Victorians! discussion

I thought I'd start a thread for the Brontes - all together rather than individual as one sister usually leads to discussion of another anyway.

I went to the Bronte Parsonage this morning for the first time (and I only live an hours drive away - shame on me!). It is amazing! Each room had info about what went on in there etc. I saw the room that the sisters and Branwell used to write in and make up their stories. Also, in the same room was the sofa that Emily died on (she wouldn't go to bed because she refused to believe that she was ill, even at the end). There were shoes and gloves and a dress worn by Charlotte (all tiny!) and a baby bonnet made for her by her old teacher when she was pregnant just before she died. There were also the costumes on display for the upcoming BBC series of Wuthering Heights that comes out in the autumn. Then at the end there was an exhibition about Branwell called Sex, Drugs and Literature which had his stories and artwork on display. I also learned that Charlotte had wanted to be an artist before she became an author and there were a lot of her drawings on the walls (she was very good too). There was also a letter to Charlotte from Elizabeth Gaskell on display as well as necklaces and Charlotte's wedding bonnet and veil and a lock of hair. There wasn't much evidence of Anne other than a few necklaces.

The village of Hawarth is beautiful. It is on a hill in the Yorkshire moors and the main street is cobbled and very steep. I had a coffee in a little cafe called Villette and watched the world go by - it was lovely and so easy to see what inspired those girls in their books. The scenery is beautiful.

I am so annoyed that I forgot my camera otherwise I would have posted photos on here (sorry). I bought some books about the Brontes and a Jane Eyre mug and also some postcards from the Parsonage (to send to Sherien and Ayu when I send my Letters by Charlotte Bronte book to Indonesia ☺)

I absolutley ♥ed it!!!

As I think you can guess, I'm totally jealous. I'm glad, by the sounds of it, it hasn't become artificial in response to its popularity with tourists.

I didn't know there was a Wuthering Heights adaptation coming. Let it be accurate this time! Who're playing Heathcliff/Cathy?

- Lauren

OH Boof! I'm so jealous! I so wanna go there!!! And Boof, thank you so much for the post cards. U are trully a sweatheart! Dont worry about your book, I'll definately take good care of it and send it back to you as soon as I and Ayu finish reading it! thanks again!

Boof wrote: "I thought I'd start a thread for the Brontes - all together rather than individual as one sister usually leads to discussion of another anyway.

I went to the Bronte Parsonage this morning for th..."

Oh, Boof, my friend, I am so jealous, and yet so glad that you had such a marvelous experience visiting the Bronte house. It is definitely on my list to visit on my next visit to Britain! You'll always think of your visit everytime you pick up one of their novels or read one of their poems! Cheers! Chris

I remember my first introduction to the Brontes was a book I read when I was about ten or eleven.

It was a children's novel about their toy soldiers; I think it won the British equivalent of the Newberry in the early sixties.

Lauren wrote: "As I think you can guess, I'm totally jealous. I'm glad, by the sounds of it, it hasn't become artificial in response to its popularity with tourists.

I didn't know there was a Wuthering Height..."

Lauren, I hadn't heard of the actors before - I can remember that Tom Hardy is playing Herathcliffe ('cos I thought it was funny that he is named for another famous victorian author). I hope it is better than that godwaful thing with Juliette Binoche!

Susanna wrote: "I remember my first introduction to the Brontes was a book I read when I was about ten or eleven.

It was a children's novel about their toy soldiers; I think it won the British equivalent of the N..."

Susanna, was it The Twelves or something like that? I have been wanting to get that book but never got round to it.

Yes, that was something like the title. I really enjoyed it.

@Boof thank you so much for the postcard! You're love :D

Glad you had such an amazing trip :)

I was in Haworth during my honeymoon several decades ago. We wandered for miles across the moor toward Top Withens, the supposed model for Wuthering Heights. I expected such a "famous" place to have touristy things about - gift shop, restaurant, etc. - but It was incredibly remote, which was amazing and delightful. We passed only sheep en route. How easy it was to imagine Heathcliff and Cathy on the moor. I put such a scene into my latest novel. Here's a photo I found, so I expect that the moor hasn't changed that much in the last thirty-some years. http://www.haworth-village.org.uk/nat...

Gabriele wrote: "I was in Haworth during my honeymoon several decades ago. We wandered for miles across the moor toward Top Withens, the supposed model for Wuthering Heights. I expected such a "famous" place to hav..."

I really enjoyed the photograph, it was simply beautiful! What remote amazing country! Thanks for sharing! Cheers! Chris

Judging by your fabulous photos, Chris, you also obviously enjoy the beauty of remote areas! You'll just have to take your camera to Bronte Country sometime. :)

Gabriele wrote: "Judging by your fabulous photos, Chris, you also obviously enjoy the beauty of remote areas! You'll just have to take your camera to Bronte Country sometime. :)"

Thank you, Gabriele, for that wonderful compliment! You can rest assured that at some point in the next year or so that I will make my way across the pond and spend some time photographing these beautiful areas. My daughter and I do plan on doing a 'great authors of Britain' tour. Cheers! Chris

What fun! I think I've mentioned before that we did a literary pilgrimage on our honeymoon. So as well as Yorkshire, we toured Thomas Hardy's Wessex and Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall. On another trip we were in the Lake District, staying just a stone's throw from Wordsworth's Dove Cottage at Grasmere. That's another place where you can wander the magnificent hills and meet only sheep. Oh, how I long to go back to Britain again!!!

