Review of "Emily" by Dilys Gater

I borrowed three books from the library about the Brontes for the January Challenge. I just finished "Emily" by Dilys Gater which told the story of the Brontes from childhood, including their Gondal and Angria writings, their trials and tribulations at trying to live outside Haworth, illnesses, time abroad in Belgium, and the death in September of Branwell followed by Emily's decline late in the year. What a crying shame that the reviewers didn't appreciate Wuthering Heights during her lifetime, it was altogether too dark for the reviewers to commend it. Sad too, that Charlotte (who had the trustworthy and pleasant publishers) got such great reviews for Jane Eyre (and 500 pounds at least for it), while Anne and Emily's publishers gave them a pittance. For the last challenge I read a book on their father's life, amazing fellow too, he spent most of his life in his study, even had his meals solitarily there, and went to bed early while the girls did their writing unbeknownst to him. Amazing too how he had cataract surgery so long ago, but how sad it must have been for him to lose all his children so young.

It was an easy book to read, and I enjoyed reading it even though I knew the ending would be very sad!!

Now I'm trying to decide on the February challenge: Charles Dickens. I have read a few of his books (e.g. Oliver Twist, David Copperfield) but it would be nice to read one of his less famous books. Perhaps Bleak House, but I do have this on DVD to watch too. I'll keep you posted!

WIPocalypse 2012

I joined Measi's great challenge (I favour this sort rather than the sort where you start a huge number of projects!! Guess why: well, I have SO many projects on the go...and never seem to finish any of them).

So I chose just 3 projects to start with:
1. Persian bookmark
2. The Token by LongDogs (to finish pages 1 and 2)
3. A new start: Cherry Blossom biscornu by The Sweetheart Tree.

So, drum roll, don't fall over please! I have JUST finished the Persian bookmark!!! My first finish for months and months, thank you so much Measi, I needed a kick-start and now really feel like I have accomplished something!!

For the next week, I think I'll progress on projects 2 and 3 then will go through my stash and find another SMALL project to finish.

Happy Stitching
Julie

2012 Wipocalypse

Well as most of my goals seem to vanish quietly without being achieved, I am going to just post three goals for the WIPocalypse.

1. Persian bookmark by Anchor
2. Cherry Blossoms biscornu by Sweetheart Tree (can you believe it, my first biscornu!!).
3. The Token by LongDogs, to finish pages 1 and 2.

Then when I finish one of them I'll add another one!!

Thanks so much to Measi for organising the

2012 Wipocalypse!!

 

cheers

Julie in Oz where it is 40 C  :(