Hi, I'm Amy 2 -- I live in Los Angeles, and work in the film industry. I've always loved the Brontes, and am a little tired of discussing PRIDE & PREJUDICE over on the Pemberley Board, so I thought I'd open up a new discussion here. Let me go on record as saying that I loved the 1983 Tim Dalton/Zelah Clarke adaptation of JANE EYRE, and thoroughly despised the recent William Hurt one. I have just recently reread JE, AGNES GREY, and WILDFELL HALL, as well as Mrs. Gaskell's LIFE, in case anyone would like to discuss. Welcome!

Amy, I am just getting into the Brontes. I have read Jane Eyre, albeit 6 years ago, so I don't know it as well as I do P&P (in terms of being able to quote from the book or the mini-series). I did read Wuthering Heights last year and thoroughly despised Heathcliff. By the time I had finished the book, I wanted to strangle him myself. I felt no sympathy for him whatsoever. He was so brutish and mean. I saw the JE adaptation with William Hurt and enjoyed it. But maybe that's because I haven't seen any other version. Can I ask why you hated it? Was he the problem or the girl who played JE? I am currently reading Tennant of Wildfell Hall after having viewed the series on the CBC about a month ago. All I can say is that I love this adaptation. It's very dark, and the camera angles can be dizzying at times but the acting is superb! I've developed quite a fancy for Toby Stephens (Gilbert Markham), he's quite irresistable!

Hi, I'm Terry and I'm helping Amy to set this up. Check out the new medieval conference which was just now created! This is a good thing, Amy.

LisaC. -- you mean, we DO exist outside of Pemberley?! I didn't like the Wm Hurt version of JE because I felt he was completely wrong for the part - I thought that T. Dalton much more perfectly captured the brooding, Byronic character of Rochester. Hurt was just too darned _nice_ -- he brought no dynamicism to the role. I also thought that the tall, willowy Charlotte Gainsborough was physically wrong for the "small plain" JE. Tell me, how was the recent adaptation of WILDFELL HALL? How did they deal with the extended flashback of Helen's life, when Gilbert is reading her lengthy missive about her life? I'm so glad that a friendly "face" has stopped by!

It was shown in three installments of one hour. When it begins, we see Helen fleeing her home with her son and settling into Wildfell. Everyone in the town is curious about the new tennant and the Markhams invite her over for a party where she quickly becomes disliked by some due to her steadfast convictions and harsh opinions. When she is offered a glass of wine, we see a flashback of a glass falling on the floor in front of Arthur, giving us a clue that they have experienced some bad times with liquor. ilbert becomes interested in her and starts spending more time with her to the chagrin of his sister, and the reverand. Rumors start spreading that her child Arthur has a resemblance to Mr. Lawrence and that Gilbert's attentions are another proof of her depravity. He believes none of this, thank God! He goes to visit her one night after the vicar's been there and declares his love for her and gives her a passionate kiss (sigh!) and she tells him to meet her on the moors where she'll explain everything. He overhears her talking to Lawrence and assumes what everyone else in the town does - that they are lovers. Next thing we see is Gilbert beating Lawrence and Helen running out of the house to stop them. She informs him then that Lawrence is her brother. This is where I am in the book, I haven't read Helen's story yet. In part 2, Helen gives Gilbert a diary which explains her situation. This is told in flashback. We see her as a young girl infatuated with Huntington, their marriage, which was good up until she becomes pregnant. We see her depressed state as Arthur leaves her for long periods of time and when he returns, after she's given birth, he comes back with a party of friends and basically has affairs literaly under her nose. Rupert Graves is absolutely chilling. He's mean, cold, and demanding. We see him throw He en on the floor and almost choke her to death. We also see his negative influence on little Arthur, forcing him to drink wine, shoot birds - "teach him to become a man of the world". I have to confess, that I don't watch part 2 that much, it depresses me quite a bit so I might be fuzzy on this. At the end, we return to the present, where little Arthur is being kidnapped and Helen is forced to return to her husband. Part 3, Gilbert learns from Lawrence that Helen is gone, and he travels by coach to see her, all the while still reading her diary. We learn that she couldn't handle her husband's conduct anymore and that she quitted her residence, dressed herself in widow's weeds, and returned to the place where she grew up. Gilbert sees her, and is quite shocked at the place she left, it's quite grand, almost like Pemberley. He tells her that he still loves her and that "happiness is not a sin". She tells him that she m st do what is morally right, and stay with her dying husband. Thank heavens he finally dies! She returns back to Wildfell, sees a wedding taking place and is crushed. So was I until, we learned that Eliza had married Richard Wilson instead! Gilbert runs to see her on the moors, and proposes to her. They kiss. The End!

