I am nearing the end of Charlotte’s *Shirley,* and I am, as always, impressed with her wisdom and her knowledge of humanity. What a brilliant person Charlotte Bronte was!
Amy, I agree. I think Charlotte was a genius. I read Shirley a few months ago and thought it was a bit long and drawn out. Also I felt like she wrote in a lighter voice towards the beginning then changed to another. Did you sense that? Apparently her sister, Anne, died while she was writing Shirley. Maybe that’s what I hear in the change of voice. Have you read Villette? It’s wonderful! Thanks for the comment!
Hi Mary! I finished Shirley yesterday, and I was sad to see it go. I like those long books (I even tackled War and Peace once, and enjoyed it!). As for voice, I think you’re right. She starts out making fun of those curates, but by the end even the curates are well-grounded into the seriousness of the story. I think I read that Charlotte intended for Caroline to die, but decided not to, perhaps because her character is based on Anne Bronte, who did die. Can you imagine the book with a dead Caroline? I think Shirley would have accepted Robert’s proposal, and it would have ended tragically.
I am now reading The Professor, which is shorter, and I must read Villette sometime, too:)
Let me know how you like The Professor. It’s on my reading list. I’m just finishing The Mysteries of Udolpho and then hope to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey. Happy reading!
Mary C. M. Phillips 
I am nearing the end of Charlotte’s *Shirley,* and I am, as always, impressed with her wisdom and her knowledge of humanity. What a brilliant person Charlotte Bronte was!
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Amy, I agree. I think Charlotte was a genius. I read Shirley a few months ago and thought it was a bit long and drawn out. Also I felt like she wrote in a lighter voice towards the beginning then changed to another. Did you sense that? Apparently her sister, Anne, died while she was writing Shirley. Maybe that’s what I hear in the change of voice. Have you read Villette? It’s wonderful! Thanks for the comment!
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Hi Mary! I finished Shirley yesterday, and I was sad to see it go. I like those long books (I even tackled War and Peace once, and enjoyed it!). As for voice, I think you’re right. She starts out making fun of those curates, but by the end even the curates are well-grounded into the seriousness of the story. I think I read that Charlotte intended for Caroline to die, but decided not to, perhaps because her character is based on Anne Bronte, who did die. Can you imagine the book with a dead Caroline? I think Shirley would have accepted Robert’s proposal, and it would have ended tragically.
I am now reading The Professor, which is shorter, and I must read Villette sometime, too:)
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I think you’re right. 🙂
Let me know how you like The Professor. It’s on my reading list. I’m just finishing The Mysteries of Udolpho and then hope to read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Agnes Grey. Happy reading!
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Thank you for this Quote of the Day. It made me smile through my tears! I am happy to find someone who also loves the Bronte Sisters. Norm
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Thanks Norm. I’m especially fond of Charlotte. 🙂
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