Charades on Serenity

Nancy Posey reviews for The Charlotte Observer, Hilma Wolitzer's Summer's Reading, a novel with several Brontë references that we have featured previouly on BrontëBlog.

Les Manuscripts Ne Brûlent Pas returns to Brontë, this time reviews, in French, Anne Brontë's Agnes Grey (Agnès Grey in French) and Jane Eyre. Two very interesting insights.

At the Lighthouse publishes another very interesting post. The topic is the tradition of Tableaux Vivants in literature. The Jane Eyre charade episode in Thornfield Hall is quoted and discussed:

In Brontë’s controversial novel about an independent woman, who, true to her own feelings and ideals, achieves what she wants without stooping to play the game that Jean Muir masters and Lily Bart loses, the tableau becomes the symbol of the vanity and artificiality that Jane despises. What the audience perceives as a lovely confirmation of a mutual affection rising between Mr. Rochester and Blanche Ingram, Jane recognises as “acting”, “disguise”, and “attire”, she “knows” Rochester in spite of his costume, and she sees the tableau as well as the supposed mutual affection for what it is, a charade on Rochester’s part. The subtle point made about tableaux vivants by Alcott and Wharton is emphasised by Brontë: the tableau vivant is, in all it’s meta-artisticness, a reflection of the artificiality of our lives. (Marie)

Exploring England's Literary Landscapes visits Brontë Country, particularly Haworth and York:

Unfortunately, the rain was falling with determination as we ventured out, but we forged back into the moors nonetheless. After a brief hike to the Bronte Falls and a last look at the countryside in what was appropriately cool, foggy, and wet weather, we ducked into the warmth of the Bronte Parsonage. Though the Austen’s home in Chawton was well done, this presentation of the Brontes’ home and life were outstanding. Almost all of the furniture in the house was owned and used by the Brontes, which made the experience seem more authentic. (Read more)

Words from a Dancing Fool comments Wuthering Heights.

Finally, on the weirdo section, Forecast Rayne has organized a fan-fiction competition mixing some Jane Eyre quotes with the Firefly universe.

Categories: Agnes Grey, Books, Jane Eyre, Haworth, Weirdo, Wuthering Heights