Selected Letters

by Charlotte Brontë, Margaret Smith (Editor), Janet Gezari

Full of acute observations, pithy character sketches, and passionate convictions, the letters of Charlotte Bronte are our most direct source of information about the lives of the Brontes and our closest approach to the author of Jane Eyre. In them Charlotte writes of life at Haworth Parsonage, her experiences at a Belgian school, and her intense feelings for the Belgian schoolteacher, M. Heger. She endures the agony of the death of her siblings, and enjoys the success as a writer that brings her into contact with the London literary scene. Vivid and intimate, her letters give fresh insight into the novels, and into the development of her distinct literary style. The only available edition, this selection is derived from Margaret Smith's three-volume edition of Bronte's complete letters.

In addition to Smith's Editor's Preface, the edition includes a critical introduction by Janet Gezari, who looks at the relationship between Bronte's letters and her fiction and how the letters add to the debate about her literary persona and the split between her public and her private life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Classics, Victorian, Biography Memoir, 19th Century, British Literature, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Charlotte Brontë was an English novelist, the eldest out of the three famous Brontë sisters whose novels have become standards of English literature. See also Emily Brontë and Anne Brontë.

Charlotte Brontë was born in Thornton, Yorkshire, England, the third of six children, to Patrick Brontë (formerly "Patrick Brunty"), an Irish Anglican clergyman, and his wife, Maria Branwell. In April 1820 the family moved a few miles to Haworth, a remote town on the Yorkshire moors, where Patrick had been appointed Perpetual Curate. This is where the Brontë children would spend most of their lives. Maria Branwell Brontë died from what was thought to be cancer on 15 September 1821, leaving five daughters and a son to the care of her spinster sister Elizabeth Branwell, who moved to Yorkshire to help the family.

In August 1824 Charlotte, along with her sisters Emily, Maria, and Elizabeth, was sent to the Clergy Daughters' School at Cowan Bridge in Lancashire, a new school for the daughters of poor clergyman (which she would describe as Lowood School in Jane Eyre). The school was a horrific experience for the girls and conditions were appalling. They were regularly deprived of food, beaten by teachers and humiliated for the slightest error. The school was unheated and the pupils slept two to a bed for warmth. Seven pupils died in a typhus epidemic that swept the school and all four of the Brontë girls became very ill - Maria and Elizabeth dying of tuberculosis in 1825. Her experiences at the school deeply affected Brontë - her health never recovered and she immortalised the cruel and brutal treatment in her novel, Jane Eyre. Following the tragedy, their father withdrew his daughters from the school.

At home in Haworth Parsonage, Charlotte and the other surviving children — Branwell, Emily, and Anne — continued their ad-hoc education. In 1826 her father returned home with a box of toy soldiers for Branwell. They would prove the catalyst for the sisters' extraordinary creative development as they immediately set to creating lives and characters for the soldiers, inventing a world for them which the siblings called 'Angria'. The siblings became addicted to writing, creating stories, poetry and plays. Brontë later said that the reason for this burst of creativity was that:

'We were wholly dependent on ourselves and each other, on books and study, for the enjoyments and occupations of life. The highest stimulus, as well as the liveliest pleasure we had known from childhood upwards, lay in attempts at literary composition.'

After her father began to suffer from a lung disorder, Charlotte was again sent to school to complete her education at Roe Head school in Mirfield from 1831 to 1832, where she met her lifelong friends and correspondents, Ellen Nussey and Mary Taylor. During this period (1833), she wrote her novella The Green Dwarf under the name of Wellesley. The school was extremely small with only ten pupils meaning the top floor was completely unused and believed to be supposedly haunted by the ghost of a young lady dressed in silk. This story fascinated Brontë and inspired the figure of Mrs Rochester in Jane Eyre.

Brontë left the school after a few years, however she swiftly returned in 1835 to take up a position as a teacher, and used her wages to pay for Emily and Anne to be taught at the school. Teaching did not appeal to Brontë and in 1838 she left Roe Head to become a governess to the Sidgewick family -- partly from a sense of adventure and a desire to see the world, and partly from financial necessity.

Charlotte became pregnant soon after her wedding, but her health declined rapidly and, according to biographer Elizabeth Gaskell, she was attacked by "sensations of perpetual nausea and ever-recurring faintness." She died, with her unborn child, on 31 March 1855.

