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The Works of Charlotte and Emily Bronte
This volume contains the complete novels of Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Shirley.
768 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1920
About the author
Charlotte Brontë
1,156 books17.3k followersCharlotte 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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December 30, 2015NOTA: Este tesoro precioso (precioso!!) me regaló my brother... para que olvide este episodio de nuestras vidas, supongo XD
January 23, 2022
Gorgeous Gramercy Gothic Romance and Mystery
These two girls wrote so well with minimal formal education but much creative imagination and an intellectual existence exceeding many higher class families with significantly greater resources both in financial and physical matters. Despite dying before their prime and leaving very few markers of their existence, they have left a legacy to English literature surpassing most male authors of their era.
Individual novels are reviewed under their own titles.
These two girls wrote so well with minimal formal education but much creative imagination and an intellectual existence exceeding many higher class families with significantly greater resources both in financial and physical matters. Despite dying before their prime and leaving very few markers of their existence, they have left a legacy to English literature surpassing most male authors of their era.
Individual novels are reviewed under their own titles.
August 30, 2011
I stuck to Wuthering Heights this time. I was due for a re-read of it, and I recalled absolutely loving it as a teen, reading it over and over. Such deep tragedy - and perhaps now that I've experienced so much of my own at this point, I found that it was more disturbing this time around than romantic, more sad than melancholy, more tragic than anything else. I think when I was younger, death was more of a concept than a reality, so the idea of the eternal after-death love of Catherine and Heathcliff was satisfactory, when now, after experiencing so much of my own personal loss, all that's left is the folly of losing all of that living time they could have been together over pride and jealousy and the expecataions of others. It wouldn't be the same story any other way, but this time it left me just feeling hopeless. Also, for some reason I did feel it was as skillfully written as I used to believe this time around. I used to be enraptured by the story within a story idea. Perhaps I've become used to that method of narative after so many David Lynch movies that it's no longer novel at all. Basically - it was best the first time and should be read as a teen, but I'll probably never read it again.
June 23, 2018
In the dark shadow of Mary Shelley, here come The Bronte Sisters!
Masterfully written tales of tragedy and work with touches of romance hither and thither. These tales are most definitely classics to be read and reread time and again throughout the generations.
Though the 19-Century English makes the novels a bit difficult to read, they are not hard to follow. And though a foreboding shadow looks over most of their tales, a touch of femininity peeks in throughout. Their poetry holds the same bipolar allure.
Amazing classics! Do I really need to say that I recommend these books? LOL
Masterfully written tales of tragedy and work with touches of romance hither and thither. These tales are most definitely classics to be read and reread time and again throughout the generations.
Though the 19-Century English makes the novels a bit difficult to read, they are not hard to follow. And though a foreboding shadow looks over most of their tales, a touch of femininity peeks in throughout. Their poetry holds the same bipolar allure.
Amazing classics! Do I really need to say that I recommend these books? LOL
September 24, 2021
this is the wrong book but I need to log something bc I need to feel the dopamine rush of goodreads congratulating me on completing my 2020 challenge sorry nothing brings me joy anymore ?
March 1, 2018
Ho letto e riletto Cime Tempestose e Jane Eyre molte volte. Credo che non si possa dire di aver davvero apprezzato la letteratura classica senza aver letto qualcosa delle sorelle Bronte.
Consigliato sia come lettura che come ri-lettura!!
Consigliato sia come lettura che come ri-lettura!!
