Well, Hi there! I am reading Agnes Grey at the moment and i really can`t stand this self-righteous crap. 70 pages to go and i am suffering. But i love cats! So i guess, both is possible ;-) Greetings
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 Why poor Agnes? Agnes in her own state of mind and truely beliefs that she is the one good lamb among lost souls. She doesnt need my help, she needs an appointment with Mr. Freud.
@@KainUndAbelBooks brilliant reaction! I know what you mean but I am so conscious of the limited options faced by that class of Victorian women to earn a living respectably and the invidious position of the governess fitting neither with the servants nor the family.
Don’t be sad you have read both her novels, because there is the most wonderful and wholesome biography of Anne out there: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life by Samantha Ellis. I loved Agnes Grey too, for the same reasons you have mentioned. Every time I read about a character in a Victorian novel that treats an animal badly, I think of this book and how clever she used that behavior. Great review! 🙂📖
I love this book! I read it earlier this year and really connected with Agnes. I can also totally understand why people wouldn’t love it but it really worked for me. It has solidified my opinion that Anne is my favorite of the Brontës.
This does sound up my alley. I haven’t read Anne Bronte yet. I read Shirley during Victober, and it has a much more grounded, everyday life quality to it as well. Perhaps more sociopolitical, but still small and quiet. I loved it. Do you have a recommendation for which Anne Bronte novel to read first?
I generally prefer to start with the best an author has to offer, so I would recommend Tenant, but maybe look at reviews for that first and see if it appeals to you
I loved how accurate education was in Agnes Grey. I remember reading it on audio while at work with toddlers and thinking “Yup. That is how some people are.” It is quiet, subtle and incredible book if you are the right person.
It sounds like it's a "simple" book in the same way that Mad Men is a "simple" tv show. Mad Men has been described as "just people in rooms having conversions", which, most of the time, it is. It's also one of the most deeply complex stories and series of delicate and subtle character portraits I've ever experienced. It's one of the few tv shows I'd describe as truly being literature. So when you relay other people's criticisms of Agnes Grey, and then your description of the story, it very much makes me want to read the novel. One more for the list. 🙂
I read it quite a few years ago and I remember I quite enjoyed it in spite of having read reviews which quite belittled it. They accused it of being too simple and straightforward but that’s exactly what made it fascinating to me. As a matter of fact I quite enjoy reading diaries and biographies and this novel may have elements of both genres.
Thanks for your review of the book. I must say it makes me want to read it for myself. Especially as a calmer book without so much full on drama sounds like something I would enjoy at the moment. Also I've done quite a bit of working with children and young people so again the subject matter sounds interesting. Plus you've helped me to have realistic expectations of what to expect. A great review.
Hi Claudia, for my first victober, I read both of them bronte's novels and I, like you enjoy both of them for different reasons. I read that Anne Bronte was very much against the animal cruelty that was the Victorian era and she was also very religious and this came through in the book Agnes Grey. I did the opposite I read Agnes grey first and then the tenant of wildfell Hall. Yes they are completely different books. Because I read and write memoir, I sensed the autobiographical nature of the book. In the beginning I found Agnes to be a bit of a goody-goody and I admired Rosalie for her rough treatment of men LOL. But she does mature at the end and I came to admire her. I worked with children in Japan, not to mention having four kids of my own. I never would accept the treatment that Agnes gray received, but Japan is a very disciplined country. And I had control over my children. I didn't understand why Agnes needed to take that treatment when she had a family. Maybe you can expand on that aspect . I also enjoyed the people who lived on the property. I did a wrap-up of the book on my channel but not half as eloquently as you did. Aloha Maya
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about Agnes Gray. It definitely is very different from Jane Eyre. I remember my favorite part about the book being Agnes’ observations and commentary that she reaches from her experiences as a governess.
I didn't like this one very much (I read 2 years ago, I think), not for the aspects that you talked about (that ones I liked), but I founded that the protagonist was too optimistic in a way that I didn't like hehe. Love your review and your channel ♥️
I agree ! I love that book, but I was surprised by how Anne loved animals so much, I don't think I have read the same thing anywhere else. How animals are treated is important to her - and to me ;) Not complex, yes, but so very good !
