The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte

By: Syrie James

Narrated by: Bianca Amato

Length: 16 hrs and 41 mins

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)

Better than I could have hoped for!

Where does The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's definitely up there!

Have you listened to any of Bianca Amato’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't but she did a fabulous job! I couldn't be happier!

Any additional comments?

I don't want to answer any of the specific comments, not wanting to give anything away. But let me tell you, I've been in love with Jane Eyre since I saw the 1996 movie, then read the book. I've also read Wuthering Heights. If you are a fan of the Bronte sisters, Charlotte in particular, then I don't see how you wouldn't love this book. The narrator was amazing. The story mostly true and very gripping. This is one of the few books which have brought on such a range of emotions in me. Please give it a try and I really doubt you'll be disappointed.

So glad it's true!

A fantastic story for Bronte and Austen fans! What makes it truly superlative however is the outstanding performance by Bianca Amato. For a year now I have gone looking for books she has performed and have discovered some wonderful gems. Enjoy!

A fantastic imagined autobiography

I absolutely loved listening to this book. It was beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. I don't understand why the conceit of "secret diaries" was used in the title and at the beginning and end of the volume. There is nothing diary-like about this book. It is written like an autobiography and that is a wonderful thing, much more appealing than imagined diaries would be. I highly recommend the book to anyone who's read any of Brontës novels.

Best listen ever!

Well written, perfectly rendered in the style of Charlotte Bronte! I cried, I laughed, I cried! A wonderful tribute to the life of a great author!

Historical fiction at it's best.

Enjoyed this story of the lives of the Bronte siblings. Life before antibiotics sure was fragile.

Remarkable Life

As a long time fan of Charlotte and Emily Brontë, I found this autobiography by Charlotte utterly enthralling as it completely validated my admiration. I can only imagine what other treasures she could have produced were it not for her tragically early passing and her sisters, as well.
Charlotte’s memoirs were no less rewarding than her book, Jane Eyre and her life no less intriguing.

Both enjoyable and interesting

Excellent in what in at out to be. I would recommend this to anyone interested in historical fiction as well as devoted Bronte fans, who will appreciate the "insider's view" that is presented.

IMPRESSED!

What did you love best about The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte?

It was an unexpected joy to listen to this narrator and to enjoy the story of a woman I so admire. Her spirit lives on in this novel. Highly recommend this for any Bronte fan.

OMG what a wonderful book !!!!!!!!

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

Brilliant, tragic, captivating

I have loved the Brontes for a long time. They are such interesting people in history, especially considering they hardly ever left their house during their lifetimes!

This book is amazing. Of course it's very sad. It was really hard to live without getting a horrible (and fatal) illness in those days. I'm surprised anyone survived. I was happy to read more about Anne and Branwell, as well as Arthur, Charlotte's husband, as I didn't know very much about them. I've known mostly about Charlotte and Emily only.I

don't know how much of this work is true but I'm sure a lot of it is. I really loved it!!!

Good listen

Although this book is decidedly slow, it is enjoyable if you like Bronte and/or Austen type novels. I thought the narration was spot on and the story is interesting. I recommend it to anyone who counts Jane Eyre and/or Wuthering Heights in their top ten favorite novels.