December 11, 2022
This is a quite bulky book with wuthering heights, the tenent of wildfell hall shirely and jane eyre all in one book, Think the bulkyness of the book was off putting for me and so this review probably is more based on the length of time it has taken to read 561 pages an amazing 8-9 months before i closed it has a no hope, i lost total interest in reading any further, maybe i will pick it up at a later date, maybe better if i read each book seperatly instead of has one big collection,
wuthering heights was quite a neat read
Shirely being more religious christianity
The tenent of wildfall hall being more descriptive on the countryside and buildings, more a love story
never got to the end of shirely
and jane eyre i never got to read
off back to charles dickens and roald dahl
wuthering heights was quite a neat read
Shirely being more religious christianity
The tenent of wildfall hall being more descriptive on the countryside and buildings, more a love story
never got to the end of shirely
and jane eyre i never got to read
off back to charles dickens and roald dahl
September 26, 2017
All the stories in this book were amazing! I loved Jane Eyre the most.
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March 25, 2020Feminism!
August 16, 2020
Reqd
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2021
Such a shame all of the Brontes died so young. We could have had many more classics like these from them.
September 30, 2021
Giving up on this book. Classic or not, it's too depressing.
March 1, 2017
I've only read Jane Erye, and I LOVE it! It's such a great classic.
October 2, 2008
10/2 I am giving myself a break from this series becuase I just can't seem to get into Shirley - I know little about the industrial revolution in turn of the century England and this book is thick with references to the political goings on during this era. Maybe I can study the history first and then I'll understand what the heck Bronte is writing about.
9/21 - Second book in the Series: Wuthering Heights - 4 stars. Sigh, how to begin a review of one of the most read books by Bronte. This book is filled with passion of the most extreme kinds from vehement hatred to fervent love and covetousness. Not a book for those that believe that all love stories should end in happily ever after. It makes one think about the necessity of treating those about us with respect and love, despite their flaws. If only Heathcliff had been raised in an environment of respect and nurtured rather than shunned - how differently his sad life would have turned out.
8/27 First book in the series: Jane Eyre - 4 stars. I just finished reading the first in this series. I enjoyed re-discovering this book, which I first read in High School AP English. Although the writing is somewhat confusing at first, with all of the internal monologue, and it takes a while to get moving, the book is quite enjoyable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who can concentrate when reading; otherwise you might not catch everything that is going on.
9/21 - Second book in the Series: Wuthering Heights - 4 stars. Sigh, how to begin a review of one of the most read books by Bronte. This book is filled with passion of the most extreme kinds from vehement hatred to fervent love and covetousness. Not a book for those that believe that all love stories should end in happily ever after. It makes one think about the necessity of treating those about us with respect and love, despite their flaws. If only Heathcliff had been raised in an environment of respect and nurtured rather than shunned - how differently his sad life would have turned out.
8/27 First book in the series: Jane Eyre - 4 stars. I just finished reading the first in this series. I enjoyed re-discovering this book, which I first read in High School AP English. Although the writing is somewhat confusing at first, with all of the internal monologue, and it takes a while to get moving, the book is quite enjoyable. I'd recommend this book to anyone who can concentrate when reading; otherwise you might not catch everything that is going on.
September 1, 2008
I own this book - this edition, actually, and I have to say it's a wonderful thing to have on my shelf. It's lovely, and big!!
Jane Eyre is one of my all-time-favorite books. I could pick it up and start reading anywhere.
Villette was incredibly sad, but I really, really liked it. The story drew me in and I had to know how it would end.
Wuthering Heights is just a strange, strange novel about pathetic, selfish, people. It's tragic how they ruined their lives because they were so self-absorbed. I read it because it's that book everyone is like, "ugh I hated that book!"
I loved it. =P
Jane Eyre is one of my all-time-favorite books. I could pick it up and start reading anywhere.
Villette was incredibly sad, but I really, really liked it. The story drew me in and I had to know how it would end.
Wuthering Heights is just a strange, strange novel about pathetic, selfish, people. It's tragic how they ruined their lives because they were so self-absorbed. I read it because it's that book everyone is like, "ugh I hated that book!"
I loved it. =P
February 26, 2009
I bought this book because my daughter had to read Jane Eyre for school, and I decided I would read it along with her. I ended up purchasing this collection of all the works by Charlotte and Emily Bronte. My daughter found Jane Eyre very hard to read and hated the book when it was over. I enjoyed Jane Eyre and then went on to read Wuthering Heights. I did not enjoy Wuthering Heights as much. It just seems such a dark story.
