Life Lessons From the Bronte Sisters
"The million-dollar question is why the Brontës and their novels are still so popular, while so many of their contemporaries have fizzled and died in our collective memories. Public interest often begins with the Brontës themselves—three impossibly tiny sisters secluded on the Moors, pretending to be men, writing epic fiction that defied the parameter of their own experiences. Yet much of our collective obsession has to do with what we don’t know. Despite exhaustive research over the last one hundred and fifty years, there are still enough holes in our knowledge to breed myths and fantasy. The picturesque romance of the Brontës depends on the incomplete picture we have; as in real life, romance and mystery go hand in hand.
My own obsession with the Brontë legacy was unhealthy enough to inspire me to write a novel on the subject. "
The "three lessons" in this article by Catherine Lowell could be seen also as lessons for writers, about writing. Not in any technical detailed sense, but addressing those areas of self-regard which often rise up to bedevil creative workers and their process.
I was interested in this also because it happens that I am reading Lowell's novel, The Madwoman Upstairs, right now, in an uncorrected proof I was given access to. I have to say that so far it is thoroughly delightful and entertaining even if you know nothing of the Brontes and could care less. It was released sometime this month.
"The million-dollar question is why the Brontës and their novels are still so popular, while so many of their contemporaries have fizzled and died in our collective memories. Public interest often begins with the Brontës themselves—three impossibly tiny sisters secluded on the Moors, pretending to be men, writing epic fiction that defied the parameter of their own experiences. Yet much of our collective obsession has to do with what we don’t know. Despite exhaustive research over the last one hundred and fifty years, there are still enough holes in our knowledge to breed myths and fantasy. The picturesque romance of the Brontës depends on the incomplete picture we have; as in real life, romance and mystery go hand in hand.
My own obsession with the Brontë legacy was unhealthy enough to inspire me to write a novel on the subject. "
The "three lessons" in this article by Catherine Lowell could be seen also as lessons for writers, about writing. Not in any technical detailed sense, but addressing those areas of self-regard which often rise up to bedevil creative workers and their process.
I was interested in this also because it happens that I am reading Lowell's novel, The Madwoman Upstairs, right now, in an uncorrected proof I was given access to. I have to say that so far it is thoroughly delightful and entertaining even if you know nothing of the Brontes and could care less. It was released sometime this month.
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