Reviews

[Tom Reads Things · Rating 5 out of 5]

No words I write here can do justice to the pain, determination and intelligence captured in these letters. Not to mention their historical value.

[cecilia ☕︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

it often feels weird to rate nonfiction books (and also rather intrusive to read personal correspondence for that matter) but I just loved this so much. it made me feel so close to charlotte in particular, but also to emily and anne. of course it was heartbreaking at some points but still an absolute must-read if you’re a fellow brontës fan ♡

[LE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings throughout reading this: Sadness, guilt, anger, empathy. If you cried a lot when Helen died in Jane Eyre, then you will definitely cry when you get a peek at the sufferings of Charlotte Bronte’s actual life. I couldn’t read it chronologically because it was truly heart-rending, especially nearing the latter part of her life.

I felt so guilty invading the privacy of her letters. They were never meant to be seen by anyone, apart from to whom they were originally written, and it is plainly obvious throughout; “I don’t think I have said anything rash – however you must burn it when read.” - CB. I would have put the book down immediately if I wasn’t already absorbed with acute curiosity *guilty look*.

Mainly, though, I had an overpowering anger towards Charlotte’s so-called friend, Ellen Nussey, who sold the letters as soon as Charlotte died (Even though CB had asked her to destroy them on several occasions - “Dear Ellen, Arthur [CB’s husband] complains that you do not distinctly promise to burn my letters as you receive them. He says you must give him a plain pledge to that effect – or he will read every line I write and elect himself censor of our correspondence.”)

It is evident that her novels echo parts of her real life and I think that is why her writing is so popular, even to this day. She writes from the heart, with true and honest feeling. Reading these letters has made me appreciate her narratives even more (if possible) – and although her life was sadly cut short - her legacy will live on forever.

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Brontë's letters give more of a domestic point of view into her and her family's life. The collection includes letters to her friends, publishers but also later on to other authors. Highlights of this collection were definitely her letters to her school friend Ellen Nussey. I loved how close their kept through letters and long visits even though the traveling was weary for Brontë. One of the most heartbreaking moments were seeing her siblings die one by one. I can't imagine how lonely Charlotte felt, only having her father alive and Emily, Anne and Branwell dead. I'm very pleased that I got through this collection in small chunks - it almost felt like corresponding with Charlotte, one of my favourite authors of Victorian era.

[Alisha Trenalone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent condensed version of Margaret Smith's momentous three-volume set of Charlotte Bronte's letters.
This selection of letters from throughout Charlotte's life is well annotated and a satisfying deep-ish dive into her life and acquaintances.

[Maan Kawas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An invaluable addition to any Brontë collection. Charlotte's gorgeous, harrowing, and at times hilarious letters offer immense insight into her life, works, and innermost thoughts. I'll definitely be returning to this book, and keeping it close by as a companion.

[Salome G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

•”Who ever rose in the world without ambition?”
•”I think Emily seems the nearest thing to my heart in this world “🥹
•”Emily works like a horse and she has had great difficulties”
•” How I laugh in my sleeve when I read the solemn assertions that “Jane Eyre” was written in partnership,and that is “bears the marks of more than one mind,and one sex”
•”Mr.Rochester has a thoughtful nature and a very feeling heart..his nature is like wine of a good vintage,time cannot sour-but only mellows him.
•To Constantin Heger: “ It would be too sad to see you and not to be able to speak to you… I love French for your sake with all my heart and soul” 🤍 (1845)
•About Arthur Bell Nicholl: ”As to my husband-my heart is knit to him-he is so tender,so good,helpful,patient” (1855)

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

siste boka lese på ein togtur til skulen i 2017

[Rachel Maria Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only improvement could be selecting more letters.

[Azal Basbous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gifted to me by my English teacher after we studied Jane Eyre in class and visited the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth. I think that trip really changed how I feel about Brontë. Now that I’ve seen her home, walked through her village, and read her letters, I can actually imagine her writing. Sitting at her desk, pen in hand…

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting her to have a sense of humor or to sound so real and relatable.

Her friendship with Ellen Nussey is really sweet. She calls her “Nell” and tells her everything, like we would today with a close friend. She talks about growing older and turning thirty: “What have I done these last thirty years? Precious little.” I feel like everyone confronts that reality, especially today.

