'That theme of feeling trapped is so relatable right now'

According to San Francisco Chronicle's Date Book, 'For novelists, the first time is often the best'.

“Jane Eyre.” “To Kill A Mockingbird.” “The Catcher in the Rye.” “Catch-22.” “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” “Things Fall Apart.” “The Bluest Eye.” “Lord of the Flies.”
Hazard a guess about what all these novels have in common.
It’s probably a surprise to learn that all are debut novels.  And despite the fact there is no shortage of stellar evidence, debut novels have an image problem. [...]
Sometimes, sadly, the first time out of the gate is the pinnacle of an author’s achievement.  Those with one great novel in them include Harper Lee (“To Kill A Mockingbird”), Margaret Mitchell (“Gone With the Wind”), Boris Pasternak (“Dr. Zhivago”), Oscar Wilde (“The Picture of Dorian Gray”) and Emily Brontë (“Wuthering Heights”). (Regarding Brontë, it must be noted she died only a year after her novel was published, so she has a good excuse.) (Barbara Lane)

Except for the fact that Jane Eyre was NOT Charlotte Brontë's first novel. Officially, it was The Professor, not to mention the fact that she had actually been writing all her life. (And neither was One Hundred Years of Solitude García Márquez's first novel, by the way).

SunSentinel calls the Class of 2020 'the resilient generation' in view of the fact that they have been handling crises all their lives.

Instead of building up anger and frustration over the uncontrollable circumstances COVID-19 caused, these graduates used their extra time to relax and pick up old hobbies.
Kaitlyn Tully, valedictorian at Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, said she’s been re-kindling her love for calligraphy, water color painting, poetry writing and her favorite — reading for fun.
She devoured “Jane Eyre,” the classic romance by Charlotte Brontë. In the novel, Jane struggles for years to find a place of belonging, peace and satisfaction.
“That theme of feeling trapped is so relatable right now,” Kaitlyn said. (Danielle Ivanov)

While Inforum thanks teachers.

 It was in high school that I saw my senior blossom. My husband and I are getting a sneak peek into what drives her — where her passions are taking her, and we couldn’t be more excited about what's ahead.
She’s found a love of literature - asking for a set of Brontë sisters books for her 18th birthday. (I think I might have asked for a new Loverboy album for my 18th.) She had English teachers who helped her see the power and beauty of words, both from others and herself. She talks about literature at the dinner table. She learned about responsibility, commitment and doing her very best through extracurriculars like speech and theater.
For that, teachers, I thank you. (Tracy Briggs)

Ms Magazine puts the spotlight on poet Charlotte Mew.

According to Eavan Boland, Mew’s words about Emily Brontë apply to Mew as well:
“When first we read these songs, we are brought face to face with the woman who wrote them. And when once we know them and have been haunted by their rebellious and contending music it will not be possible to forget.” (Mary Meriam and Rita Mae Reese)

Onirik (France) reviews the recently-published Lettres choisies de la famille Brontë.

On connait surtout les soeurs Brontë à travers leurs romans, rares, précieux, quelques écrits de jeunesse, quelques poèmes, surtout pour Emily. La correspondance qui est restée est tout aussi rare et précieuse et permet de poser un filtre différent, d’adopter une perspective plus intime aux écrits. Les éditions Gallimard/Folio nous présentent une sélection de quelques unes de ces parcelles de vie.
Moyen principal d’avoir des nouvelles des siens à l’époque des soeurs Brontë, la correspondance est un art. Cela demande des efforts, cela coûte assez cher quand les revenus sont modestes, de même que le papier, plutôt onéreux. Il n’est donc pas d’exercice qui met plus le talent d’écrire à l’épreuve. Il faut être concis sans pour autant négliger les détails, et le style doit être suffisamment agréable pour ne pas paraître ennuyeux.
Mais avouons-le, ce que l’on cherche avant tout est toucher à l’intime, connaître des menus événements ou particularités qui nous rendront cette énigmatique fratrie moins nébuleuse, plus proche de nous. Parmi les 310 lettres retenues pour cette édition, on ne fait qu’effleurer le mystère. On en ressort avec un sentiment d’inachevé, qui nous pousse inexorablement à revenir vers leurs livres qui, eux, sont sans doute le plus fidèle témoignage de leurs âmes. (Claire) (Translation)

In The Telegraph, Sir Mark Elder, the music director of the Hallé Orchestra, shares how he's been entertaining himself during lockdown.

What I’m reading
[...] I’m discovering Jean Rhys’s Wide Sargasso Sea, a portrayal of the relationship between the white and black populations in Jamaica. I love her style. It’s not at all flowery, it just burns to the heart of things like acid.

Village Soup Knox on a local initiative:

Stewardship Education Alliance is happy to sponsor an event downtown called "Poetry on Windows," June 1 through 8. In the display of nature poems, many about the ocean, the group hopes to draw attention to World Ocean Day on June 8.
The Stewardship Education Alliance is working to educate local citizens about ways to improve and maintain the health of the local watershed. It hopes "Poetry on Windows" brings the community some beauty and light in these strange times and helps highlight the wonderful poets in our midst. [...]
 Mary Oliver and Anne Brontë are represented as well.

Mom with a Reading Problem posts about the audiobook of Jane Eyre read by Thandie Newton.