The Brontë Family (Hardback)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

In this brilliant book exploring the Bronte siblings’ complicated personal and professional relationships, Catherine Rayner delves into the impact that their mother’s death would have affected their relationships with each other (particularly their rivalries, disharmony, and separation, with attention paid to Anne’s different burial site), their development as children, and their development as adults. Using modern theories about family structure, sibling rivalries and development, and psychology, Rayner describes how Charlotte’s role in the family changed when she became the eldest child and the different expectations the family had for youngest child Anne and only son Bronson. Rather than detailing the Brontes’ respective works of literature, Rayner’s discussion of their family dynamics offers insight as to why they might have written specific themes and dynamics into their books and their fascinatingly complex literary lives. Packed with information and a fascinating take on the Brontes’ shared and separate histories, this book is a brilliant combination of literary and psychological analysis that Bronte fans will absolutely love because it is so unique. The pacing and depth of information really brings them to life, and Rayner has woven historical context and modern theories together in some absolutely masterful ways in this fascinating new title.

NetGalley, Lily Amidon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I found this book very enlightening. I have read all of the Bronte novels and watched many of the adaptations even studied Wuthering Heights for Alevel many years ago now but never have I considered the family in the way Catherine does here and aI was struck by how true her observations are and how badly Charlotte dealt with her sisters works after their deaths. She seemed to want us to only think of her sisters as she wanted us to and that is a great shame.
I loved reading this book and noted that when I studied Emily for Alevel I can't remember any of these points coming up in our discussion.

NetGalley, Carol Faulconbridge

All in all, this is an enlightening read that I recommend to anyone interested to learn more about the authors behind the books. Just from paragraphs and snippets shared in this book, one can see the influences impacting every word. I am now more excited than ever to read their novels!

NetGalley, Mona M

This is a psychological study of the Brontes, which goes into forensic detail about how their family history, birth order, and sibling rivalry affected them. Catherine Raynor studies the myths surrounding them and explores why Anne’s work has been overshadowed by Charlotte’s and Emily’s. Being the youngest, I found the insights about birth order extremely interesting and I could identify with how this position in the family affected Anne.

However, Jane Eyre is one of my favourite novels and it’s unfortunately hard to like Charlotte after reading this book! Still, Raynor’s work is fascinating to any lover of the Brontes.

NetGalley, Lisa Sanderson

This was such an interesting read. I have loved all the books I have read by the Bronte's, and so it was so interesting to read a book that looked at the relationship between the siblings who I already loved and others that I didn't know at all and how this affected their lives.
It was well written with a lot of information that was really engaging and didn't feel heavy at any point. I really enjoyed it and will look for more by the author.

NetGalley, Kirsty Montgomery

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is a terrific companion piece for anyone interested in the people who produced such wonderful books and poems. The analysis is careful, measured, informed and respectful but does not shy away from offering opinions which some may consider confronting or controversial. The analysis of birth order and childhood experiences is fascinating and gives scope for further consideration of their influence on the works of the Brontë's. I particularly enjoyed the analysis of Anne Brontë as the youngest child.

NetGalley, Louise Gray