by Anthony Conty (Parkville, MD): “The Invention of Charlotte Brontë” is about true information. That makes it a biography, but it reads like fiction. Author Graham Watson takes on the tricky job of telling a story that so many already know. The 1830s were a fabulous time for art, and those of literary and theatre arts had a special relationship, and the Brontë family was at the forefront.
Brontë’s life had many “players” who appreciated her talent and brought their own skills to the table. They were intrigued by her and her disinclination toward romance. When she finally married, she came out of her shell and relished having someone care about her and take care of her. Arthur was not perfect, but perfect for her.
I feel guilty that the novel did not pick up for me until our heroine died. Everyone struggled to summarize her life and separate the gifted writer from the person. She was troubled and imperfect, and only the most unreasonable fans expected otherwise. Scholars and relatives alike tried to hide her skeletons from public consumption, unnecessary scrutiny, and unwanted attention.
Author Graham Watson faces quite a challenge in establishing a universe in which the Brontë family lived and died and in convincing readers to accept the results of Charlotte’s biography as an irrefutable fact. He paints some brilliant imagery along the way that makes me recommend this book, but only a true Brontë fan or history buff will appreciate it.
If biographies are your thing, read it. If “Jane Eyre” or “Wuthering Heights” rank among your favorites, put this on your TBR list. Watson has a knack for the English language and provides enough details about the literature to understand why this book is necessary. It is a quick read when you add up the notes and timelines from non-fiction.