This was such a detailed and interesting review. I completely agree about the educational focus of the story being its strength. I didn't love it as much as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but still think it is a great book 😊
This was an excellent review. I am glad I read “Agnes Grey” before I read “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” because I came to it without any expectations for high drama. While reading it I thought the character for Rosalie was remarkably similar to a flirty, spoiled student of Lucy Snow’s in Charlotte’s novel “Villette”. “Agnes Grey” was published in 1847, several years before Villette (1853). I think a case could be made for Charlotte having appropriated the character of Rosalie for use in Vilette. (Right now I can’t remember the character’s name.) Anne’s writing is the most true to life of the three sisters. Their own mother was from a higher status family than their educated but poor minister father.
I've always thought that Agnes Grey feels like a Bronte trying to right an Austen novel (most similar to Mansfield Park I think) because it has aspects of both styles. I do really like it even though it's not my favorite.
Hey Claudia! Thanks for your thoughts on Agnes Grey, I really enjoyed listening to you. I'm probably not a suitable reader for Victorian novels (if that's a typical representative here), because I found this insanely self-righteous and all things morally dismissive young woman horrible. No one can stand before her eyes, all people (apart from the family, Mr. Weston and herself) have flaws and faults. She condemns non-stop. I also don't see any personality development at all, from the beginning she knows that she is "good" and "just". So there are no conflicts that a reader could grow from. But I probably focused too much on the moral exaltation of Agnes while reading to get much positive out of the book. Kind regards, Max
I loved the Tenant of Wildfell Hall first as well, but was dissatisfied with Agnes Grey. I know Agnes was a woman of her time and taking other people’s abuse was expected, but it was so hard to “watch”. I am screaming in my head at her for being so passive. Just the fact that children ran her rather than the other way around. Helen in Wildfell takes control of her fate under extreme circumstances so I was able to identify with her so much more.
I loved Agnes Grey, and am not a book-tube guy, but I’ve been looking at reviews, wanting to chime in. It’s the first Bronte novel that I finished. I just wanted to comment on how great it is. Anne Bronte had a beautiful yet simple and realistic prose style that perfectly fit the slice-of-life quality of the novel. I agree that’s it’s very underrated. I loved how the first half was often comedic, and the second was more serious. I loved the simplicity of the ending. It was so beautiful that it had me tearing up, and brought chills to my spine.
I love Anne Bronte's two books, so much more than her sisters'. those two books are so modern in thinking and perspective, and as a vet, the scene with the birds blew my mind, and I loved her for this. She did the right thing. The only, albeit heartbreaking, option she had to prevent cruel sufferings. Yes, Agnes Grey is less openly revolutionary than The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and so quiet that it can come across as ...boring if you don't look closely. But some of the characters in it really stay with you, and some scenes, too. Especially the animal ones, and also the primrose scene. Whenever I see primroses, I think of Agnes Grey and the primroses on the steep bank.
I read The Tenant of Wakefell Hall and enjoyed it well,up to a point. Now I am wondering about A.B's only other book. I was told that there is animal cruelty in it and that puts me right off It is the only Bronte book I have not read; yes to the three by Charlotte and yes to the only one by Emi!y. Please settle my unease. Thank you.
It's been a few years since I read it, but yes I think there is an instance of the children Agnes is looking after being cruel/violent to animals. If you're sensitive to that, I would suggest avoiding the book or reading a more detailed synopsis so you're aware where exactly in the plot it happens.
Thank you so much for alerting an animal lover. Yes, not a book I want to read.....same as Moby Dick; Born Free; Watership Downs etc 🙂 Regards from Cheshire.
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What kind of heathen doesn't love Agnes Grey? Can I find them and give them a severe talking to? They probably don't like cats either.
Well, Hi there!
I am reading Agnes Grey at the moment and i really can`t stand this self-righteous crap. 70 pages to go and i am suffering.
But i love cats! So i guess, both is possible ;-) Greetings
@@KainUndAbelBooks miracles never cease. But don't you feel for poor Agnes and want her to cheer up?
@@scallydandlingaboutthebook2711 Why poor Agnes? Agnes in her own state of mind and truely beliefs that she is the one good lamb among lost souls. She doesnt need my help, she needs an appointment with Mr. Freud.
