Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte

Title: Agnes Grey
Author: Anne Bronte (English, 1820-1849)
Originally published: 1847
Page count: 153
Dates read: 2/10/19-2/15/19
2019 book goal progress: 5 out of 41
Back to the Classics category: 19th Century Classic
Read my other Bronte Sister book reviews.
Read my other book reviews from the challenge HERE.


Description on back of book:
Ages Grey is a trenchant expose of the frequently isolated, intellectually stagnant and emotionally starved conditions under which many governesses worked in the mid-nineteenth century.

First sentence:
"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity, that the dry, shriveled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

Favorite quotes:
"I can conceive few situations more harassing than that wherein, however you may long for success, however you may labor to fulfill your duty, your efforts are baffled and set at naught by those beneath you, and unjustly censured and judged by those above."

"If you cannot feel positive affection for those who do not care for you, you can at least try to do to them as you would they should do unto you: you can endeavor to pity their failings and excuse their offenses, and to do all the good you can to those about you."

"It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves, or care about it in others. If the mind be well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior. So said the teachers of our childhood; and so say we to the children of the present day. All very judicious and proper, no doubt; but are such assertations supported by actual experience?"

Review:

This is a simple, straightforward, and predictable book - despite this, I would not consider it at all bland. On the contrary, I found it very enjoyable and relaxing. I consider myself as having a similar disposition as Agnes Grey and I was a nanny for 5 years - so I greatly related to the main character. Agnes' mom is inspirational and I have a high respect for her. As soon as Mr. Weston was mentioned, I fell in love with him too.

One of the themes is that it's not often the fault of the governess that the kids are unruly, but because of the parents - which I agree with. Another theme is that one should be smart with finances and plan for the future. It is a short, wholesome story that has a wonderful happy ending.

Now I'm off to read another book... but since a review should be more about the author of the book than about the writer of the blog, I will let Anne Bronte have the last words:

"The best way to enjoy yourself is to do what is right and hate nobody. The end of Religion is not to teach us how to die, but how to live; and the earlier you become wise and good, the more of happiness you secure."