Status
Available
Publication
Wordsworth Editions Ltd (1998), Edition: Revised, 192 pages
Description
Classic Literatur Fictio HTML: Agnes Grey is the daughter of a minister who faces financial ruin. Agnes decides to take up one of the only professions available to Victorian gentlewomen and become a governess. Drawing on her own, similar experiences, Anne Brontë portrays the desperation of such a position. Agnes' livelihood depends on the whim of spoiled children, and she witnesses how wealth and status can degrade social values.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ctpress
It can be discussed how great a classic this is. Certainly not anything like Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Maybe even just a classic because, well, she's the third sister….and yet, here I've read it again - and enjoyed it even more this second time.
Based on Anne's own experiences as an
Not is all gloom. There's people to meet in the local church - the new priest, Mr. Weston is one of them - and he seems to have perception enough to see Agnes' good character and noble heart.
Agnes is one of those girls who go through life unnoticed (maybe like Anne Brontë herself?) - she's willing to suffer and be ignored and bullied - above and beyond duty - long after we mere mortals have run away. She's "downstairs" and "upstairs" keep reminding her of that fact.
I believe Anne must have enjoyed getting this story out of her system so to speak. Like a therapeutic thing - giving expression to all the unfair treatment she herself suffered.
Based on Anne's own experiences as an
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underpaid and unappreciated governess - we follow the naive and timid Agnes Grey as she's starting a new life as a governess. Her gentle and meek nature are certainly worthy of praise, but not the best weapons to tame two wild unruling children - she is simply run over by the double trouble. Then she moves on to another post - to take care of two conceited teenage girls.Not is all gloom. There's people to meet in the local church - the new priest, Mr. Weston is one of them - and he seems to have perception enough to see Agnes' good character and noble heart.
Agnes is one of those girls who go through life unnoticed (maybe like Anne Brontë herself?) - she's willing to suffer and be ignored and bullied - above and beyond duty - long after we mere mortals have run away. She's "downstairs" and "upstairs" keep reminding her of that fact.
I believe Anne must have enjoyed getting this story out of her system so to speak. Like a therapeutic thing - giving expression to all the unfair treatment she herself suffered.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Agnes Grey, which was published the same year as Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, isn't nearly as dramatic as either of her sisters' most famous works. It's a story of a basically good, but naive, young woman. As the youngest child in a loving family, she was pampered by her mother and older
Agnes Grey is more overtly religious than either Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, with its frequent references to the Bible and to Christian virtues. Its seems to instruct as much as it entertains. While Agnes doesn't have the passion of a Jane Eyre or the tragedy of a Catherine Earnshaw, she is a gentle soul who deserves a happy ending.
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sister. She asserts some independence by seeking work as a governess in order to contribute to the family finances. Nothing in her background has prepared her for the situations in which she finds herself. She seems surprised when the families she works for treat her as less than a social equal. The household servants seem to be beneath her notice, and are hardly even mentioned in the novel. Good works provide her with her primary social contacts. In her limited free time, she visits the sick and elderly members of the community, and it is through these visits that she makes an acquaintance who will change her life.Agnes Grey is more overtly religious than either Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, with its frequent references to the Bible and to Christian virtues. Its seems to instruct as much as it entertains. While Agnes doesn't have the passion of a Jane Eyre or the tragedy of a Catherine Earnshaw, she is a gentle soul who deserves a happy ending.
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LibraryThing member readingwithtea
Agnes Grey has all the features of the first book of a gifted writer. The topic is not particularly ambitious, but every description is just a little unnecessarily colourful.
The book is narrated by the heroine of the title, who, in order to help her family in financially difficult times, seeks out
The writing seems a little stilted, amateurish – whether this is deliberate in an attempt to lend authenticity to young Agnes’ voice, or inadvertent, it makes the book difficult to get into (not unlike Northanger Abbey). There is a strong tinge of social commentary throughout, which I rather enjoyed – it is more skilfully crafted in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but it is still convincing and thought-provoking here, and still applicable today, with mentions of what an author is willing to put in the public domain (Facebook? Blogging? Thought so) and familial tensions. Not having read much 19th century literature, I don’t know whether the relative poverty conveyed is a rare topic, but given her ground-breaking choices in TToWH, it wouldn’t surprise me. The behaviour of the children reminded me very much of the behaviour of a young Helen Keller in a favourite book of mine, Helen Keller’s Teacher.
The criticism of the writing is by no means all-encompassing; Brontë has a magnificent turn of phrase when she cares to use it. Words like “proxility” and “colloquy” and the simple emotions conveyed with “she would rather live in a cottage with Richard Grey than in a palace with any other man in the world” show the class and style I had expected from Agnes after TToWH.
Crucially, the novel has a spectacular ending: “And now I think I have said sufficient.” And so have I.