@@KainUndAbelBooks brilliant reaction! I know what you mean but I am so conscious of the limited options faced by that class of Victorian women to earn a living respectably and the invidious position of the governess fitting neither with the servants nor the family.
@@KainUndAbelBooks So do you.
Wonderful review! I love the quiet power of Anne Bronte's writing. I loved Agnes Grey because of the educational focus too!
Don’t be sad you have read both her novels, because there is the most wonderful and wholesome biography of Anne out there: Anne Brontë and the Art of Life by Samantha Ellis. I loved Agnes Grey too, for the same reasons you have mentioned. Every time I read about a character in a Victorian novel that treats an animal badly, I think of this book and how clever she used that behavior. Great review! 🙂📖
I love this book! I read it earlier this year and really connected with Agnes. I can also totally understand why people wouldn’t love it but it really worked for me. It has solidified my opinion that Anne is my favorite of the Brontës.
This does sound up my alley. I haven’t read Anne Bronte yet. I read Shirley during Victober, and it has a much more grounded, everyday life quality to it as well. Perhaps more sociopolitical, but still small and quiet. I loved it. Do you have a recommendation for which Anne Bronte novel to read first?
I generally prefer to start with the best an author has to offer, so I would recommend Tenant, but maybe look at reviews for that first and see if it appeals to you
I loved how accurate education was in Agnes Grey. I remember reading it on audio while at work with toddlers and thinking “Yup. That is how some people are.” It is quiet, subtle and incredible book if you are the right person.
I just finished the novel and I loved the detailed review you did. Thank you very much from Barcelona :)
It sounds like it's a "simple" book in the same way that Mad Men is a "simple" tv show. Mad Men has been described as "just people in rooms having conversions", which, most of the time, it is. It's also one of the most deeply complex stories and series of delicate and subtle character portraits I've ever experienced. It's one of the few tv shows I'd describe as truly being literature. So when you relay other people's criticisms of Agnes Grey, and then your description of the story, it very much makes me want to read the novel. One more for the list. 🙂
I read it quite a few years ago and I remember I quite enjoyed it in spite of having read reviews which quite belittled it. They accused it of being too simple and straightforward but that’s exactly what made it fascinating to me. As a matter of fact I quite enjoy reading diaries and biographies and this novel may have elements of both genres.
Thanks for your review of the book. I must say it makes me want to read it for myself. Especially as a calmer book without so much full on drama sounds like something I would enjoy at the moment. Also I've done quite a bit of working with children and young people so again the subject matter sounds interesting. Plus you've helped me to have realistic expectations of what to expect. A great review.
Hi Claudia, for my first victober, I read both of them bronte's novels and I, like you enjoy both of them for different reasons. I read that Anne Bronte was very much against the animal cruelty that was the Victorian era and she was also very religious and this came through in the book Agnes Grey. I did the opposite I read Agnes grey first and then the tenant of wildfell Hall. Yes they are completely different books. Because I read and write memoir, I sensed the autobiographical nature of the book. In the beginning I found Agnes to be a bit of a goody-goody and I admired Rosalie for her rough treatment of men LOL. But she does mature at the end and I came to admire her. I worked with children in Japan, not to mention having four kids of my own. I never would accept the treatment that Agnes gray received, but Japan is a very disciplined country. And I had control over my children. I didn't understand why Agnes needed to take that treatment when she had a family. Maybe you can expand on that aspect . I also enjoyed the people who lived on the property. I did a wrap-up of the book on my channel but not half as eloquently as you did. Aloha Maya
I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about Agnes Gray. It definitely is very different from Jane Eyre. I remember my favorite part about the book being Agnes’ observations and commentary that she reaches from her experiences as a governess.
Loved this! I really enjoyed Agnes Grey
I am going to try and read this book 📖 please stay safe love from Australia xxx
I didn't like this one very much (I read 2 years ago, I think), not for the aspects that you talked about (that ones I liked), but I founded that the protagonist was too optimistic in a way that I didn't like hehe. Love your review and your channel ♥️
I agree ! I love that book, but I was surprised by how Anne loved animals so much, I don't think I have read the same thing anywhere else. How animals are treated is important to her - and to me ;) Not complex, yes, but so very good !
is the period before the victorian era called the romanticism era in English lit?
