While it doesn't have the literary wildness, narrative uniqueness, or romantic passion of her sisters' first books, the loosely autobiographical first novel by the youngest Brontë sister, Anne, is zippy, enjoyable, and frequently very funny. As in Jane Eyre, we get an inside look at how horribly governesses are treated in Victorian England, even when they have hearts of gold like Agnes. I truly enjoyed the characterization of the teenage daughters at her second post (and the sweet comeuppance of the eldest daughter's marriage) and while the meet cute at the end of the book was so sweet it made my teeth hurt, it was well earned. If you are only going to read one Brontë novel, this is probably not the one I'd recommend, but I still enjoyed it! ( )

A decent read, but awfully predictable. The "romance" between Agnes and Mr. Weston wasn't exactly sizzling, but it was sweet. ( )

For those who find reality boring, don't read this book. But for those who find awe in every moment, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece. ( )

Agnes has big dreams and she wants to be a governess, able to shape young lives and make changes to her own family's financial situation. However, the career does not live up to her expectations and already she encounters difficult parents while tutoring their two children. The second family are easier but one of the children later has different views on marriage compared to Agnes, arguing their thoughts on the clergyman. Written under the pseudonym, Acton Bell, Anne Brontë demonstrates life and the difference in status in the 19th Century while providing readers insight from Agnes's perspective.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. ( )

Agnes Grey is the story of a young woman, the daughter of an ailing clergyman, who becomes a governess. She is first employed with terrible people, but is let go; afterwards she spends several years as the governess of two young women, much spoiled and greedy, but not bad girls for all that. In her second placement she meets a young curate, and falls in love with him.

I've read several Bronte novels, but never one by Anne Bronte. It was an audiobook, but still a lot to handle in the 21st century. The piety of the main character, and the pedantic nature of the novel had me groaning. I have nothing against piety, but it was overworked in Agnes' character. Also, although she is the star feature of the novel, she looks at all who live other than she does as inferior to herself, which I see as a distinct fault.

I listened to the book with interest, but it was difficult for me to truly like the story. It is the sort of "improving" novel that I think may have been designed for the teaching of youngsters, and which I think deliberaely resembles a religious tract. I am pleased to have read more work by the Bronte sisters, and to have added Anne to the sisters whose works I have rea ( )