The book is narrated by the heroine of the title, who, in order to help her family in financially difficult times, seeks out
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positions as a governess despite a sheltered upbringing. The children of both families with whom she resides are unrelentingly cruel, wilful and generally shocking.The writing seems a little stilted, amateurish – whether this is deliberate in an attempt to lend authenticity to young Agnes’ voice, or inadvertent, it makes the book difficult to get into (not unlike Northanger Abbey). There is a strong tinge of social commentary throughout, which I rather enjoyed – it is more skilfully crafted in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but it is still convincing and thought-provoking here, and still applicable today, with mentions of what an author is willing to put in the public domain (Facebook? Blogging? Thought so) and familial tensions. Not having read much 19th century literature, I don’t know whether the relative poverty conveyed is a rare topic, but given her ground-breaking choices in TToWH, it wouldn’t surprise me. The behaviour of the children reminded me very much of the behaviour of a young Helen Keller in a favourite book of mine, Helen Keller’s Teacher.
The criticism of the writing is by no means all-encompassing; Brontë has a magnificent turn of phrase when she cares to use it. Words like “proxility” and “colloquy” and the simple emotions conveyed with “she would rather live in a cottage with Richard Grey than in a palace with any other man in the world” show the class and style I had expected from Agnes after TToWH.
Crucially, the novel has a spectacular ending: “And now I think I have said sufficient.” And so have I.
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LibraryThing member PhilSyphe
When some people talk about the Brontë sisters, they refer to Anne as “the other one”. I refer to Anne as “the best one”. Her writing style is notably different to her sisters Charlotte and Emily, who both write romantic fiction. Anne was a realist author, and a damn good one at that.
When
Ten years later, to pay tribute to Anne on her 200th birthday, I gave both novels another read, this time starting with “AG”. Must say, I enjoyed infinitely more on the second time around. With no high expectations, I concentrated on the story for what it is, rather than wishing it was like Anne’s greatest work.
Anne drew much from her own personal life for this novel, particularly the scenes where Agnes – as a governess – is dealing with children. And what horrid children they are! What’s worse, the parents are utterly useless – total snobs – who have no sympathy or empathy for what poor Agnes has to endure.
These scenes featuring Agnes and the “demonic” children are among the highlights in terms of vivid writing and believability. You can picture the scenes clearly, which is owing to Anne’s superb writing skills. I'll go as far as saying the woman was a genius.
As the story progresses, we get a mild love story between Agnes and Mr Weston. Again, Anne’s skills as a realist author comes to the fore here. We don’t get overblown drama with the male and female lead expressing their undying love for each other. Instead, we have shyness, uncertainty, lack of confidence, insecurity, and such like, which suits both characters.
While neither Agnes nor Mr Weston are charismatic heroes, they are realistic reflections of people of their class in the 1800s, and perhaps any century. It’s a sweet relationship, rather than a sensational one.
At times, the narrative becomes didactic, preaching what’s morally right, and so on, which is a reflection of the author’s personality. Some readers may not like this, but personally, this is all fine by me. It suits the characters whilst reflecting values of nineteenth-century England.
So, while Anne is overshadowed by her sisters, and while “Agnes Grey” is overshadowed by “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”, this shouldn’t put anyone off from reading this novel. Approach it for what it is, and not for what it isn’t, and you should take a lot of pleasure out of it. I’ve read it twice, and I’ve every intention of reading it again.
When
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I first read “Agnes Grey” in 201o, I did so shortly after reading her classic novel “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”. As a result, I was a little disappointed. I expected a story similar to “TTOWH”, but “AG” is very different.Ten years later, to pay tribute to Anne on her 200th birthday, I gave both novels another read, this time starting with “AG”. Must say, I enjoyed infinitely more on the second time around. With no high expectations, I concentrated on the story for what it is, rather than wishing it was like Anne’s greatest work.
Anne drew much from her own personal life for this novel, particularly the scenes where Agnes – as a governess – is dealing with children. And what horrid children they are! What’s worse, the parents are utterly useless – total snobs – who have no sympathy or empathy for what poor Agnes has to endure.
These scenes featuring Agnes and the “demonic” children are among the highlights in terms of vivid writing and believability. You can picture the scenes clearly, which is owing to Anne’s superb writing skills. I'll go as far as saying the woman was a genius.
As the story progresses, we get a mild love story between Agnes and Mr Weston. Again, Anne’s skills as a realist author comes to the fore here. We don’t get overblown drama with the male and female lead expressing their undying love for each other. Instead, we have shyness, uncertainty, lack of confidence, insecurity, and such like, which suits both characters.
While neither Agnes nor Mr Weston are charismatic heroes, they are realistic reflections of people of their class in the 1800s, and perhaps any century. It’s a sweet relationship, rather than a sensational one.
At times, the narrative becomes didactic, preaching what’s morally right, and so on, which is a reflection of the author’s personality. Some readers may not like this, but personally, this is all fine by me. It suits the characters whilst reflecting values of nineteenth-century England.
So, while Anne is overshadowed by her sisters, and while “Agnes Grey” is overshadowed by “The Tenant of Wildfell Hall”, this shouldn’t put anyone off from reading this novel. Approach it for what it is, and not for what it isn’t, and you should take a lot of pleasure out of it. I’ve read it twice, and I’ve every intention of reading it again.