I'm currently reading Shirley, and so far have not been able to get into the story.
I'm currently reading Shirley, and so far have not been able to get into the story.
September 11, 2010
I've read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and will be moving on to Shirley. It's been interesting to see the difference between the sisters' writing. Though both have written the "hero" as a very dark, mysterious, and somewhat cruel man, they have both also included the reasoning behind the actions of these men...what pushed them to this extreme. Anyway, this was definitely one of the good gifts I received from my sister. She decided to get me a book one year after seeing a bag I owned that said a good friend would buy me a book I've never read. :)
September 22, 2009
All the Bronte books have always fascinated me. There is a new BBC version of the movie on PBS right now that puts Heathcliff in a whole new light. Maybe the way we've always pictured Heathcliff isn't who Emily really created.
Merged review:
A book shouldn't be judged by the pretty picture on the cover, right? Jane was always the perfect heroine to read about when I wanted to be a little spooked.
Merged review:
A book shouldn't be judged by the pretty picture on the cover, right? Jane was always the perfect heroine to read about when I wanted to be a little spooked.
August 17, 2016
After reading Jane Austin, I despised 19th century England. They appeared motivated by greed and wealth. While you get this sub-current with the Bronte sisters, you get a real feel for England. The picture of the industrial revolution but with stories of classes of people not stuck in the r7uling class. The development of their characters is the true accomplishment Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are of course good, but I was also pleased with the lesser known works.
October 23, 2011
So far I've read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. I love Jane Eyre She is one of my favorite characters in all of literature. This is one of my would-read-again books. Wuthering Heights was a little disturbing and not at all what I expected from vague references on TV, etc. I didn't like it very much although the writing was of course excellent. Too dark for my taste.
January 9, 2014
Why are certain books readable over and over again? Why do we seem to see more in them each time? Learn things each time we didn't realize were there?
The Brontes are in this class. It's a depth of insight, observation, feeling, ... about life, about people, the self, the world, the universe ... which, in a lifetime of reading, I've been fortunate to find in just a few authors.
The Brontes are in this class. It's a depth of insight, observation, feeling, ... about life, about people, the self, the world, the universe ... which, in a lifetime of reading, I've been fortunate to find in just a few authors.
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August 15, 2008I'm reading this (for my second time) with my book group. Wow! I'm glad this is sunny August, not dreary January, in Chicago. Like the book...feel differently about it now than I did as a teenager (what a surprise).
Shelved as 'own-might-read'
November 15, 2008Yet another excellent value from this line purchased back in halcyon youth working in the Media Play book department. I've only read Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre from this, so I'm not really in a position to rate it.
Where's lonely Acton Bell in all of this, I ask?
Where's lonely Acton Bell in all of this, I ask?
July 6, 2011
I struggled with reading this story. It just seemed so dark and I didn't like how every relationship was a bad match. I kept hoping that something good would happen but it never really did happen. Don't know that I would read it again.
December 31, 2012
One of my favorite books of all time. Such a very strong central character who holds to her principles and is fearless in trials. The end is a little manufactured and asks us to suspend our disbelief, but I'm willing to forgive that as a product of its time.
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March 4, 20076/25/2005
May 8, 2008
I Just read Jane Eyre but I loved it. I will read it again....
May 16, 2008
I thought overall it was kind of boring. I'm not much of a chick pick kind of person. It had some good morals in it though.
September 17, 2008
I've read several stories out of these books, and they are great. Jane Eyre was the greatest story that came out of these authors though!
October 14, 2008
I have only read WUTHERING HEIGHTS and JANE EYRE. I hope to read the others in the next few weeks. Have any of you read SHIRLEY or VILLETTE or THE PROFESSOR?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews