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Agnes Grey (Oxford World's Classics)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks (1998-05-21)
ISBN: 0192834789
EAN: 9780192834782
Dewy Decimal #: 823.7
Paperback: 248 pages
Edition: New edition
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Customer Reviews
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Goveness in Strife
Rating  (3)
Date: 2008-05-28
I had the pleasure of reading this book this weekend. I had come to the book expecting a poor man's version of Jane Eyre but though it is set in the life of a goveness, the story is much more subtle. It really explores what the life of a goveness what like. The descriptions of the brats that our poor protaganist is charged with the education of is spot on. (For anybody who complains about the children of today, take a look at this lot.) The isolation and the cruelties bestowed upon them. There is no dashing Rochester, no mad woman in the attic, no mystery to be solved. Just the reader and the experience. It was refreshing and heartbreaking. However, it need some ummmmph. Agnes doesn't take a stand, doesn't fight for what she wants and I found that aspect very frustrating. The romance was underplayed and folded gently throughout the narrative but I wasn't shouting 'yes!' when they united at the end. Mr Weston was a bit wet to be honest but because you like Agnes you want what she wants.
All-in-all different but not enouggh
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A modest version of Jane Eyre
Rating (3)
Date: 2008-03-20
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I cannot say I do not enjoy "Agnes Grey", but I find the plot two linear and slightly deficient in suspense. If compared to her sister's governess novel, this one is quite inferior in my opinion. Anne Brontë's talent will shine more clearly in "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall".Beautiful prose though, and satisfactory happy ending to make up for the heroine's suffering.
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Simple narrative about the plight of the C19 governess
Rating (3)
Date: 2007-11-28
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
Agnes Grey suffers probably the worst critical reputation of all the Bronte sisters' novels apart from Charlotte's The Professor, though hardly any would call it a bad book.
This is a simple narrative of the trials of a poor governess, substantially based upon the author's own experiences. Apparently it is the best extant contemporary evidence we have of that occupation - the only 'respectable' occupation open to an educated woman who did not marry in the mnid C19. It expounds, somewhat pleadingly, the impossible position in which the typical governess is placed.
The narrator herself is an infuriatingly moral, religious girl. You sometimes find yourself wishing she would just lighten up a bit. Passion comes in the smallest flickers: this is a cool, detatched book.
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A charming, simple tale of Victorian England
Rating  (4)
Date: 2007-04-01
3 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
This was a simple, albeit enjoyable tale of Agnes Grey, a younger daughter who seeks her way in the world employed as a governess. I understand this tale is based upon Ms. Bronte's own experiences and brings to light the snobbery of the upper class along with the often degrading way that the servants are treated by the same.
The first family literally has the children from h***, the second family being not quite as abusive, but still treat the servants as second class people. The young Misses Murray are self centered and thoughtless, particularly the elder (who gets what she deserves in the end).
I have been reading a book called the Selected Works of the Bronte sisters, and it's been interesting to compare the sisters' writing styles. Anne's is much closer to Chartlotte's, with the gorgeous flowing prose, but not quite so littered with the large words and the smattering of french.
Well worth your time checking out for a pleasant, short read.
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a beautifully written book.
Rating  (5)
Date: 2007-02-14
1 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book provides a wonderful insight into the lives of gently bred women who find they suddenly have to support themselves in a male /class dominated society.
Short enough to read in a few days and a much easier read than Wuthering Heights and the like. Yes some of the characters are caricatures, Agnes a little too good to be true and there isn't much plot compared to her sisters Jane Eyre but its still a wonderfully simple tale that I never wanted to end.
Funny how some things never change - the problems the governess had then can be seen in the problems teachers have today- low pay, expected to produce exceptional results yet given no power to discipline your pupils
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Retail Price: £5.99
Amazon.com's Price:£0.01
That's 100% Off!
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