I went looking for an audio book to pass the time on our long drive up north, but, found Ann Dinsdale’s The Brontes at Haworth instead. A weekend away with our up north family and a side trip to the Yorkshire Moors and home of one of English literature’s most enduring writers all at the same time. What more could a girl ask for on such short notice? (Well, some Kezzie time, of course, but, that’s for another post).
This well-appointed book is chock full of Simon Warner’s photographs of the Haworth Parsonage, where Charlotte, Emily, and Anne lived and wrote Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and The Tenant of Wildfield Hall, and the general environs of Haworth. There are also within the book photos of the rooms the Brontes lived and worked in, personal items, diaries, and artwork done by the sisters and their only brother, Branwell. A feast for the eyes.
The text; ah, the text is rich in history of the Bronte family, the sadness that plagued them in the illnesses and deaths of their mother, Maria, and of the siblings at early ages. This is not a tome on the Brontes, but, an overview of their lives and legacies. Not quite a coffee table book, more a biography, it is only 160 pages, which include a wonderful chronology of the family and works, and chapters on Bronte biographers and history of the Haworth Parsonage.
I am still devouring The Brontes at Haworth. I get caught in the pictures and go back for another look, sometimes with magnifying glass in hand, the better to see what is on the old desk or bookshelves, and suddenly an hour has passed in my bookish wandering. There is a chapter on Mrs. Gaskell, the noted friend and biographer of Charlotte Bronte that I need to read. I’ve become fascinated by Elizabeth Gaskell ever since the airing of Cranford on PBS. Gaskell is the author of Cranford, as well as North and South and a good many other literary pieces. She was a contemporary of Charles Dickens and her works often appeared in serialized form in his publishings.
It is so exciting to be able to continue to learn something new. I think I will keep The Brontes of Haworth until its due date, but, I promise to return it to the library then, so someone else can enjoy its beauty. Someone like you.
Sounds like an interesting story. Was Dad able to stomach a book on tape ? hehe. Welcome home.
LikeLike
It is. This was the actual book. I think Dad might have left me on a dairy farm in Wisconsin if this had been on audio. We DID listen to “The Art of Racing in the Rain” on the way back, however, and he is liking it. I need to take it out of the car so he can listen to the last few chapters up in the barn.
Thanks. It is good to be home.
LikeLike
I love books that feel like they’re taking you on a holiday to a foreign land! This sounds like a keeper – will you look for it on Amazon or have you had your fill?
LikeLike
Oh, that’s a wonderful way of putting this, Janet. I haven’t yet had my fill, but, I think I’ll settle for the library book right now. I did take a peek on Amazon and it can be had for a reasonable amount, but, I think I’ll hold back for now, though it is really a beautiful book.
LikeLike
Sounds like a fascinating book. I love to discover the back stories behind the story. Don’t you? It makes the fiction deeper somehow. I don’t know how to describe it.
LikeLike
It does give the back story, Janet. Charlotte and her sisters were in a girls church school as youngsters that was somewhat akin to the Jane Eyre’s. Their father was their main teacher, however, and the Moors where Haworth plays a big part in their novels. I agree. It does make the fiction deeper – a perfect way to describe it. Even deeper yet would be to visit – like your trip(s) to Prince Edward Island.
LikeLike
Got a bit squeaky and excited reading this, Penny. The Brontes are a passion we share, I think 🙂 It’s on my reading list…thank you…
LikeLike
You are welcome, Kate. I think you would enjoy the insight it brings to the Brontes, and, yes, it is a passion we share. Someday, I would love to go to Howarth and your Yorkshire. Until then, I’ll take my trips in such wonderful books as this one is.
LikeLike
What wonderful writers they all were – and what drama there was in their lives. It sounds like a gem of a book.
LikeLike
They were pretty amazing to have have endeared themselves and their work for so long, and among so much tragedy in their lives. It is a gem, Juliet, and I came across it quite by accident. I think it was just waiting for me to find it last week.
LikeLike
What an awesome way to spend your time while traveling.
The book sounds wonderful – a perfect way to get lost in the pages.
Mrs. M.
LikeLike
I love listening to audio books when on a long drive. What we actually listened to was The Art of Racing in the Rain, which is a wonderful story. This book about the Brontes was a treasured find at the library.
LikeLike
Oops, I misread.Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
[…] and we headed up north. Though Olive Kitteredge came with me, so did that beautiful book on the Brontes, and, well, yesterday had me furiously finishing Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout for our […]
LikeLike
Hi, I listened to your talk about Ann Bronte on Saturday at the Midland Hotel, and I remember that you suggested that Ann may have written her poem ” A Reminiscence” in remembrance of William Weightman. Is there any evidence to suggest this? I only ask as when re-reading this poem in The Brontes (1997) p.82-3 I notice that the author is sceptical of this claim. Thus I thought I would contact you as this is like a mystery that I am exploring further! Thanks. Melissa.
LikeLike
Hi Melissa. Thank you for commenting here. While I loved this book and wrote about it, I think you are probably looking for someone other than me. I wonder if it was the author, Ann Dinsdale that you heard speak at the Midland Hotel. Good luck. Penny
LikeLike
Hi, Many thanks for your help here. 🙂
LikeLike
You are quite welcome.
LikeLike