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LibraryThing member rmckeown
I am resolved to work my way through all the novels by the Brontë sisters – Ann, Emily, and Charlotte. Agnes Grey is Anne’s first of her two novels. Anne was born January 17, 1820. She was a novelist and a poet. She spent most of her life with her family at the parish church of Haworth on the
She drew on her experiences at Haworth and as a governess in writing the novel. The first paragraph sets forth her ideas on writing a novel. She wrote, “All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry shriveled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut. Whether this be the case with my history or not, I am hardly competent to judge; I sometimes think it might prove useful to some, and entertaining to others, but the world my judge for itself: shielded by my own obscurity, and by the lapse of years, and a few fictitious names, I do not fear to venture, and will candidly lay before the public what I would not disclose to the most intimate friend” (1). Every time I delve into one of the Brontës, I can not help to hear their voices—soft, gentle, erudite—as I imagine them to be.
As was frequently the case in those days, a writer was at the mercy of the typesetters. In a letter to her publisher, she wrote, “There are numerous literal errors, and the text of Agnes Grey is marred by various peculiarities of punctuation, especially in the use of commas (some of these, however, may be authorial)” (xi). She began revising the text, and a copy of the third volume has “some 121 revisions made in pencil in her hand, many of them involving quite significant substantive alterations” (xi). James Joyce faced the same problem with Ulysses with typesetters who could not read English. I corrected the text for many years—nearly up to his death.
Anne’s novel is considered quite an achievement. As the novel proceeds, she becomes more confident. Here is a conversation between Anne and Rosalie: “‘If you mean Mr. Weston to be one of your victims,’ said I, with affected indifference, ‘you will have to make such overtures yourself, that you will find it difficult to draw back when he asks you to fulfil the expectations you have raised’ // [Anne’s reply] ‘I don’t suppose he will ask me to marry him—nor should I desire it … that would be rather too much presumption! But I intend him to feel my power—he has felt it already, indeed—but he shall acknowledge it too; and what visionary hopes he may have, he must keep to himself, and only amuse me with the result of them—for a time’” (xii).
As the Introduction to my paperback copy points out, “Agnes Grey is undoubtedly in many ways a deeply personal novel’ (xii). “Charlotte Brontë described the work as ‘the mirror of the mind of the writer” (xii-xiii). One of the things that Anne emphasized in her novels, comes right out of her experiences as a governess. The treatment of these young women was nothing less than atrocious. Agnes Grey speaks with the authority of experience. In addition, her moral and religious sensibilities are evident throughout the novel.
I hope this taste of a fantastically talented young writer will inspire you to snuggle up with Anne Brontë and delve into Agnes Grey. All you need is a cup of tea, some patience, and the reward is a thoroughly satisfying picture of young women in England of the 1840s. 5 stars!
--Jim, 12/6/17
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Yorkshire moors. She was a governess from 1839 to 1845. Agnes Grey was published in 1847. Anne died May 28, 1849.She drew on her experiences at Haworth and as a governess in writing the novel. The first paragraph sets forth her ideas on writing a novel. She wrote, “All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry shriveled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut. Whether this be the case with my history or not, I am hardly competent to judge; I sometimes think it might prove useful to some, and entertaining to others, but the world my judge for itself: shielded by my own obscurity, and by the lapse of years, and a few fictitious names, I do not fear to venture, and will candidly lay before the public what I would not disclose to the most intimate friend” (1). Every time I delve into one of the Brontës, I can not help to hear their voices—soft, gentle, erudite—as I imagine them to be.
As was frequently the case in those days, a writer was at the mercy of the typesetters. In a letter to her publisher, she wrote, “There are numerous literal errors, and the text of Agnes Grey is marred by various peculiarities of punctuation, especially in the use of commas (some of these, however, may be authorial)” (xi). She began revising the text, and a copy of the third volume has “some 121 revisions made in pencil in her hand, many of them involving quite significant substantive alterations” (xi). James Joyce faced the same problem with Ulysses with typesetters who could not read English. I corrected the text for many years—nearly up to his death.
Anne’s novel is considered quite an achievement. As the novel proceeds, she becomes more confident. Here is a conversation between Anne and Rosalie: “‘If you mean Mr. Weston to be one of your victims,’ said I, with affected indifference, ‘you will have to make such overtures yourself, that you will find it difficult to draw back when he asks you to fulfil the expectations you have raised’ // [Anne’s reply] ‘I don’t suppose he will ask me to marry him—nor should I desire it … that would be rather too much presumption! But I intend him to feel my power—he has felt it already, indeed—but he shall acknowledge it too; and what visionary hopes he may have, he must keep to himself, and only amuse me with the result of them—for a time’” (xii).
As the Introduction to my paperback copy points out, “Agnes Grey is undoubtedly in many ways a deeply personal novel’ (xii). “Charlotte Brontë described the work as ‘the mirror of the mind of the writer” (xii-xiii). One of the things that Anne emphasized in her novels, comes right out of her experiences as a governess. The treatment of these young women was nothing less than atrocious. Agnes Grey speaks with the authority of experience. In addition, her moral and religious sensibilities are evident throughout the novel.
