This week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl) is “Books to Read If You Love/Loved X (X can be a genre, specific book, author, movie/TV show, etc)”.
I have chosen to list ten books with connections to the Brontë family – a mixture of non-fiction, historical fiction, classics and retellings! These are all books that I have read and reviewed on my blog.
1. The Taste of Sorrow by Jude Morgan – My favourite of the ten books listed here, this is a beautifully written fictional biography of Charlotte, Emily and Anne with strong characterisation bringing all three sisters to life.
2. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys – This is probably one of the best-known Brontë-inspired novels, giving a voice to Mr Rochester’s wife Bertha, and has become a modern classic in its own right.
3. Sanctuary by Robert Edric – A fictional account of the life of Branwell Brontë, a young man who starts out with so much potential only to find himself living in the shadow of his sisters.
4. Ill Will by Michael Stewart – In the middle of Wuthering Heights, Heathcliff disappears for three years. This novel imagines what may have happened to him during that time. An interesting idea, but the anachronistic language ruined this book for me!
5. The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell – A contemporary novel about a young American woman who is the last living descendant of the Brontë family and finds herself searching for the lost Brontë literary estate.
6. Dark Quartet by Lynne Reid Banks – Another fictional biography of Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell, published in the 1970s. There’s a sequel covering the final years of Charlotte’s life, but I haven’t read that one yet.
7. Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye – Part historical crime/part Jane Eyre retelling, this is the story of Jane Steele, a murderer whose life seems to mirror that of the heroine of her favourite Brontë novel. I loved all the Jane Eyre parallels, but found the crime aspect less successful.
8. Nelly Dean by Alison Case – A retelling of Wuthering Heights with a focus on the life of the housekeeper Nelly Dean. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped; I liked Nelly, but her story wasn’t as interesting as Cathy and Heathcliff’s – which is why Emily Brontë wrote that book and not this one!
9. The Infernal World of Branwell Brontë by Daphne du Maurier – Another book about Branwell Brontë, but a non-fiction one this time – and written by another of my favourite authors! Several of du Maurier’s novels also show a strong Brontë influence.
10. Mr Rochester by Sarah Shoemaker – This version of Jane Eyre is written from the perspective of Mr Rochester. I enjoyed the earlier sections of the novel that imagine Rochester’s childhood and time in Jamaica, but the final part – retelling the familiar events of Jane Eyre – didn’t work as well.
~
What do you think? Have you read any of these? What other books have you read that are about or inspired by the Brontës?
She Reads Novels 
I’ve only read the Rhys, which I thought was excellent! 😀
It’s a fascinating book! I need to read more by Jean Rhys.
A good idea! I haven’t read any of these, although I have Dark Quartet and The Brontes by Juliet Barker, which I have started but not finished.
I’ve thought about reading the Juliet Barker book once or twice, but been put off by the length!
Have not read any of these. But will check it out.
I enjoyed most of them!
I was aware of Jane Steele and Wide Sargasso Sea and The Infernal World of Branwell Brontë, but I hadn’t heard of any of these others. Nice list!
Thanks! I was surprised to see how many Brontë-related books I’ve read!
Mr. Rochester looks fun!
Happy TTT!
Lori
I had one or two problems with it, but did enjoy it!
Will have to look out for the Branwell book (the Daphne du Maurier one) – I feel bad for him every time I see that Bronte picture where he’s painted himself out.
I’ve always felt sorry for Branwell too – he seemed to have such an unhappy life. I can highly recommend the Daphne du Maurier book!
Excellent idea. I have not read any of these, thanks for sharing. Here is my link: https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2021/11/top-ten-tuesday-new-authors.html
Thanks! I love the Brontës so enjoyed putting this list together.
Love this! I’m a Bronte addict and I’ve just added several books on here to my TBR. I’ve read and loved Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Steele.
Here’s my TTT: https://franlaniado.wordpress.com/2021/11/16/top-ten-tuesday-recommendations-for-classic-lit-based-on-your-favorite-tv-show/
Thanks! I’m glad you found some books on my list that interest you.
What a fun idea for this week’s topic! I’ll definitely be looking these up! Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I had fun putting my list together this week. I’ve always loved the Brontës!
Nice list! I need to read the Wide Sargasso Sea ….
It’s an interesting book! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
What a great take on this week’s TTT list. Who knew there were so many Bronte-related books? The Taste of Sorrow intrigues me the most. 🙂
I think there are probably a lot more of them too! The Taste of Sorrow is a beautifully written book.
Mr Rochester sounds really interesting! What was it about the canon parts of the retelling that didn’t work for you?
In the second half of the book she puts whole chunks of dialogue from Jane Eyre directly into the mouths of the characters, which I didn’t like. I enjoyed it overall, though.
I can see how that might be disconcerting!
Nice list! I haven’t read any of these, but some of them definitely sound like books I’d enjoy.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thanks, Susan! I think there’s something for every Brontë fan here 🙂
I too have only read the Rhys from this list but I do at least have another one of her novels waiting. Have you come across Isabel Greenberg’s graphic novel Glass Town? This takes a creative look at the Brontë siblings and their juvenile fantasy writings: https://wp.me/p2oNj1-4m7.
No, I’ve never come across the Isabel Greenberg book – I must have missed your review last year. It sounds fascinating, although I should maybe read the Brontës’ juvenile writings first!
I’ve dipped a bit into the juvenilia but honestly you don’t need to, this is a good enough introduction to it all!
I’ve only read Wide Sargasso Sea but I own the Banks book and intend to read it. Several others I liked:
The Return of the Twelves by Pauline Clarke – about the Brontes’ soldiers
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey – sort of a retelling of Jane Eyre
Jane by April Lindner – a YA retelling
Peter’s Room by Antonia Forest – the Marlows and their friend Patrick start Gondaling
Thank you. I’ve heard of The Flight of Gemma Hardy, although I haven’t read it, but the other three are new to me.
Great idea for a list, Helen! Of those listed, I have read Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Steele – The first I thought was very powerful, although ‘enjoyed’ might be the wrong for word it, and I loved the setting and character of Jane Steele. 😃 I don’t think I have read any others, however this has reminded me I have a long-forgotten copy of The Mist on Brontë Moor on my Kindle! 😅
I haven’t come across The Mist on Brontë Moor – I hope it’s good!