Amy, I just wanted to add that I think board is great. I love Pemberley, but I think P&P has been talked to death. It's still my favorite book however, and I am totally infatuated with Mr. Darcy, but I have come to admire Gilbert Markham as well, especially after having watched Toby Stephens! I know nothing about the Brontes' life but it seems to me that it was ridden with sadness, for all of their books seem to be quite dark, not like Jane Auten's light and pleasing tone.

I thought it ironic, and a little distracting that the ending of the TV version of Tennant inverted the books ending. In the book, of course, it is Gilbert that seeks out Helen, sees the Wedding, and starts to turn back when he sees Helen's mansion (curiousl male difference to that of lizzie in P&P), and realises their hugh class differences.

LisaC: Thanks for the positive response! I dearly love P&P as well, but I just can't talk about it or the adaptation any more. With the Brontes, we have 6 new novels to discuss: JE, Villete, The Professor, WH, Agnes Grey, and Wildfell Hall, as well as three more fascinating authors!

I like the Timothy Dalton version so much I bought it. So far it is the only adaptation that really gets the novel IMHO. I have yet to see the new A + E one. What really strikes me about this book is how incredibly passionate it is, without having an incident of sex.

Great to have a Bronte Board! I have been a fan of their work or years. I have spent the last year working on the novels and the bios.....and even some other commentaries. I leave in about 3 weeks for a class at Oxford on the Brontes then to Haworth -- A life time dream come true. I know that one week will not be enough discussion for me tho! Did anyone know that a rather good musical of Jane Eyre is to open on Broadway in the spring? It opened here (Kansas) in experimental theater, is in Montreal at the moment and slated to open in MY in the spring......Not so bad, but I wonder what Charlotte and Emily must think of things like musicals. LisaQ

LisaQ -- glad to have you here! A musical of Jane Eyre? Oh brother -- my friend reports that a musical on Richard Lionheart is in the works in Greence as well. I suppose if you can do LES MIZ & TITANIC, then anything goes... I would dearly like to own the T. Dalton version of JE myself -- I see that amazon.com has it for $29.95, so next payday, that's where you'll find me. Again, welcome! Please use your Bronte knowledge to open as many new topics as you want on this Board. Just hit the button CREATE NEW TOPIC. Amy 2

LisaQ are you sure the JE is playing in Montreal now? I live there and have not heard of it. If it's playing in my neck of the woods I would gladly go see it. I know that the musical originated in Toronto and is heading to Broadway sometime soon. The only musical we had here was one based on Joan of Arc in French and in English.

Just a little intro to express my enthusiasm for this discussion group, and to explain that mine main interest is Anne, with a major sidelight on Mr. Bronte. Maria

Welcome Maria! Are you a Bronte listserver member? Please feel free to open a topic re: Anne -- I'm quite fascinated by her as well. I think there's much more to her than is popularly supposed -- it seems that someone with "a nunlike veil" could not have written WILDFELL HALL.

Hi, I�m Luisa, 17-year-old, from Portugal and I�m a big fan of Charlotte Bronte�s. Specially Jane Eyre which is probably my favourite novel. I like Jane Austen, but, like Amy, I�m a bit tired of hearing about her, so I�ve decided to come here and have a chat. ;-) I`ve read Jane Eyre (twice, but I read the Rochester parts-the dialogues-almost every week), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Villette (another wonderful book) and I want to read Shirley and Agnes Grey soon. Very soon! Anyway, I�m a romantic soul and the Bronte style appeals to me due to its poetry, even though I sometimes have trouble digesting the Gothic elements... Anyway, HELLO! :)

Hi, I�m Luisa, 17-year-old, from Portugal and I�m mostly a big fan of Charlotte Bronte�s. Specially Jane Eyre which is probably my favourite novel. I like Jane Austen, but, like Amy, I�m a bit tired of hearing about her, so I�ve decided to come here and have a chat. ;-) I`ve read Jane Eyre (twice, but I read the Rochester parts-the dialogues-almost every week), The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Villette (another wonderful book) and I want to read Shirley and Agnes Grey soon. Very soon! Anyway, I�m a romantic s ul and the Bronte style appeals to me due to its poetry, even though I sometimes have trouble digesting the Gothic elements... Anyway, HELLO! :)

Oops....sorry.

Greetings and salutations, Amy2! (P.S. Thank you for the video you mailed me recently!)While my "little grey cells" need the continued stimulus of Austenian irony, my "tormented soul" has long craved the passional mysticism of the Brontes on the Net...so your site here is most welcome! If you have not yet read the following novel, I'll get it for you, as it contains a formidable similarity to the Brontean style plus some audacious plot twisting of its own. (the following is from Amazon.com) Heathcliff : The Return to Wuthering Heights by Lin Haire-Sargeant Reprint Edition Mass Market Paperback, 292 pages Published by Pocket Books Publication date: October 1, 1993 Dimensions (in inches): 6.70 x 4.15 x .84 ISBN: 0671777017 List: $5.99 ~ Our Price: $4.79 ~ You Save: $1.20 (20%) Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days. Reviews and Commentary for Heathcliff : The Return to Wuthering Heights Synopsis: Heathcliff and Cathy are two of the world's most unforgettable lovers--immortalized in Emily Bronte's beloved novel Wuthering Heights. Now, in a style faithful to Bronte's original, Haire-Sargeant chronicles Heathcliff's adventures during his three-year absence from Wuthering Heights.

France, that sounds incredibly intriguing! No, I do not have that book. I'm glad that you & Luisa are able to appreciate the Bronte's unabashed romanticism along with Miss Austen's restraint!

Hi gang! Just wanted to let you all know that the Jane Eyre version with George C Scott is finally released I THINK it is avaliable through Critic Choice 800-544-9852. I have not tried to order it yet, so I say again I THINK!!:-) The Timothy Dalton version is on the shelves at Suncoast Video for about 29.95. I have to wait to purchase either (:-(boo-hoo) due to my husbands perception of a facination with another film.!!Plus as a mom, I usually purchase school supplies and shoes this time of year!! That will ruin any budget!! Take care all

Thanks for the tip, Anne! Do you know if WUTHERING HEIGHTS with Ralph Fienne is available on video? Thanks.

oops. I never cameback and checked this board. I'll ask tonight.

Thanks Anne! I am dying to know! I couldn't find it on a recent trip to the video store.

Hello! You can call me Niteslyr. I'm a high-school student that is studying British literature. I happened to have stumbled on this page after reading Wuthering Heights and I wanted a stronger philosophical, historical, and social background on what the story is based. I figure that if I can understand what was going on back then, I probably could enjoy the story better! (It was pretty good by itself) I'm kind of afraid here because there are a lot of Austenites around, and persoanlly, I really didn't like Pride and Prejudice. I thought the characters were weak... except for Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet, they were entertaining. Anyway, enough of my opnions for now. So far, this board is pretty cool, and I am finding myself absorbing some good information. Thanks and see ya around! PS The recent film adaption of Jane Eyre was terrible, is there any other one?

Welcome, Nitesklyr! Don't be afraid of the Austenites -- they won't bite! I think there is room in the big world of literature for everyone. As far as a better adaptation of JE, you betcha. Check out the '83 BBC production with Timothy Dalton and Zelah Clarke. Much, much better, IMHO...

Greetings. I wonder if I'm somewhat of a fool for introducing myself here, because I'm a "newbie" in every sense of the word. How so? Well, let me put it this way: I've merely read Jane Eyre and I'm halfway through Wuthering Heights. So what right do I have to be on a Bronte conference, huh? I know practically nothing about them. However, I found this conference after doing a web search on someone who's hard to find: Patrick Branwell Bronte. Yes, /he/ is my main interest here, not the glorious sisters (though they are glorious!). I found about him through them, of course, and for some strange reason, he utterly fascinates me. I've been perusing the topic on him, and I have learned much. Still, he seems almost like a ghost to me: there's so much I want to learn about him, but I have no idea where to turn. Any suggestions? For one t ing, does anyone know if a portrait of him exists? I know this is a rather odd reason to join a Bronte conference...but y'know when you find something, quite by chance, and it ignites a spark of passion in you? That's what Branwell Bronte did to me. Go figure. :) Well, my apologies, and I hope to hear from *somebody*.

Welcome, Areia! Everyone is welcome here, from experts to "newbies." This is what I would suggest: the most comprehensive portrait of Patrick I've read is in Juliet Barker's massive tome THE BRONTES. I think you will find out everything you want to do know about Patrick & more from her exhaustive account!!! There are also books of his own writings, which, quite frankly, are quite long-winded and not particularly good, but if you want to see where the Brontes' literary heritage came from, this is the p ace. THE MAID OF KILLKARNIE (sp?) is, I believe, the longest of these. Good luck!!