I hope this taste of a fantastically talented young writer will inspire you to snuggle up with Anne Brontë and delve into Agnes Grey. All you need is a cup of tea, some patience, and the reward is a thoroughly satisfying picture of young women in England of the 1840s. 5 stars!
--Jim, 12/6/17
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LibraryThing member LauraBrook
This story, based on Anne's life to some extent, was unexpectedly easy to read. Yes, she does use broad, sweeping, stereotypical generalizations of the classes (rich = ignorant, cruel, gossipy, dumb; poor = kind, loving, forgiving, morally superior), and no, it's certainly not the most inventive of
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plots, but it's still an enjoyable read. We follow Anne on her first two (and only) governess jobs, both with children so terrible they were infuriating, and then she meets a nice man, suffers a family loss - oh how will the story end? It doesn't matter that things aren't clever and fast-paced - what's a pleasure here is just going along for a ride on Miss Grey's shoulders. Show Less
LibraryThing member annbury
Unexpected and involving -- this is the first novel I've read by "the other Bronte", and it was both a big surprise and an engrossing read. Anne Bronte, of course was the youngest of the Bronte sisters; she wrote two novels before her death at the age of 29. She has nothing like the literary
For me, the surprise in "Agnes Grey" was how little it reminded me of the work of Charlotte and Emily. There's much in common (especially with Charlotte), most of which reflects the Brontes' own lives -- an initial setting in Yorkshire, a close if impoverished clerical family background, a strongly moral view of life. But "Agnes" is far less dramatic than the works of the elder Brontes, far more concerned with social distinctions, and far more focussed on marriage. The mood is very different; realistic rather than romantic, and social rather than isolated. And the style is also very different; very clear, very objective, and decidedly (part of the time) ironic.
All in all, "Agnes Grey" reminds me more of Jane Austen than of the elder Brontes, especially the Jane of "Mansfield Park". Like Fanny Brice in "Mansfield", Anne Bronte's Agnes is an outsider and social inferior in her milieu, and is also much involved with personal morality. She can in fact lapse into priggishness, but not too often, and there are hints of potentially radical social views beneath the mid- Victorian morality. Many of the minor characters (particularly the nasty ones) are one dimensional, but the dimension is brilliantly sketched out.
For me, this was an engrossing read, and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy Victorian literature, but have not yet experienced Anne Bronte. I shall put her other novel, "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" on my to-read list.
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reputation of her two sisters, Emily and Charlotte. Some would argue that had something to do with Charlotte's comments after Anne's death, but it also reflects a very different style.For me, the surprise in "Agnes Grey" was how little it reminded me of the work of Charlotte and Emily. There's much in common (especially with Charlotte), most of which reflects the Brontes' own lives -- an initial setting in Yorkshire, a close if impoverished clerical family background, a strongly moral view of life. But "Agnes" is far less dramatic than the works of the elder Brontes, far more concerned with social distinctions, and far more focussed on marriage. The mood is very different; realistic rather than romantic, and social rather than isolated. And the style is also very different; very clear, very objective, and decidedly (part of the time) ironic.
All in all, "Agnes Grey" reminds me more of Jane Austen than of the elder Brontes, especially the Jane of "Mansfield Park". Like Fanny Brice in "Mansfield", Anne Bronte's Agnes is an outsider and social inferior in her milieu, and is also much involved with personal morality. She can in fact lapse into priggishness, but not too often, and there are hints of potentially radical social views beneath the mid- Victorian morality. Many of the minor characters (particularly the nasty ones) are one dimensional, but the dimension is brilliantly sketched out.
For me, this was an engrossing read, and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy Victorian literature, but have not yet experienced Anne Bronte. I shall put her other novel, "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" on my to-read list.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
The introduction to my copy of "Agnes Grey" compares the book to novels by Jane Austen. The first half of the novel, therefore, was somewhat disappointing. Where Austen novels are sparkling, "Agnes Grey" is filled with disagreeable people and dismal surroundings (or maybe that is just the effect of
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the people!). However, the storyline picks up - Agnes falls in love, her sister marries, even the death of her father does not bring further hardship, but rather opportunities. Overall, an enjoyable read and not nearly as "gothic" as her sisters' works tend to be. Finally, in re-reading my notes from school, I was reminded that this is a story of becoming - Agnes leaves home to make her way in the wide world. In the process, she gains a real sense of who she is and what she aims to be. That is an enjoyable part of the journey of this story. Show Less
LibraryThing member SheReadsNovels
Although I didn't think this book was as good as Anne Bronte's other novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and it didn't have the feel of a must-read classic like Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, there was still a lot to like about Agnes Grey.
The plot is simple, plain and linear. It's the story of a
Agnes Grey has an autobiographical feel because Anne Bronte herself had worked as a governess and was able to draw on her own personal experiences to show how servants were often treated with cruelty and contempt by their employers. I could sympathise with Agnes as I would soon have lost my patience with the spoilt Bloomfield children and the self-centred, inconsiderate Murrays. I also thought it was unfair that the parents expected Agnes to control their children without actually giving her any real authority over them. It was such a difficult position to be in. However, I found it slightly disappointing that Agnes seemed prepared to just accept things the way they were and not do anything to change the situation. The book was more about tolerance and perseverance than about taking action to try to make things better.