That photo was gorgeous, Gabriele. All this scenery is practically on my doorstep and I just love it. I think that is possibly why I love the Brontes so much - it's so wild and barron and beautiful and remote (my perfect place).

Chris, how fantastic that you and your daughter plan to do that trip! It sounds amazing. Let me know when you come over and I'll pop over to Hawarth to meet you if you like? It's always fun to meet like-minded people. Also, if you want any info about where to go author-wise or what is near what etc I'm more than happy to help ☺

Boof wrote: "That photo was gorgeous, Gabriele. All this scenery is practically on my doorstep and I just love it. I think that is possibly why I love the Brontes so much - it's so wild and barron and beautiful..."

Thank you ever so much, Boof! My oldest daughter is finishing up her Ph.D. in English in Spring 2010, so I have been planning this trip as a graduation present. You can count on us meeting you at Haworth! I think that Gabriele's list, above, is exactly what we had in mind! I can't wait! Cheers! Chris

Lucky you, Boof! Being there enhances the enjoyment of the books and gives a deeper connection to the the author, I find. Taxing my aged memory somewhat, I do believe that we ate in a pub in Haworth that had been frequented by Branwell Bronte, whose biography (by Daphne du Maurier)I had already read by then.

Gabriele wrote: "I was in Haworth during my honeymoon several decades ago. We wandered for miles across the moor toward Top Withens, the supposed model for Wuthering Heights. I expected such a "famous" place to hav..."

Oh, that's a wonderful photo! How far is Haworth from London?

Is it far from James Herriot's Yorkshire Dales?

Sandy, it's practically the same place - the moors and the dales run into each other. It's about 2 and a half hours on the train or a 4-5 hour car journey from London.

Boof wrote: "Sandy, it's practically the same place - the moors and the dales run into each other. It's about 2 and a half hours on the train or a 4-5 hour car journey. "

I have no idea. Somehow I always think of them as two separate places, though both in Yorkshire. I've never been to the north of England, though I've been to London a couple of times. Oh, and to Oxford, the Cotswolds, Dover and Blenheim Palace, too.

Boof, you're so lucky to live so near to such beautiful nature! Indonesia is beautiful too, but if you live in Jakarta as I do, you have to drive for a couple of hours to see nature. :(

Gabriele wrote: "I was in Haworth during my honeymoon several decades ago. We wandered for miles across the moor toward Top Withens, the supposed model for Wuthering Heights. I expected such a "famous" place to hav..."

Oh wow! Thanks for sharing Gabriele! I have a clearer picture of the scene in Wuthering Heights in my mind now ;o) how beautiful...

I came across this book, to be released next month. I happen to be a du Maurier fan as well as a fan of the Brontes, so I am curious about this mystery, although the review is not favourable. Isn't it odd that I had just mentioned du Maurier's biography of Branwell? http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Daph...

Thanks for that Gabriele. That book was released a few months ago in the UK (the author is a British journalist, I believe). I have picked it up a few times and put it back but it is one I would like to read at some point.

I picked up a copy of Du Mauriers book about Branwell at the parsonage on Thursday and I'm looking forward to reading that.

Let us know what you think if you read Daphne .

Saw this webpage earlier this week and giggled: http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php... . It's called "Dude Watching With the Brontes."

Thanks for passing along the giggle, Susanna!

I was snorting as I read it!

Kind of makes you stop and realize that they were real people, not just these icons that we revere. Ah, sisters!

i love them

I was at our library today. A new book available called Emily's Ghost by an anthor with the last name of Giardina, underneath it said a story of the Bronte's Sisters. I didn't get the first name because the sticker was over it and it was inside a glass case. If anyone has read it let me know how it was to read.

That looks really interesting, Rebecca. I found it on here: Emily's Ghost A Novel of the Brontë Sisters - Denise Giardina. It's only out in hardback in the UK so I will wait until it's out in paperback but I'm interested to hear if anyone else reads it.

I agree that it sounds interesting, and will look forward to reviews. I expect it will take longer to come to Canada. : )

Unfortunately Wuthering Heights is being made by ITV and they're not great at the classics (unlike BBC). I've seen Tom Hardy in a fewthings and he's quite a good actor buthe's not dark and brooding enough for Heathcliff - will still watch it and complain probably!!

I've seen the WH promo ad. Looks awful - cheap, unauthentic. No doubt it will be in ITV usual style: rushed and with loose ends. Still, I caught a glimse of Andrew Lincoln so will probably watch.