Hi, Areia. I'm a big Bronte enthusiast, but I also happened on the conference because I suddenly got interested in why brother Branwell flopped so bad. There's a lot of stuff in the Branwell Bronte topic that you might be interested in. I haven't drawn any conclusions yet, but am plowing my way through Barker's encyclopedic life of the Bronte family for more information. I think the thing that gets me about Branwell is that he came from the same ferment of creative activity as his sisters, and was as rolific as they for most of his life. It's just that in the two or so years that they were writing Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights and Tenant of Wildfell Hall, he as drunk. Oops! Those two years proved to be the last two on earth for three of the four siblings. It's so sad. I think you're going to love the Bronte novels. They're all so wonderful -- Anne's, too. Wuthering Heights is like an act of nature and, If you're at all prone to carrying a torch, Villette is really a pip.

And the great JANE EYRE & AGNES GREY too! What a remarkable family to give us so many immortal novels! One thought about Branwell -- as the only boy, he may have been overindulged by his father, aunt, & sisters -- there was always an assumption in the family that he would be a great success, even though he didn't particulary have a lot of talent (in painting). He also tended to be Byronic, weak, and vain, all of which lead to his downfall. I'm inclined to think that Anne & Charlotte, in particular, had more of a core of steel which allowed them to deal with their lot (governessing) & continue literary work as well. Just a personal opinion. . .

Hello again, to both Amy and Michael, Thanks for the enthusiastic responses! I return from my computer tonight after a sudden rash desire to go seek out materials that included Branwell, partially inspired by Amy's suggestion to check out the Barker book. It is quite a tome, isn't it? After flipping through it, however, I came across another book: _Dark Quartet: The Story of the Brontes_, by Lynne Reid Banks. Have either of you-- or anyone else for that matter-- heard of/read this book? It's not a new book, so it may be out of print or someth ng, but it is a fictional account of the Bronte's history. Quite interesting, and it seems like it will be a good introduction to them. I'd like to know your opinions on this book. Oh yes...and _Wuthering Heights_. I would say it's marvelous, but that wouldn't do it justice. Gettin' into the swing o' things, Areia P.S. Still looking for a good pic of Branwell. I've seen a few little sketches, but is there anything more?

I think most of the sketches we have of Branwell are his own. Yes, I saw that DARK QUARTET book up at the Bronte parsonage -- I think it's an older bio. The Barker really is a huge tome, but if you're interested in Branwell, I think it's the ultimate source. Good luck!

Hi I just found this board through pemberley. I'm 16 and I've loved the Bronte's books ever since the first time I've read them, Emily Bronte's in particular. Recently I picked up a book of poetry by the Bronte's that i absolutely had to buy as it not only included poetry by Charlotte, Emily and Anne, but also some pieces by Patrick Branwell. (Not that I wouldn't have bought it anyway, I just needed to justify it) My favourite book is Wuthering Heights. I can't think of much else to say. I have a book of unifinished novels by Charlotte Bronte, which left me wanting to know what happened to Emma.

Dear friends I just surfed in from Pemberley, and I feel there are kindred spirits here. I will be back soon. Love AnnaG

I wish somebody would write a new Bront� biography so we'd have something to discuss again!

I am writing a research paper on Anne Bronte and was wondering if any of you have read The Scribner Comparsion to the Brontes by Barbara and Gareth Lloyd Evans. If so, did you find that it had useful information about Anne and her works. I have read many other books about Anne and her sisters and the information seems to vary depending on the author, especially the information about her childhood. If any of you have suggestions on a book with good information on Anne I would appreciate your help. Thank you.

Hello...I've been looking for something like this and have only come across a discussion page which was populated by a massive group of high schoolers looking for help because they hadn't read Jane Eyre for school. Now, after my initial glee in finding this conference, I am wondering how active this site is. It appears there have been no entries for quite a while. I hope it is merely a temporary lull... I am very enthusiastic about the Brontes and have read all I could get my hands on. Until recently I had concentrated on the works of C.& E. and their bios but I have ordered Anne's novels and I'm excited about discovering something of the more forgotten sister. Has anyone read "A Chainless Soul" by Katherine Frank? I'm in the middle of it. She proposes that Emily was anorexic. Although there is a considerable amount of conjecture throughout the book, I felt that she might have something there. I think if it is a truth, it was not the kind of self mutilation arising from low self esteem which plag es some of our young women in this day, but probably sprang from her passionate need for control, esp. when she was placed in situations in which she was away from home, away from her usual liberty. Does anyone have thoughts on this? I'm so glad I found you all!

You're right Lenzi, we're getting ready for a second coming and you've come along just in time. I'm going to make our main discussion site austen.com instead of spring.net, I plan to phase this change in over the next year. And we want to be a place for folks to come and talk about great literature and the media that has sprung from this great body of work. You may want to introduce yourself in the porch conference and the drool conference (strange as it may seem, it would be a good place to talk up this conference). Invite others you know who love Jane Austen, I would like nothing more to see a resurgence here.