Another of the book's themes is the importance of morality, virtuousness and goodness, qualities in which the Bloomfield and Murray families seem to be sadly lacking, leading Agnes to feel isolated and miserable. However, I think many readers will find Agnes too self-righteous and superior, so if you prefer your heroines to be flawed and imperfect this probably isn't the book for you! Reading about the day to day life of a governess is not particularly exciting or dramatic, but I still found the book enjoyable and interesting - and at under 200 pages a very quick read compared to many of the other Bronte books.
The plot is simple, plain and linear. It's the story of a
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young woman in 19th century England who goes out to work as a governess when her family fall on hard times. Unfortunately Tom, Mary Ann and Fanny Bloomfield are three of the most badly-behaved children imaginable. When her short, unhappy time with the Bloomfields comes to an end, Agnes finds another situation with two older pupils, Rosalie and Matilda Murray. This second position is not much better than the first - the Murray girls are selfish and thoughtless and the only thing that makes Agnes's life bearable is her friendship with Mr Weston, the village curate.Agnes Grey has an autobiographical feel because Anne Bronte herself had worked as a governess and was able to draw on her own personal experiences to show how servants were often treated with cruelty and contempt by their employers. I could sympathise with Agnes as I would soon have lost my patience with the spoilt Bloomfield children and the self-centred, inconsiderate Murrays. I also thought it was unfair that the parents expected Agnes to control their children without actually giving her any real authority over them. It was such a difficult position to be in. However, I found it slightly disappointing that Agnes seemed prepared to just accept things the way they were and not do anything to change the situation. The book was more about tolerance and perseverance than about taking action to try to make things better.
Another of the book's themes is the importance of morality, virtuousness and goodness, qualities in which the Bloomfield and Murray families seem to be sadly lacking, leading Agnes to feel isolated and miserable. However, I think many readers will find Agnes too self-righteous and superior, so if you prefer your heroines to be flawed and imperfect this probably isn't the book for you! Reading about the day to day life of a governess is not particularly exciting or dramatic, but I still found the book enjoyable and interesting - and at under 200 pages a very quick read compared to many of the other Bronte books.
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LibraryThing member Helenliz
A largely biographical novel, telling the trials and tribulations of a daughter of a clergyman who resorts to being a governess in order to reduce her burden on the family finances.
Unfortunately, Agnes is allowed too little authority over her spoilt charges and has too little experience, character
Agnes herself is not someone I'd want to spend a great deal of time with. Too innocent to know much of the ways of the world, she is entirely out of her depth for most of the novel. She is also too insipid to do much about it. She always takes the back seat and does little to develop her own character. I accept she's in a difficult situation, the governess sitting uncomfortably between the servants and the family, being a part of neither circle. It leads to a isolating position, despite Agnes' claim (about which she then does nothing) that she is the equal of the ladies and their friends that she has been employed to educate.
The other topic this book covers is courtship & marriage. There are two very different end results, and, one suspects, one is supposed to take the message that a good marriage is deserved by the more godly (preachy and pious) person. I, however, take from it that I'm amazed any marriage was ever good, in that they seem to be based on a mere handful of meetings and those barely seem to scratch the surface of the kind of exploratory conversations you'd have on a modern date. Rosalie discovers her husband is not at all what she imagined he would be, and has no skills to manage him. I occasionally complain my husband is not at all romantic, but I did know that before I married him.
Not the longest book, and not a difficult read. But it has that 19th century preaching tone about it - you're supposed to take a lesson from it. And so it's unlikely to be one I'll come back to.
Unfortunately, Agnes is allowed too little authority over her spoilt charges and has too little experience, character
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and authority in herself to be able to exert what little authority she does have over the brats. And they are uniformly brats who are neglected and over indulged by their parents. It is also a cycle that is difficult to break, with Rosalie Murray looking set to treat her child in the same manner as she was, thus perpetuating the cycle of bad behaviour. Agnes herself is not someone I'd want to spend a great deal of time with. Too innocent to know much of the ways of the world, she is entirely out of her depth for most of the novel. She is also too insipid to do much about it. She always takes the back seat and does little to develop her own character. I accept she's in a difficult situation, the governess sitting uncomfortably between the servants and the family, being a part of neither circle. It leads to a isolating position, despite Agnes' claim (about which she then does nothing) that she is the equal of the ladies and their friends that she has been employed to educate.
The other topic this book covers is courtship & marriage. There are two very different end results, and, one suspects, one is supposed to take the message that a good marriage is deserved by the more godly (preachy and pious) person. I, however, take from it that I'm amazed any marriage was ever good, in that they seem to be based on a mere handful of meetings and those barely seem to scratch the surface of the kind of exploratory conversations you'd have on a modern date. Rosalie discovers her husband is not at all what she imagined he would be, and has no skills to manage him. I occasionally complain my husband is not at all romantic, but I did know that before I married him.
Not the longest book, and not a difficult read. But it has that 19th century preaching tone about it - you're supposed to take a lesson from it. And so it's unlikely to be one I'll come back to.
