Rediscovering the Bronte Sisters with Syrie James' Secret Diary

Look who was having a bit of an ice-cream social up there on the wild and windy Yorkshire moors, circa 1988? Yes, that's me, Scribbles Daily, on the far right, next to my partner in crime at journalism school, Bev (now a very clever television program developer in London) her sister Claudine (today's top make-up artist to the Brit stars) and my equally dear friend Marnie, who currently runs a hugely successful community education garden project in Islington, North London! As for the girl on the far left, sorry, absolutely no idea. My sister Kerry (who has since blown us all off the rugged crannies of Heathcliffe's Moors with her lofty, literary career) was there with us at the time, but clearly took the photo that she's not in. At least she didn't nick my 99'er Mr Whippy Soft Scoop off me beforehand!

Reason for tracking down this relic from the photo archives stuffed unceremoniously under the cupboards in my laundry room is that I've just finished reading Syrie James' Secret Diary of Charlotte Bronte.

Take it from me, you really have had to have trekked the rocky moors from the Bronte Parsonage up to the ruins that so long ago inspired Emily Bronte to pen Wuthering Heights to truly appreciate this insightful and richly emotive novel. 

I was transported. And this can be a most pleasant experience on occasion. The Bronte sisters were so removed from the world and yet so compelling to get to know. If you've ever been a Bronte reader, then I'd thoroughly recommend Syrie James' book. If you've never dabbled in Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, what's stopping you?

Footnote: quoting email received from my friend Claire Eustace, yet another English rose transplanted here in Sonoma County: "Love today’s photo on your blog!  It all looks very familiar – down to the Mr. Whippy!  Thought I would mention this, as you are such a Bronte fan; I am related to the Brontes – my great-great-great-great grandmother’s sister was their mother – so I guess a cousin of sorts!  Their maiden name was Branwell and they were from  Penzance and the surrounding area, which is where all my mother’s side of the family is from (and my mum moved back there 20 years ago). Now, how cool is that?
  

Comments

[lindsey]

Sounds great. Not quite as obsessed with the Brontes as I am with Ms Austen, but I've been intrigued about their family for a long time, in particular about how their brother fitted in to their lives.