Glad to find this site. I'm also a Bronte fan. I hope to visit Haworth in June of this year.

Glad you're here!

Hello. Just spent an hour or so browsing this site & as a newly revived Bronte fan I've found it fascinating. Recently read Barker's biography, which set me off reading all of Charlotte's novels. Villette's now my favourite, although I've known and loved Jane Eyre all my life. Reading Mrs Gaskell's biog now and it's very interesting, esp as a contrast to Barker's objective academic account. Not sure if its very healthy to be as interested in long dead literary family who lived such private restricted lives, unlike my own, and yet what a story their lives were! I find it very hard not to keep boring friends & family with my recently acquired knowledge too eg; A couple of evenings ago, on a boat party travelling East down the Thames in London, I couldn't help thinking of Charlotte's trips to Brussels which started in a similar way (experiences she vividly recalled in Villette). My companions, being non-addicts, smiled indulgently as I rambled on about this, so, as I send these thoughts out into the Net it's i the hope that some more kindred spirits read them and maybe even reply to a nervous newcomer.

Hi! I have been looking around, and read some of the posts here for a while. I didn`t think there had been anyone writing here for quite a while...glad to see I was wrong! I to am a bronte fan, and my favourite book has to be Villette, although Jane Eyre comes right behind:) The end of Villette is wonderful, but I was terrified when I first read it, since it came as a total chock! I have read Barker`s "Bronte -a life in letters", and I loved it! It was great learning of the author and novels in Charlottes own words! Have you read "A passionate life" by Lyndall Gordon? I think it�s a wonderful Charlotte-biography. I�m very glad I found this place!

Welcome tess, glad you are checking in.

Hi, This is my first time to do this so please excuse any ignorance. I am desperately searching for a movie that I saw a small bit of on the Classic Movie Channel about the Bronte sisters. It was biograpical and was probably made in the mid to late 40's. Olivia DeHaviland played Charlotte. I just absolutly hated that I had to miss this movie and have not been able to find it or even get an accurate title I guess. I thought it was named Beloved. But I've searched everywhere under that title and have not been able to find it. If you have any suggestions I will gladly take them. I love P&P, JE, WH so much that it seems every movie I've seen about them is good. I have my favorites of course but I just love all of them! Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

(Rowena)..about the Bronte sisters. It was biograpical and was probably made in the mid to late 40's. Olivia DeHaviland played Charlotte.... and have not been able to find it or even get an accurate title I guess. I thought it was named Beloved. But I've searched everywhere under that title and have not been able to find it. If you have any suggestions I will gladly take them. DEVOTION 1946 http://us.imdb.com/Title?0038474

First time on this site and having the internet at home, only read a few comments. Like to agree with amy 2 that the William Hurt adaptation of Jane Eyre was horrible, I think it captured nothing of the atmosphere of the experiences in the novel, I'm sure Charlotte would have agreed. However have to agree that I think that the Timothy Dalton version was nearer to the romance and honesty of characters as book. (nothing to do with it being the lovely Timothy Dalton of course).

Evelyn are you referring to the Orson Wells version of Jane Eyre?

Hey all, I'm Ravey and I've just finished re-reading Wuthering heights. I hadn't read it since i was a kid, and I definitely enjoyed it a lot more as an adult. I've also read Jane Eyre a few times...but I haven't read anything else by the Bronte sisters...and I don't know a whole lot about them. I am interested in learning though, particularly in Emily, since she always seemed the more interesting to me (probably because I liked her book the best) And I confess to being a complete Heathcliff fan...

Hey. I'm Sarah and I actually got into the Brontes because I ended up seeing the muscial version of Jane Eyre. I was happy to discover that the book was five million times better. I knew pretty much nothing about the sisters, so once I'd read JE, I found the next most famous, Wuthering Heights, which I am in the process of rereading. So Emily kinda won me over and WH is my current favorite, but I really need to read Anne's stuff.

Welcome, I hope this starts a trend!

Good evening...or, I suppose, morning by now, to everyone who may be lurking here. It seems to be mostly dormant at this point, but this conference could do with a bit of revival. I shall try to do my small part to "Wake [this board] whose spirit lingers, Sleeping silently and still," while punning badly all the way. So hello, and thank you for having me!

Oh, and sorry for being a pretentious idiot about it.

A bit of revival, how about bypass surgery? Thanks for being so interested, can we coronate you as Queen of Bronte? Seriously, this conference needs a host like Drool has with Karen. Are you up to this? I don't mean to be flippant!

It looks like this conference is picking up a bit!

Yeah, we just need a few die hard Bronte fans to migrate back. It was hopping once upon a time.