Sometimes she talks about her father losing his eyesight; just like Rochester at the end of Jane Eyre?

Other letters are more touching. She writes about her siblings, especially Branwell. There are details about his addiction to alcohol and opium, and she even describes when he dies. Then comes Emily, then Anne… You can see the fear of losing another sibling and her sadness: “When I hear Anne cough as Emily coughed, I tremble.”

But there are nice parts too. She tells Ellen about meeting her future husband, like you would text your best friend about a crush. Over time, she starts signing her letters CB Nicholls…

In one of her last letters, she’s sick, coughing blood, and she knows what’s coming. She writes “I find in my husband the tenderest nurse.” It instantly reminded me of Jane Eyre when she tells Rochester, “I will be your neighbour, your nurse, your housekeeper: you shall not be left desolate as long as I live.”

Reading these letters reminded me that behind the novels, there was a woman. A human being who lived, loved and suffered… It made her so much more real to me.

[misery loves company · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into the Romantic language used even in day to day life during the Victorian Period. Charlotte Bronte was evidently erudite and her vivid language used even for quotidian letters and banal banter was ornate and floral.

It gave me insight into her thought process and authorial intentions for conceiving Jane Eyre and Villette, and the discriminatory challenges at two very different times of her life, exploring misogyny in the Victorian era and her raw remonstrance for mere equality, as well as offering a view into her hidden passions, grief and rage that fuelled her writing and Romanticism.

Her complex and at time immoral relationships with her professor were interesting to read and were intriguing, showcasing the morality and culture of society at the time. It was interesting to learn how her high school teacher which she had fallen in love with, Constantin Héger, was the inspiration for both Mr Rochester and Dr John Bretton.

Sad and melancholy towards the last few letters, I wished they ended it with her last letter without adding her husband's letter informing her friends of her passing to evoke an even more eerie chill to conclude the collection.

[Eliza Clara Hemming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this wonderful collection. It’s a raw, honest, frequently amusing and often heartbreaking collection of letters from Charlotte’s later years. It is such an interesting insight into her life and her emotions, dealing with depression, loss, friendship and estrangement, and, tragically, her own illness which took her life.

I was particularly fascinated and surprised by her letters to Mr Heger, her former teacher for whom she developed a particular obsession (for want of a better word) with. I think we can all relate, at some point in our lives, to desiring a mutual affection from someone that will never reciprocate those feelings. As much as I wanted to shake her, to tell her to let this married man go, to preserve her dignity, I couldn’t help but sympathise.

On a more amusing note, the drama of her future-husband’s initial proposal and her father’s hostile reaction was like something out of a 19th century comedy. I found myself wondering how they ever came to wed!

This is an invaluable assortment of correspondences, and a beautiful addition to my Brontë bookshelf.

[Matthew Gurteen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Brontë's, then I would absolutely recommend this collection of Charlotte's letters. Not only does it provide a unique insight into the author of Jane Eyre herself but also the rapidly changing work she inhibited. The changes brought by the railway, postal services, and literary production are as interesting as reading about Charlotte's life. The only reason I have given it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I question the inclusion and exclusion of some of the letters. As the title says, the letters in this edition are selected, and I felt like I would have liked to see at least a few examples of the more tedious parts of her letters, such as her discussing with George Smith about finances.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. This was special, heartbreaking, endearing. This is a book I will treasure.

[Novelle Novels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is both amazing, informative and emotional.. I loved it so much and although I cried I loved seeing different sides to Charlotte bronte..

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Oxford edition is wonderful of CB’s Letters! However, I’m completely certain Charlotte would be upset that many of her letters were published. A pleasure nonetheless.

[Amanda mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really interesting collection of letters. It was interesting to learn about the process of getting the sisters' works published and the pseudonyms, but I especially enjoyed the letters from Charlotte to her friend Ellen concerning her thoughts on the role of women, her relationship with Arthur and the declining health of her family members. For Bronte fans, it's definitely worth reading.

[Naomi Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful. I laughed, I cried, I went through the five stages of grief. I just love learning more and more about Charlotte’s life.