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LibraryThing member Alhana
I really loved this book. I think Anne among the Bronte sisters is too underrated. Okay, her book is not groundbreaking as Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, but it's still a good book, sweet and nice, and that leaves you with a good feeling in your heart. So, for me, it's five stars.
LibraryThing member ccookie
First lines:
~ All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut ~
Agnes Grey follows the life of a young woman who sets out to
I enjoyed the book which chronicles Agnes' two jobs as governess to other people's children. She describes very competently, the challenges that are faced when raising children in the parents absence, unable to properly discipline them, and forced to tolerate abuse or risk losing the job.
This had me thinking that we have not progressed very far since 1847 when this book was published. I am currently reading 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett and she details similar issues in her book written in 2011 but set in the early to mid 1960's, 120 years after Anne Bronte wrote 'Agnes Grey'.
I loved Bronte's sense of humour throughout the book. She had me really chuckling. If there is one criticism it is that everything wraps up so nicely at the end. Our heroine is married and has her own children and everything is picture perfect. But, I guess that this happy ending is the Victorian Style; well written and very enjoyable
~ All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut ~
Agnes Grey follows the life of a young woman who sets out to
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work to financially help her Victorian minister father who is unable to support his family due to ill health.I enjoyed the book which chronicles Agnes' two jobs as governess to other people's children. She describes very competently, the challenges that are faced when raising children in the parents absence, unable to properly discipline them, and forced to tolerate abuse or risk losing the job.
This had me thinking that we have not progressed very far since 1847 when this book was published. I am currently reading 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett and she details similar issues in her book written in 2011 but set in the early to mid 1960's, 120 years after Anne Bronte wrote 'Agnes Grey'.
I loved Bronte's sense of humour throughout the book. She had me really chuckling. If there is one criticism it is that everything wraps up so nicely at the end. Our heroine is married and has her own children and everything is picture perfect. But, I guess that this happy ending is the Victorian Style; well written and very enjoyable
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
I am glad I read this. It wasn't terrible but compared to "Tenant" I would never believe it was written by the same woman. It's just rather dull. Agnes is self-righteous and to our modern eyes rather a wimp. Yes her charges are horrible little monsters and a reader can't judge her by our modern
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standards but "Tenant" has issues which are no longer relevant in it and it's still a great book. So of some interest but flawed. The fact that it has never been filmed probably about sums it up. Show Less
LibraryThing member RidgewayGirl
Anne is my favorite of the Bronte sisters. Her heroes are neither blind nor brutal, and with The Tenant of Wildfell Hall there is everything one could possibly want from a Victorian Melodrama; midnight escapes, brutality, unrequited longing, perseverance against all odds, unfortunate marriages and
Despite my love for Wildfell Hall, or maybe because of it, I had never read Anne's other novel, Agnes Grey. The dreary synopsis - the wretched and put-upon life of a governess, with its unique social and economic realities - just didn't call to me in the same way as thwarted passion did. I've read it now, and I'm so glad I have. Agnes is a cranky girl, full of self-pity, pride and self-righteousness, but she's not the pill that Wildfell Hall's Helen is, not by a long shot. Agnes grew on me, so that while I was rolling my eyes at her at the beginning of the book, I was rooting for her by the end of it. And there's plenty of unrequited love and disastrous marriages and even a little dog saved, for those who like a bit of drama with their biting social commentary.
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as unpleasant and prickly a heroine as one could ever want. I love it.Despite my love for Wildfell Hall, or maybe because of it, I had never read Anne's other novel, Agnes Grey. The dreary synopsis - the wretched and put-upon life of a governess, with its unique social and economic realities - just didn't call to me in the same way as thwarted passion did. I've read it now, and I'm so glad I have. Agnes is a cranky girl, full of self-pity, pride and self-righteousness, but she's not the pill that Wildfell Hall's Helen is, not by a long shot. Agnes grew on me, so that while I was rolling my eyes at her at the beginning of the book, I was rooting for her by the end of it. And there's plenty of unrequited love and disastrous marriages and even a little dog saved, for those who like a bit of drama with their biting social commentary.
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LibraryThing member zeborah
Many similarities to her sister Charlotte's Villette, though not so powerful. Agnes is more reliable a narrator -- occasionally coy, but transparently so -- though somehow (or perhaps 'therefore') I didn't find her quite as engaging. She's steadfast and determined, but mostly in a very quiet
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manner, so without the Villette-style revelations that "Oh by the way, I lied about X" there's little real spark. But she is likeable and admirable, and the story a sweet one of what makes a good education and a happy marriage. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucybrown
Okay, don't throw things at me... Anne is my favorite Bronte. There is something more human about her compared to the the masochistic Charlotte and the transcendent Emily. I loved this book, but it has been awhile since I read it.
LibraryThing member archiveninja
Most of the time I spent reading Agnes Grey I was wishing it was Jane Eyre. It's not.