I'll be watching tomorrow night, Lauren, too. It surely can't be worse that that godawful thing with Juliette Binoche in it!! Sarah Lancashire is in this version too and I really like her acting and, as you say, Andrew Linclon is always worth a look!

Actually, I quite liked that version, inaccurate and silly as it was :*D -- but tbh I couldn't finish the book so my judgement isn't that valid.

Actually, I quite liked that version, unfaithful and silly as it was :*D -- but tbh I couldn't finish the book so my judgement isn't that valid.

I've never been to Yorkshire (wish I had been), but I've know Thomas Hardy country well and also Daphne du Maurier's Cornwall. I love Dorset (Wessex), and think it's beautiful. But I'd love to see the wildness of the moors some day.

I have a DVD of WUTHERING HEIGHTS that I don't particularly like. It end when the first Catherine dies. It stars Timothy Dalton, who does make a good Heathcliff and Anna Calder-Marshall, who looks something like I picture Catherine, but I didn't enjoy her performance at all. On the whole, don't like it. I don't think anything but a miniseries could do the book justice, though, and maybe not even that.

I really should have the Merle Oberon/Lawrence Olivier DVD since I love classic movies.

Isn't Cornwall beautiful, Gabrielle? I worked down there in 1992 for 6 months. To be fair I was young and spent most of my free time partying (which was the law back then but even the mere thought now exhausts me!) but on my days off I always made sure I went somewhere and I just loved it; it's such a stunning place. It's somewhere I really should go back to soon.

Cornwall is one of my favourite places to visit as well, although it's changed since the first time I was there in the 70s. More motorways, one running right beside Jamaica Inn, which was wonderfully, broodingly isolated when I was first there, but has become a highway cafeteria stop since then! Imagine a motorway next to Wuthering Heights and you'll understand what I mean.

Oy.

Which is pretty much my reaction to the news that they're building a Walmart next to the site of The Battle of the Wilderness. (US Civil War site, in Virginia.)

I thought Cornwall was gorgeous, but I loved Hardy's Dorset a little more. It's a gentler landscape and that is more to my liking, though I love both. I love the little villages with the cobbled streets, the tea shops with the quaint names, the rhododendrons, the sheep grazing on hillsides. I miss England! I'd love to go back soon, but doubt that I will. My husband is French, so we go to France.

Well, I watched Wutherin Heights. I can't say it won me over, but was definitely better than I expected. No Mr Lockwood, though? And beginning at the end? Why are they never faithful!? Also, I think they changed the dates, made it Victorian rather than what I suppose was Georgian. According to Cathy's gravestone she died in 1830, but I'm sure the novel ends at the end of the eighteenth century? Hmm.

Andrew Lincoln was positively delicious though. But they made him too likeable for Linton.

I just watched Wuthering Heights now (I recorded it from last week) and I LOVED it! Much better than the other adaptations I have seen of it. Yes, they messed with the order of things a bit but I didn't think that detracted from the plot in any way. I thought Tom Hardy was fantastic as Heathcliffe and I prefered this Cathy Earnshaw a million times to Juliette Binoche. I'm not sure about the dates though, Lauren, as I haven't read the book (the other adaptations have always put me off) but I will be rectifying this pretty soon. I can't wait to read it now.

Woohoo! A new adaptation of Wiuthering Heights, hopefully coming to Canada soon!

Boof, I've always thought that November was the perfect time to read Wuthering Heights, since it is such a bleak time of year. In fact, every November I think about that book.

Juliette Binoche doesn't have the wild quality to play a good Catherine, IMO. Sure, she's gorgeous, and she was great in THE ENGLISH PATIENT, CHOCOLAT, and so many more, but just not right for Catherine Earnshaw.

@Gabrielle I agree with you about Juliette Binoche :) I dunno why, but when watching her acting, it is just not right.

I agree, she really irritated me all the way through it. She just laughs, but not in a wild way, in a mental case way.

Got to disagree when it comes to the actress playing Cathy! I didn't think she was selfish or wild enough. I also could not really believe in the passion between Heathcliff(e?) and Cathy - I don't think they displayed enough evidence of it.

The music was stunning, though!

Watched ITV's offering of Wuthering Heights last night, I thought Tom Hardy was good (seen him in other things and didn't originally see him as Heathcliff but I was very was surprised) - the rest of it though well sorry but it wasn't great was it? I can't say I was disappointed tho because it was ITV after all and they don't adapt classics very well. About time BBC did Wuthering Heights again. Does anyone know if BBC are adapting another Dickens this year?

Oh, I appear to be the only one who really liked this adaptation. Mind you, if it whets other peoples appetite for reading the book too then that can only be a good thing, right?

I would think that the BBC are due another classic soon although they did Little Dorrit last year and Bleak House was about 3 year before that so they could well have another gap. Maybe they will do something else? Recent TV adaptations in the UK have been Tess of the D'Urbervilles (I think that was ITV too but I loved it), Jane Eyre . I wish someone would adapt Lady Audley's Secret - how much fun would that be?