This was such a detailed and interesting review. I completely agree about the educational focus of the story being its strength. I didn't love it as much as The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but still think it is a great book 😊
I just found a used copy of this and am excited to put it in the rotation in 2021!! :D
This was an excellent review. I am glad I read “Agnes Grey” before I read “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” because I came to it without any expectations for high drama. While reading it I thought the character for Rosalie was remarkably similar to a flirty, spoiled student of Lucy Snow’s in Charlotte’s novel “Villette”. “Agnes Grey” was published in 1847, several years before Villette (1853). I think a case could be made for Charlotte having appropriated the character of Rosalie for use in Vilette. (Right now I can’t remember the character’s name.) Anne’s writing is the most true to life of the three sisters. Their own mother was from a higher status family than their educated but poor minister father.
Ginevra Fanshawe 😊
I've always thought that Agnes Grey feels like a Bronte trying to right an Austen novel (most similar to Mansfield Park I think) because it has aspects of both styles. I do really like it even though it's not my favorite.
That is a strangely appealing review for me, lol!
Hey Claudia!
Thanks for your thoughts on Agnes Grey, I really enjoyed listening to you. I'm probably not a suitable reader for Victorian novels (if that's a typical representative here), because I found this insanely self-righteous and all things morally dismissive young woman horrible.
No one can stand before her eyes, all people (apart from the family, Mr. Weston and herself) have flaws and faults. She condemns non-stop. I also don't see any personality development at all, from the beginning she knows that she is "good" and "just". So there are no conflicts that a reader could grow from.
But I probably focused too much on the moral exaltation of Agnes while reading to get much positive out of the book.
Kind regards, Max
I loved the Tenant of Wildfell Hall first as well, but was dissatisfied with Agnes Grey. I know Agnes was a woman of her time and taking other people’s abuse was expected, but it was so hard to “watch”. I am screaming in my head at her for being so passive. Just the fact that children ran her rather than the other way around. Helen in Wildfell takes control of her fate under extreme circumstances so I was able to identify with her so much more.
I feel very much similarly about this novel, thanks for this review!
I loved Agnes Grey, and am not a book-tube guy, but I’ve been looking at reviews, wanting to chime in. It’s the first Bronte novel that I finished. I just wanted to comment on how great it is. Anne Bronte had a beautiful yet simple and realistic prose style that perfectly fit the slice-of-life quality of the novel.
I agree that’s it’s very underrated. I loved how the first half was often comedic, and the second was more serious. I loved the simplicity of the ending. It was so beautiful that it had me tearing up, and brought chills to my spine.
Wonder review
I love Anne Bronte's two books, so much more than her sisters'. those two books are so modern in thinking and perspective, and as a vet, the scene with the birds blew my mind, and I loved her for this. She did the right thing. The only, albeit heartbreaking, option she had to prevent cruel sufferings. Yes, Agnes Grey is less openly revolutionary than The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and so quiet that it can come across as ...boring if you don't look closely. But some of the characters in it really stay with you, and some scenes, too. Especially the animal ones, and also the primrose scene. Whenever I see primroses, I think of Agnes Grey and the primroses on the steep bank.
I'm entirely with you on that, she was ahead of her time. It's such a shame she only ever got to finish those two novels.
I read The Tenant of Wakefell Hall and enjoyed it well,up to a point. Now I am wondering about A.B's only other book. I was told that there is animal cruelty in it and that puts me right off
It is the only Bronte book I have not read; yes to the three by Charlotte and yes to the only one by Emi!y.
Please settle my unease.
Thank you.
It's been a few years since I read it, but yes I think there is an instance of the children Agnes is looking after being cruel/violent to animals. If you're sensitive to that, I would suggest avoiding the book or reading a more detailed synopsis so you're aware where exactly in the plot it happens.
Thank you so much for alerting an animal lover.
Yes, not a book I want to read.....same as Moby Dick; Born Free; Watership Downs etc 🙂
Regards from Cheshire.
Uh-oh, child care?? I hoe the awkward class issues save it for meeeee....