Like many fans of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, I’ve always been intrigued by the quiet presence of Mrs Fairfax, the housekeeper of Thornfield Hall. She’s a figure who hovers at the edges of Charlotte's 1847 novel—kind, dutiful, and a little old-fashioned. So when I came across this novella - Simple Dame Fairfax - centred… Continue reading Simple Dame Fairfax by Anna Bransgrove: Review
Kitty Talbot is young, pretty, penniless, and determined to do all she can to snag herself a rich husband in the bright lights of Regency London. With determination and an iron will that can rival Becky Sharp, can anyone, male or female, rich or poor, stand in her way? Is Kitty merely a fortune hunter,… Continue reading A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
A Catalogue of Catastrophe is the latest offering from the wonderful Jodi Taylor. The 13th novel in the St. Mary’s series has finally arrived and once again features the Disaster Magnets and the irrepressible Dr “Max” Maxwell. A Catalogue of Catastrophe sees Max and the equally irrepressible Markham in their new roles away from St. Mary’s. Despite facing… Continue reading A Catalogue of Catastrophe (St. Mary’s #13)
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor is the first book set at St Mary’s Institute of Historical Research. The book introduces us to protagonist and historian, Dr Madeleine “Max” Maxwell as she is recruited to St. Mary’s and discovers that she won’t just be studying history from now on, but will also be… Continue reading Just One Damned Thing After Another (St. Mary’s #1)
It seems fitting to be posting this review of a tale inspired by Charlotte Brontë's underappreciated novel The Professor on her birthday. She was born on this day (21st April) in 1816 and went on to create memorable novels and stories that have ensured her literary legacy is alive and well in 2023. In September… Continue reading Love and Literature by Aviva Orr
My latest read was something a little different from my usual preferences. Or at least I thought it was. No bonnets, no time travel, no moors, and no Brontës. However, An Ayah's Choice is not as different to all that as I thought and spoke to me in a way I wasn't expecting. A 2022… Continue reading An Ayah’s Choice by Shahida Rahman
Finola Austin's compelling debut novel explores the allegedly scandalous relationship between the brother of the Brontë sisters, Branwell, and Lydia Robinson, the wife of his employer. Released in 2020, it's long been on my TBR pile. Thankfully it was nudged up the list after being chosen as February's novel for my Brontë-themed book club. The… Continue reading Brontë’s Mistress by Finola Austin
* As this text is historical fiction, there are mild spoilers ahead, mainly for those unfamiliar with the story of the Brontës from 1842 - 1849. * The text's title promises a focus on Anne, the so-called quiet and "other" Brontë whose reputation is still overshadowed by her siblings, Charlotte, Branwell, and Emily. The text… Continue reading Without the Veil Between, Anne Brontë: A Fine and Subtle Spirit by DM Denton
In addition to featuring posts on the works of the Brontës, I also like to discover and post about Brontë inspired fiction. This time it's the turn of Lena Coakley's 2016 novel, Worlds of Ink and Shadow: A Novel of the Brontës, which I recently finished reading and included on my list of 30 of the Best Books About the Brontës. Like Catherynne M. Valente's The Glass Town Game, this is a narrative which focuses on the Brontës' early writings, or juvenilia, set in their fictional fantasy worlds of Glass Town, Gondal, and Angria. I'm going to avoid spoilers in this post and attempt to review by summarising and sharing my overall thoughts on the text. Forgive my digressions on the history of the Brontë juvenilia, but why write a review of a text based on it without bothering to mention it?
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
Welcome to The Lemonade Factory
Reader, lover, collector and occasional sniffer of books.
White Orchid Resonance
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver
A lovingly sarcastic journey through all of Sweet Valley High, for grown folks
This blog is a selection of interesting things I've come across during my history research. I have a wide interest in history ranging from Wars of the Roses, country houses, Stuarts, Georgians, Louis XIV, Napoleon and criminals. So expect to see a bit of everything on here, with a focus on little known stories.
Exploring the world of ideas through books
A British Invasion era twist on a Brontë classic novel
Assorted Thoughts on Various Themes
Welcome to My Blog!
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
A dog's life
Craft, Food, Travel, Local History, Pets & Life
"For once in your life, indulge in the amiable weakness of doing yourself justice." - The Black Robe, Wilkie Collins
My honest opinion on the books I read.
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
Wool, Wiltshire and All Manner of Wonderful Things!
Travels through the literary landscape: a guide to places of literary interest in the British Isles and beyond.
What Would You Give Up So She Could Live?
Writer, Reader, Crunchy Mom
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
Exploring library copies of the seminal nineteenth century novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
A blog where I write about my faith in Christ, my life as a wife and mother, & books.
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
These are a few of my favourite things. 🥰
Stock images and prints from Yorkshire landscape and travel photographer Mark Sunderland
I'm just going to write because I cannot help it
Brontë Babe Blog 