Novels of the Sisters Bronte

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Villette was first published in 1853 - on January 28th. In a letter to Miss Wooler, dated January 27 th, 1858, Charlotte Bronte wrote: Villette is to be published to-morrow. Its appearance has been purposely delayed hitherto, to avoid discourteous clashing with Mrs. Gaskell's new work. The story was received, as its writer's friend and biographer tells us, with one burst of acclamation; but the laudatory notices only served to make the author's heart swell with thankfulness to Him who takes note both of suffering, and work, and motives. But it seemed fated that each of her books should bring with it some jar in friendship or some disappointment in expectation. Jane Eyre was the centre of a very vortex of discussion; Shirley touched for its writer the weakness in Greorge Henry Lewes's character; and now Villette brought forth a review in the Daily News which disappointed her in Harriet Martineau.