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Jane or Agnes?

When I was at the cabin in Idaho for my honeymoon last year, I spent my days reading Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. At first it took me a while to get into the story and then about a third of the way (and half way through my trip) into it I began to see why so many love it. Why it has found its way into the list of classics that will never die away. It is definitely a story that has withstood the test of time. It is one that women of all ages can and do turn to when they are looking for a story that puts a bit of a spin on love and romance that is different from other romantic stories. It really is a great piece of writing and one that I would have no problem reading again one day. But I have to say that this week it got surpassed in favor for Agnes Grey by Charlotte's sister Anne.

I can't really put my finger on what made Agnes Grey so wonderful in my eyes. Maybe it's because it was written by a younger sister who got lost in the shadows at times in her family, especially when it came to her writing and the favor it was received and at times denied. Or maybe it's because it's a story with just enough detail, trouble, love, faith, family and personality to hold one's attention and keep the pages turning. Or maybe it's because it is beautifully written and easy to love. Or just maybe it's all of those things combined.

Most of the classics I buy are from the Barnes and Nobles Classics Collection. It's a collection that combines the story with a detailed introduction, timeline, questions and comments section from someone who has a fancy degree in literature. I love these editions because of the added information, not to mention they are very reasonably priced both in paperback and on Nook. Anyway... in my copy of Agnes Grey a man by the name of Fred Schwarzbach did the introduction and he said that some people will say or argue that Anne's first novel was (and is) far too religious, it's far too simple or it's far too realistic for her to have actually been the one to write it... But yet those are things that make it great and all of those things that people argue against are perfect because she wrote out of her own experiences and her own faith!

I absolutely loved how she wrote it more as a journal than a narrative story. The feel, the tone, the emotion was much better because of it. It was more like a conversation that I could listen in on and be a part of. I thought that Anne had a great way of painting the picture in a simple, straight to the point way. Much better than Charlotte did in Jane Eyre (but that is just my opinion). I saw this most when she was describing the families or jumping over periods of time so as to not bore the reader. She wrote what she thought would be important for the story as a whole. And she did it incredibly well.

The way she ended the story... Agnes finds her happy ending with Mr. Weston... I just smiled and held the book in my hands thinking about what I had just read over the course of 4 days (it was a busy week which didn't allow for much reading time). It was such a simple love story. It wasn't full of drama or endless talking or unnecessary flirtation. It was sweet, simple, perfect. And it left me thinking about how I wish there were more "romance" stories like that. More stories where the chivalry and respect shine through in the relationships more than the crazy personalities or the endless games that are played. Stories where men and women find a simple, yet true and lasting love.

Agnes Grey surpassed Jane Eyre in my mind this week. It was an incredibly beautiful story. One that I thoroughly enjoyed and will read again. It may not be counted as one of my favorites. But it is definitely an amazing classic. And it makes me excited to read her other novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall even though it is said to be a bit more complex and risky than Agnes Grey. But I think it will be worth it.

Comments

  1. I've been wanting to read Agnes Grey, but I've hardly heard anything about it, so it's great to see such a glowing review!

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