We have recently added a splendid edition of Anne Bronte’s controversial novel The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to our collection.

 The book has been donated, following a crowdfunding appeal, by Bonnets at Dawn, a social media/podcasting duo who regularly discuss the works of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, with occasional detours into the works of other nineteenth century female writers.  Bonnets at Dawn, otherwise known as Lauren Burke and Hannah K Chapman (based in the UK and the US),  have visited Elizabeth Gaskell’s House more than once and are now well acquainted with the stories of Charlotte’s visits to 84 Plymouth Grove and the controversies surrounding Elizabeth’s biography The Life of Charlotte Bronte.

Books by the Bronte sisters must be at the top of that list.  Elizabeth Gaskell never met Anne Bronte as she had already died before her first meeting with Charlotte, but she had heard much about her. Charlotte vividly described the life of all her family to the ever- eager listener at their meetings together. Anne is an integral character in the biography The Life of Charlotte Bronte even though Elizabeth never had the opportunity to form her own first-hand opinion. Read all: elizabethgaskellhouse