LibraryThing member amerynth
Based upon her own experiences as a governess to two wealthy families, Anne Bronte's "Agnes Grey" is an interesting look at a world with very big class divides. I enjoyed the book, which was a super quick read, but found it's greatest interest lay not in its literary strength, but on the true life
Agnes, the daughter of a clergyman, becomes a governess to help with her family's financial troubles. She attends to two different families during her career -- one with a set of spoiled, troublesome tots and another with older, carefree teens who care little for learning, instead yearning for more frivolous activities. Agnes attempts through patience, kindness and gentle instruction to make a different in the lives of these folks with little success.
The book does come across as moralizing and preachy sometimes-- more so than Anne's second (and vastly superior book) "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," which also has a similar sensibility. However, I found there was also a sweetness to it that kept the narrator from crossing the line into annoying-ville. Overall, I found it a decent summer read, but not quite up to par with her other book, or the more well-known books of her sisters.
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experiences it drew upon.Agnes, the daughter of a clergyman, becomes a governess to help with her family's financial troubles. She attends to two different families during her career -- one with a set of spoiled, troublesome tots and another with older, carefree teens who care little for learning, instead yearning for more frivolous activities. Agnes attempts through patience, kindness and gentle instruction to make a different in the lives of these folks with little success.
The book does come across as moralizing and preachy sometimes-- more so than Anne's second (and vastly superior book) "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," which also has a similar sensibility. However, I found there was also a sweetness to it that kept the narrator from crossing the line into annoying-ville. Overall, I found it a decent summer read, but not quite up to par with her other book, or the more well-known books of her sisters.
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LibraryThing member kawgirl
I read this while treking around the UK. It was entertaining, though lacked a certain quality with which Anne's sisters somehow infused their books. Definitely worth reading.
LibraryThing member mcgooglykins
Anne is my favourite Brontë sister, and 'Agnes Grey' is my favourite work of hers. It's not groundbreaking, or particularly exciting, but it is a lovely glimpse into the world of the governess - and has a happy ending to boot.
LibraryThing member Aleksandra
Some consider Anne Bronte the least "creative" of the three sisters and say that her style is less aesthetically pleasing. I, however, like her work far more than that of Charlotte or Emily. "Agnes Grey" is a touching story told in a language that is as concise as it is vivid. Kudos to Anne Bronte!
LibraryThing member StoutHearted
The least-studied Bronte throws her experiences as a governess into the ring and the result is a scathing tale of the upper classes and how they treat their middle class servants.
The heroine Agnes Grey is a virtuous clergyman's daughter who, when her family finds themselves struggling, offers up
Agnes survives it all due to her sense of moral duty, which oftentimes borders on pride. She is afraid to admit failure to her family, who discouraged her from the work at first. Thus, she puts up with the cruelest of children in her first job as a governess, which she was woefully underprepared for. The second family she worked for was almost as bad. There, her primary charges were two young women: one a determined flirt, the other a foul-mouthed tomboy, neither of which felt obliged to be peacefully taught anything by a governess. The flirt, eldest daughter Rosalie, establishes a semblance of a friendship with Agnes, which consisted of Rosalie confiding in all the naughty things she did, and Agnes admonishing her. When Rosalie marries unhappily and is shut away in the country by her jealous husband, she calls on her old governess for conpanionship, but as usual does not listen to any of her advice. Thus, Rosalie becomes a self-sabotaging character: she is determined to always have things her way, even if her way makes things worse for her.
In contrast, Agnes finds a most agreeable companion in the curate Mr. Weston. Both find comfort in religion and helping the less fortunate. Agnes falls in love almost immediately, but does not dare hope that marriage is in the cards for a woman of her class and position. As stoic and sensible as she tries to be, her mind belies an schoolgirl giddiness when she thinks of Mr. Weston. It is interesting that she and Rosalie take almost similar actions to cross his path: Rosalie wants to ensnare Mr. Weston's affections before her marriage to stroke her ego, so she visits the cottagers more in hopes to find him administering to parishoners there. Similarily, Agnes hopes to run into and hear about Mr. Weston as she visits the cottagers. The difference lies in their motives: Rosalie's intents are perverted because she disdains mens' feelings and only wants to be adored and have the satisfaction of turning down another proposal. Agnes's love is pure and based on admiration for Mr. Weston's moral character.
The novel ends with happiness for those who deserve it -- very satisfactory for the reader. It is interesting to compare the novel to the "governess stories" of another Bronte, Charlotte, like "Jane Eyre" and "Villete", the latter being a closer comparison. In "Villette," Lucy Snowe is an isolated teacher who finds herself in a patronizing pseudo-friendship with one of her flirtatious and insulting charges. Like Agnes, Lucy makes a romantic connection with a likeminded sober and upstanding character. "Agnes Grey," however is a more damning account of the treatment of governesses. Few respectable jobs were open to educated women with no fortune to tempt men into marriage. Their minds and moral character set them apart, making them outsiders and resigned to a lonely life. They worked to survive, not to hope for any wordly pleasure, for the only pleasure that mattered was that of the family for whom they worked. The fact that Agnes can find happiness at the novel's conclusion is heartening, but it does not diminish the harsh treatment she received by her employers. I can only hope that the novel's publication made an impression on Victorian readers, and sought them to treat their governesses much more fairly.