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very odd to be writing anything about this, because in many ways, I feel completely unjustified passing any kind of judgement upon it at all. It sounds silly, because they're letters, so of course they're personal, but there are really some intensely private pieces collected in here that I honestly felt very uncomfortable reading. I felt like I was intruding and poking my nose into something I shouldn't be seeing and that I was violating someone else's privacy. And privacy where it really mattered, as well.

(As a sidenote, this correspondence is really illuminating in historical terms; they're written in an incredibly different style from the kind of epistles we see included in Victorian novels. Depending on who they're addressed to, Charlotte's style can be variously colloquial, disjointed, earnest, affectionate and informal. It's kind of amazing to think, wow, these are real letters that were sent and composed and received).

A part of me feels uncomfortable with the fact that these letters are so easy to get hold of? They're of invaluable use to scholars and researchers and undergrads like me writing dissertations because they're the closest and most accurate insight we have into the lives of the reclusive Bronte's, but...I also feel like there are some letters that really oughn't to be looked at in any academic capacity whatsoever. For instance, here is a passage that genuinely made me tear up, about Charlotte's inability to look at the landscape around her in the same way after Anne and Emily's death:

I am free to walk on the moors – but when I go out there alone – everything reminds me of others when when others were with me and then the moors seem a wilderness, featureless, solitary, saddening – My sister Emily had a particular love of them, and there is not a knoll of heather, nor a branch of fern, not a young bilberry leaf not a fluttering lark or a linnet but reminds me of her. The distant prospects were Anne’s delight, and when I look around, she is in the blue tints, the pale mists, the waves and shadows of the horizon. In the hill-country silence their poetry comes by lines and stanzas to my mind: once I loved it – now I dare not read it.

It's just heartbreaking to read. And I suppose, for me, it ties in too uncomfortably with this abounding fascination of the personal biographies of the Bronte's -- this sense that you can trace their lives so faithfully in their books -- that people have tried to uncover and unturn every tiny trivial detail of their day-to-day lives. Not even the handkerchief that Anne held to her mouth to cover her coughs, stained with her blood as she died from TB, is exempt from the public's prying eyes in the parsonage museum. I suppose I just feel like we should give them the respect they're due and let them rest in peace. Especially because it seems that the more we discover about their lives the more tragic they seem, the closer that narrative superimposed over their novels; the more people are inclined to pity them, seeing their lives as confined, miserable, unfulfilled, wasted, or seeing their books as mere exercises wish-fulfillment (coughcharlottecough). We really need to discourage this narrative that so effectively reduces their work down to diluted reflections or fantasies of themselves, rather than works of real literary merit, and even pure creative genius.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great overview of Charlotte's life through her letters. I loved that there were footnotes after each letter (instead of having to turn to the back) and those footnotes were very helpful. Reading this book gave me a new insight into what Charlotte might have been like, and has made me think about her novels in a new light. Especially in how so many of her characters are based on people she knew.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The desire to start letter writing is overwhelming!
The similarities between Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre are greater than I realised. It was great reading about the novels I was less familiar with as well as the trials and tribulations the Bronte sisters faced in getting published. An emotional read, it will be interesting to re read Jane Eyre with the added insight into the author and the tragedies that befell the Bronte family.

[Michaela Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading personal correspondence

[Cheryl Callahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love my favorite authors even more than the books they write. Charlotte is no exception. Her short life, as seen through her personal letters, is its own best love story.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really wrong - it should be Selected Letters of Charlotte Brontë, edited by Margaret Smith. Fixed thanks to the lovely Elizabeth!

[Sanjukta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird to rate a book which is just a collection of letters. But each of these brought me a step closer to understanding and seeing the inner thoughts of my favourite author so I loved it :D

[Sobriquet]

I think that Charlotte Bronte would be turning in her grave if she knew that her letters were published. It's such a violation of privacy to be reading them, not that it stopped me. Letters that were actually written and sent read very differently from the those published in novels;( I'm thinking of Trollope's fictional letters; those now feel too stylized and neatly layed out). Knowing that these letters are real makes them poignant and touching however having only one half of a correspondence feels disjointed and confusing as I have to infer from the letter what has passed before. I can't really give a rating to this, it would feel very unjust to 'rate' her personal letters, although I will note that there were times when I really wished C.B would give her Thackeray worship a rest!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hauntingly beautiful; heartbreaking.