ROMANCING MISS BRONTË

Gael’s novel traces the famed authors' lives, art, trials as women trying to publish works in the nineteenth century, and, of course, romances. This intriguing portrait encompasses ambitious Charlotte Brontë (JANE EYRE) and her sisters, fierce Emily (WUTHERING HEIGHTS) and gentle Anne (AGNES GREY). It delves into the hardships of living on the Yorkshire moors and tending to a blind father and alcoholic brother, while penning literary masterpieces. Rosalyn Landor captures the sisters' emotionally charged intensity and the shared imaginary kingdoms that evolve into their inspirations. Landor employs a Yorkshire lilt when voicing the male characters and a more cultured tone for curate Nicholls, who is secretly pining for Charlotte. Gael blends real correspondence and historical fact with romantic conjecture, and these departures enliven what otherwise would be a sad account of unrequited loves and family tragedies. A.W. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2010]