The heroine Agnes Grey is a virtuous clergyman's daughter who, when her family finds themselves struggling, offers up
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her services as a governess. Her experiences are terrible: The children are unruly and unwilling to submit to authority, and the parents expect the kids to be tamed without discipline or harsh words. Agnes soon finds that governesses have an awkward place in their charges' families. They are treated like servants, yet expected to hold themselves in a manner better than such. Servants, in fact, seem to hold a resentment for a governess's place in their master's home. The governess then lives a lonely life, without confidantes, far from home. They are supposed to have no feelings, and to think only of their charges. When Agnes suffers a loss, her mistress is sulky that Agnes should take a short leave. She is ordered about with no concern of her own health or welfare, stuffed into uncomfortable carriage seats and forced to endure walks in uncomfortable weather and often finds herself sick.Agnes survives it all due to her sense of moral duty, which oftentimes borders on pride. She is afraid to admit failure to her family, who discouraged her from the work at first. Thus, she puts up with the cruelest of children in her first job as a governess, which she was woefully underprepared for. The second family she worked for was almost as bad. There, her primary charges were two young women: one a determined flirt, the other a foul-mouthed tomboy, neither of which felt obliged to be peacefully taught anything by a governess. The flirt, eldest daughter Rosalie, establishes a semblance of a friendship with Agnes, which consisted of Rosalie confiding in all the naughty things she did, and Agnes admonishing her. When Rosalie marries unhappily and is shut away in the country by her jealous husband, she calls on her old governess for conpanionship, but as usual does not listen to any of her advice. Thus, Rosalie becomes a self-sabotaging character: she is determined to always have things her way, even if her way makes things worse for her.
In contrast, Agnes finds a most agreeable companion in the curate Mr. Weston. Both find comfort in religion and helping the less fortunate. Agnes falls in love almost immediately, but does not dare hope that marriage is in the cards for a woman of her class and position. As stoic and sensible as she tries to be, her mind belies an schoolgirl giddiness when she thinks of Mr. Weston. It is interesting that she and Rosalie take almost similar actions to cross his path: Rosalie wants to ensnare Mr. Weston's affections before her marriage to stroke her ego, so she visits the cottagers more in hopes to find him administering to parishoners there. Similarily, Agnes hopes to run into and hear about Mr. Weston as she visits the cottagers. The difference lies in their motives: Rosalie's intents are perverted because she disdains mens' feelings and only wants to be adored and have the satisfaction of turning down another proposal. Agnes's love is pure and based on admiration for Mr. Weston's moral character.
The novel ends with happiness for those who deserve it -- very satisfactory for the reader. It is interesting to compare the novel to the "governess stories" of another Bronte, Charlotte, like "Jane Eyre" and "Villete", the latter being a closer comparison. In "Villette," Lucy Snowe is an isolated teacher who finds herself in a patronizing pseudo-friendship with one of her flirtatious and insulting charges. Like Agnes, Lucy makes a romantic connection with a likeminded sober and upstanding character. "Agnes Grey," however is a more damning account of the treatment of governesses. Few respectable jobs were open to educated women with no fortune to tempt men into marriage. Their minds and moral character set them apart, making them outsiders and resigned to a lonely life. They worked to survive, not to hope for any wordly pleasure, for the only pleasure that mattered was that of the family for whom they worked. The fact that Agnes can find happiness at the novel's conclusion is heartening, but it does not diminish the harsh treatment she received by her employers. I can only hope that the novel's publication made an impression on Victorian readers, and sought them to treat their governesses much more fairly.
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LibraryThing member TheNovelWorld
Somewhere in the middle of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights. Agnes Grey lacks character development and plot.
LibraryThing member unlikelyaristotle
A young woman's story as she starts her life as a governess for a wealthier family. What I love about Bronte books is that they all have a dark edge to them, you can imagine the dreariness and hardship the protagonists live through. Although it sounds slightly ominous, I love it because it shows
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readers some of the truth of lower or middle class living in England during that period. Show Less
LibraryThing member AJBraithwaite
Decided this was really a book about management techniques. As a governess, Agnes is hopelessly undermined by over-fond mamas who fail to give her the authority she needs to make her charges into half-decent human beings. Consequently, she ends up helping to create a brattish, selfish adult in
Agnes herself is a typical Brontë heroine: long-suffering, pious and a bit too good to be true. Anne's friendly, confidential, authorial voice rescues her from being completely unbearable, though. The importance of friends and small comforts (Snap the dog, for example) in making life pleasurable come through. I finished the book feeling that Anne was someone I would have liked to know, even if Agnes maybe wasn't.
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Rosalie Murray who seems destined to repeat the experience with her own poor child. This was all rather depressing. Agnes herself is a typical Brontë heroine: long-suffering, pious and a bit too good to be true. Anne's friendly, confidential, authorial voice rescues her from being completely unbearable, though. The importance of friends and small comforts (Snap the dog, for example) in making life pleasurable come through. I finished the book feeling that Anne was someone I would have liked to know, even if Agnes maybe wasn't.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1847-12
Physical description
192 p.; 8 inches
ISBN
9781853262166
Other editions
Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë (Ebook)