces and ends up feeling like (what I assume) an episode of the Kardashians was like (the bickering between them, the drama behind the scenes and scandals). If you are looking for a true biography, this is not it, but if you are looking for an artistic take on the siblings and their lives, this is what you probably need.
March 11, 2021
Digital ARC provided by Netgalley
The books is a reconstruction of the biography of the famous sisters of the English literature - Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte - whose writing full of life and passion contrasts dramatically with the monotony of an existence centered mainly on disputes with their father and being their younger brother's nannies.
The drawings are faithful in respecting the historical truth and the atmosphere of the period and the black and white tone truly depicts the drama.
The books is a reconstruction of the biography of the famous sisters of the English literature - Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte - whose writing full of life and passion contrasts dramatically with the monotony of an existence centered mainly on disputes with their father and being their younger brother's nannies.
The drawings are faithful in respecting the historical truth and the atmosphere of the period and the black and white tone truly depicts the drama.
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