Agnes Grey

By: Anne Brontë

Narrated by: Virginia Leishman

In her daring first novel, the youngest Brontë sister drew upon her own experiences to tell the unvarnished truth about life as a governess. Like Agnes Grey, Anne Bronte was a young middle-class Victorian lady whose family fortunes had faltered. Like so many other unmarried women of the 19th century, Bronte accepted the only "respectable" employment available - and entered a world of hardship, humiliation, and loneliness. Written with a realism that shocked critics, this biting social commentary offers a sympathetic portrait of Agnes and a moving indictment of her brutish and haughty employers.

Separated from her family and friends by many miles, paid little more than subsistence wages, Agnes stands alone - both in society at large and in a household where she is neither family member nor servant.

Agnes Grey remains a landmark in the literature of social history. In addition to its challenge to the era's chauvinism and materialism, it features a first-person narrative that offers a rare opportunity to hear the voice of a Victorian working woman.

Public Domain (P)2016 Recorded Books

Refreshing

As a lover of classics, it is astounding to me that I am just now discovering my love of the Brontë sisters! Of course I had heard of them before, but never read any of their works. I have been pleasantly surprised how clean, refreshing, and enjoyable they have been! I have also been pleasantly surprised at the amount of theology in these books. I was not expecting that! Overall a huge fan of this work.

Agnes Grey

I love all of the writings of the Brontes & found this selection a pure delight.
This was the second time I read it and it was as enjoyable even the second time around!

Unexpected love for this Novel

I decided in my late 30's to start reading classic English Literature. I wasn't a fan of reading as a student nor while I was in my 20's .
I say this is a hidden jewel, underrated novel.
I absolutely loved it. I read it and just now finished listening to it. I love the character Agnes Grey.

Surprisingly Relatable!

After watching the excellent BBC biopic about the Bronte sisters (To Walk Invisible), I was excited to read more of the Bronte's works. So I decided to go for Anne Bronte's debut book. I was really surprised at how readable and relatable this story by Anne Bronte was. Agnes Grey is a young woman who is true to herself and who listens to her inner voice that guides her through her challenging experiences (often bordering on abusive) as a governess (like the author). I really enjoyed Agnes Grey's perspective on life and thought her experiences were completely relatable even today. She observes class differences, being a young woman trying to earn money for own economic independence, work for spoiled, vapid, amoral people, animal cruelty, people cruelty, finding a mate for friendship and love not just for economics. This fast moving story never lags and the characters are fully fleshed out with depth and reality. The narrator/reader is excellent and talented bringing the story to life without overdoing it--she nails it and I will look for more of her work because she's excellent and her voice is nice to listen to.
I highly recommend this story especially if you are interested in Bronte sisters' works.

A classic

What a lovely relaxing listen. This was an easy listen. It was read with beautiful pronunciation.

I loved it!

warning for animal cruelty
Great story, not difficult to get into! Narrator did a great job!

Excellent reader! A classic story for the ages.

First, the reader: Virginia Leishman delivers an excellent performance. Her crisp English voice and her clear delivery make the listening a pleasure to the ear.

Second, the novel: Though a romance in the main, Anne Bronte gives to the patient and attentive listener an idea of English society and customs near the halfway mark of the nineteenth century.

sartorthegrey

Slow Start

Took a long time to get to the main thrust of the story and then it was just kind of a simple romance.
I’d actually give it 3.5 stars

Simplicity and genuine discourse.

It was too short. I would have liked to know more about Mary's life, as well as the life of Lady Ashby.