If anyone mentions the Brontes then Charlotte always springs to mind, then followed by Emily but a lot of people seem to forget poor old Anne, the youngest Bronte. Anne only wrote two novels, her first being 'Agnes Grey', this being the second and an undisputed masterpiece.
Of the three sisters it can be argued that Anne was the most realistic in her writing and was the more modern of the three with regard to this. This novel is a romance but she draws heavily on her brother Branwell's drinking to bring to life a drunken husband. If you are wondering whether this is really good remember that this was an instant success on publication and the first print run sold out in six weeks.
I have read this book many times and for me this is my favourite novel by any of the Brontes. Bringing to life an unhappy marriage this book still resonates in our modern world, and will always do so.