The Moor, the Merrier

Ten facts you should know about the Brontës on Bookriot:

Who were the Brontës?

Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, and Anne Brontë are three Victorian authors with whom you’re probably already somewhat familiar. You probably know Charlotte Brontë and her novel Jane Eyre. And yes, you’ve definitely heard of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Perhaps you’ve perused Anne Brontë’s works, like Agnes Grey. Heck, you might even know about their artist brother Branwell Brontë.

But the Brontë family’s life was so rich and fascinating that there’s probably plenty about literature’s most interesting family that you don’t yet know. And I’m here to tell you about it. So grab a cup of tea and settle in for story time.

I studied the Brontës — specifically Emily Brontë — for my PhD in English, so a lot of the facts listed below are from my trusty brain bank. But since brain banks aren’t always so reliable…For confirmation on specific dates, names, etc., I primarily referenced The Brontë Myth by Lucasta Miller, which I discuss more at the end of this article! (...) (Emily Martin)

Manchester's Finest recommends a weekend walk through Brontë Country:

Taking inspiration from the dramatic landscape right on their doorstep, the Brontë sisters penned some of the world’s most famous literary classics – from Jaye Eyre to Wuthering Heights – while living in the area.

The wild Pennine moors and deep valleys of the area provide for walks that are sometimes as challenging as they are stunning, with the addition of many Brontë-related sights and landmarks along the way.

Your main base of operations should be the little village of Haworth, where the Brontë family lived and which is now home to the excellent Brontë Parsonage Museum – where you can take a tour of their old house and learn what life was like in the area all those years ago. (...) (Ben Brown)

Playbill announces that Emma Rice's production of Wuthering Heights that will open in Bristol next October (and eventually will be premiered at the National Theatre next year) has completed the casting process:

A co-production with the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, and York Theatre Royal, the stage adaptation will begin previews at the Bristol Old Vic October 11. An official opening is set for October 20, with performances running through November 6. Performances November 3–6 will be live-streamed. The play will subsequently transfer to the York Theatre Royal November 9–20 and play the National in February and March 2022.

The cast will be led by Lucy McCormick as Cathy with Sam Archer as Lockwood/Edgar Linton, Nandi Bhebhe as The Moor, TJ Holmes as Robert, Ash Hunter as Heathcliff, Craig Johnson as Mr. Earnshaw/Dr. Kenneth, Jordan Laviniere as John, Kandaka Moore as Zillah, Katy Owen as Isabella Linton/Linton Heathcliff, Tama Phethean as Hindley Earnshaw/Hareton Earnshaw, and Witney White Frances Earnshaw/Young Cathy. Mirabelle Gremaud is the swing. (Andrew Gans)

The Wall Street Journal talks about how the fans influence series developments. Did you know that this behaviour is more universal than you thought?

'Jane Eyre' started out as 'The Moor, the Merrier.' ”  (Joe Queenan)

Lol.

Jezebel talks about Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

Bold material for a woman writer in Victorian England; as bold in its way as putting her own name on the title page. Barrett Browning always did so, although most of her distinguished women contemporaries preferred a male pseudonym (the Brontë sisters as the Bell brothers, George Eliot, George Sand) or anonymity (“the author of Frankenstein” or, in Jane Austen’s case, “a lady”).  (Fiona Sampson)

The Times publishes the obituary of the Italian writer and publisher Roberto Calasso (1941-2021):

His grandfather’s extensive library was a formative influence. Calasso recalled stealing from it a copy of Les fleurs du mal, the poems by Baudelaire, while his encounter with Wuthering Heights made him appreciate what passion was.

El Imparcial (Spain) compares the situation in Afghanistan to Wuthering Heights:

En esta cuestión de formación nacional racional, principalmente, lo que hay que tomar en consideración es la fuerza persistente del pasado en los estados, que al final, se quiera o no, es lo que acaba triunfando y esto se puede ilustrar mejor con Cumbres Borrascosas (Wuthering Heights) de Emily Brontë, parodia gótica de amor, donde desde el principio está anunciado cual va a ser el resultado, con fecha, nombre y apellidos grabados en el muro principal del lugar, entremezclados “entre una selva de animales mitológicos hechos pedazos y angelitos juguetones”. (...)
Total, que, a final, Heathcliff termina arrastrado por la corriente telúrica de aquel sitio tan ventilado, la cual no discurre de frente ni de lado sino que va para atrás, como en Afganistán, de vuelta otra vez al pasado. (Juan Carlos Barros) (Translation)

The love gothic parody still hurts when we re-read it.

El Nacional (Venezuela) interiews the writer Jorge Sánchez López:

Mariela Días Romero: ¿Cuáles han sido los escritores que le han dejado una huella tanto como lector y escritor?
J.S.L.: (...) También debo de tener una influencia, más o menos consciente, de la literatura gótica y del Romanticismo, incluyendo a Charlotte Brontë, a Mary Shelley o a Edgar Allan Poe, muy presentes en Nunca debiste atravesar esos parajes y Hielo seco.

Le Soir (Belgium) interviews the author Cécile Coulon: 

Mais dans une dimension de thriller à la Daphné du Maurier et de nature oppressante comme chez les sœurs Brontë. Et c'est très réussi. (Jean-Claude Vantroyen) (Translation)

Not surprisingly, Bookriot lists the most translated books from all countries, and Dominica's is Wide Sargasso Sea. Inspiremore includes a Charlotte Brontë quote on a list of powerful women's quotes. I Had the Write Idea posts about Wuthering Heights. Let's Fox About It reviews an audiobook copy of Rose Lerner's The Wife at the Attic.

Finally, let us introduce you to Emily Brontë, a cat for adoption listed on petfinder.