• The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

  • By: Syrie James
  • Narrated by: Bianca Amato
  • Length: 16 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (628 ratings)

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The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte  By  cover art

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

By: Syrie James
Narrated by: Bianca Amato
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Publisher's summary

From Syrie James, the best-selling author of The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, comes a novel that captures the passionate heart and restless soul of Charlotte Brontë—the author who gave the world Jane Eyre while longing for a soulmate.

©2009 Syrie James (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“James makes sense of the events of Charlotte’s life, tells a story that captures the language and feel of the times, and keeps the novel moving at a fast pace … a captivating and entertaining read.” ( Feathered Quill Book Reviews)

What listeners say about The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Twice a year

This is my absolute favorite book and an audio narration!!! A lovely, sad, witty, and engaging heart full story of the challenging life of one of the most famous writers, it captivates the reader from the opening sentence and holds firm until the last word. I highly recommend this marvelous book that I listened to twice a year, and have just finished for the fifth (!) time. Normally, I never re-read books.

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34 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

Every emotion - from tears to chuckling outloud make listening to this book entertaining and fun. It opens a door into, not just life at the time of the Bronte's, Charlotte's struggles and adventures in her life, her writing and styles of her times. I was glad Syrie James included senerios of accepting the plight of being a woman at that time, working around its handicap and the start of slow progression to change women's status. Don't miss this book!

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26 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful story and great narration

If you know anything about the Bronte sisters, or the Bronte family and have enjoyed the writings then I suggest you get this book. I was so drawn in by the emotions of the family interactions and the feelings of love and loyalty. The narrator Bianca Amato did a wonderful job and I was so very touched by this piece I went back to re-read the Bronte sisters works. Thank you Audible this is one of your best.

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16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Man, what a good book

What made the experience of listening to The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed it immensely! Even if you aren't into the Bronte's books, this is good on it's own.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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A TRUE GEM

Would you consider the audio edition of The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte to be better than the print version?

The story is so wonderful and so well written that I would think that the print version would be an excellent option. However, Bianca Amato does an amazing job in bringing the characters the life.

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that it was a true story about an amazing person and her family. I usually do not like true stories and I bought this book several months ago and had put off listening to it - what a mistake that was. The story of Charlotte Bronte and her sisters whom she loved so much has touched my heart.

Which scene was your favorite?

This is a hard question. As I run through the various scenes in my mind, there are so many that I will probably never forget. I enjoyed Charlotte and Mr. Nicholas first walk together and the discussion of exactly what he said at the dinner table that made her hate him for so long.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I stayed up until 2 in the morning listening to the book when I got to the part where her brother and sisters die within such a short amount of time with one another and I sobbed. It was so sad that these young, talented people died so young.

There were several places in the book where I smiled to myself and even laughed, but I think the most extreme would have to be the death of her family.

Any additional comments?

AMAZING! FANTASTIC! WONDERFUL! Touching! Sweet! I loved this story and I know that I will listen to it again.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • M
  • 04-16-14

what a lovely story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would recommend this audiobook to a friend, and if I could convince a man to read it...a man friend.

What other book might you compare The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte to and why?

I cannot think of another book that compares other than any Charlotte Bronte novel as parts of the diary of her life appear in her books.

What does Bianca Amato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her voice is truly 19th century English with a slight Irish accent...she does accents very well...and for a woman to do a man's voice...she's remarkable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no..not one moment, many moments and they all tie into one another.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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A truly joyful experience

Would you listen to The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte again? Why?

I rarely re-listen to audiobooks, so it's doubtful, but I did truly enjoy this book.

What did you like best about this story?

I was completely unfamiliar with the life of the Brontes going into this, and the book brought the characters so much to life that I developed a real interest in them, an interest which has continued even after I've finished the book. I felt that all of the characters were people dear to me, and I was sad when the story ended. Excellent character development.

What about Bianca Amato’s performance did you like?

The narration was amazing. All of the voices were done skillfully and were distinct from one another. I would have never read this book in hard copy, and it was the voice of Amato in the sample that made me purchase it. The book exceeded my expectations, but Amato's narration enhanced the story immensely.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

All of the above. I was invested in the story and its characters.

Any additional comments?

I do not generally like Victorian-era literature or anything associated with it. Jane Austen puts me to sleep. This book was a rare purchase for me, perhaps because it was written so recently. Either way, I am reassessing my opinion of Victorian literature.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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scratched my historical romance itch

If you could sum up The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte in three words, what would they be?

Lovely, lovely, lovely

What other book might you compare The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte to and why?

Jane Eyre

What does Bianca Amato bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great accent on the love interest. The men all sound very different. Great skills

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Charlotte Bronte's tragic lovestory

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Bittersweet but Worth It

Sometimes this read a bit like a Jane Austen novel, which was strange, because that really wasn't the Bronte style. But it was so interesting to see the whole family story and the publication story, and the love story, all in one place. I'm glad I listened.

Also, the narrator is one of my favorite narrators, which is how I found this book! Its worth it!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautiful

Beautifully done in every way- don't miss it! I'm only halfway through but love every minute and I know I will miss this family when it's over. Please - a word to reviewers - please try to avoid spoilers- I was just reading some of the reviews and one of them actually ruined part of the story for me, telling me certain things that were to come. I won't repeat it here since it will ruin it for the next person - but reviewers please be considerate and stop before you give things away. At this moment I can't get these things out of my head knowing what's coming since I unknowingly read this review!

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4 people found this helpful