Agnes Grey (1847)

I quite enjoyed this - and I really admire the way Agnes manages to keep her cool while being faced with all these stupid and horrible people. ( )

"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."

Agnes Grey, begins with this great opening line.

From Agnes' difficulties of being a governess to horrid kids, to observing class differences, to discussing reading and books with the man she falls in love with — this was a very good although somewhat quiet-feeling novel.

All covered in only about 200 pages, but still satisfying. Read for #1001Books, Agnes Grey was better than I expected (it had been TBR for far too long). It's unfortunate that Anne Bronte didn't live long enough to produce more works -- so much lost potential. ( )

Even though not a whole lot happens, I quite enjoyed this short novel, as well as the background material included in the edition I read. This is the start of a bit of a Brontë binge, because, well, what better to do during this oddest of springs? ( )

Agnes Grey draws on Anne Brontë's experiences as a governess. Anne wanted to write a novel that showed the many difficulties, indignities, and discriminations a governess faces while carrying her duties - with the purpose of reform in mind. The novel is also something of a study of human behaviour and society, as well as relationships. The families who Agnes works for make "The Addams Family" look tame and perfectly normal. The plot is straight forward and the writing not too long-winded and verbose. The prose is acutally quite beautiful. This book comes across as quiet and peaceful without melodrama, but it still somehow draws the reader in. Also, unlike many novels written in this time period, Agnes does not wait around for a man to marry her and "save" her. She is capable of being independant and making her own decisions.

This Penguin Classics edition has additional material including a chronology, an introduction (which deals with Brontë family dynamics and reviewer criticism), a bibliographical notice of Ellis and Acton Bell, notes and further reading. ( )

This was my fifty-first book of the year and the first that was on my to-read read list for 2013. I am not sure if its that old high school feeling of reading something that is a classic that initially makes me hesitate to read something called "a classic." All three Bronte sisters are on my list for this year.

Agnes Grey's life as a governess reminded me of my student teaching days in college. Unlike Agnes, I had enough and decided that graduate school was a better choice than teaching. Too many Bloomfield children and parents changed my mind. Children are spoiled today as they were then and parents equally unbelieving of any criticism.

Several themes in the book stand out. The obvious is the role of religion or belief and the rewards for the faithful. The role of women in society and even female children is obvious. Perhaps the most interesting theme is the treatment of animals and Agnes view and actions against cruelty to animals. Compassion for animals was not what I was expecting from Victorian writer.

The writing is clear and straightforward and the story flows nearly flawlessly. The characters seem real and Agnes is a reader. A very worthwhile read. ( )