The Taste of Sorrow (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

It's difficult to put into words just how much I loved this novel! Jude Morgan writes beautifully, and his portrayal of these doyennes of English literature is so perceptive, so intimate, that I found myself instantly absorbed by these very real, if extraordinary, women. Each Brontė sister feels restricted, not just by nineteenth-century society and the low expectations of their father, but also by their own fears. As Emily becomes increasingly detached and Anne more introspective, Charlotte's heartbreak and frustrations drive her on, and it is her passion and need for expression that ultimately saves them all. This fascinating family of geniuses is brought spectacularly to life in a masterpiece of historical fiction, and whether you're a Brontėphile or not, I defy you not to be both moved and gripped by it.

I don't know how Jude Morgan does it! Having read the fantastic 'Passion' and 'Symphony' based on the lives of real historical figures, I was very excited to see this book about the Brontes. Once again, this extremely clever writer has pulled all the epic strands together, and created another masterpiece of atmosphere, storytelling and historical research. This is a fine introduction into the early lives of the sisters - not forgetting Branwell, too, and that rare class of book that you just don't want to end. Even given the grim times in which they lived, wrote and died, Morgan manages to derive some humour and hope. The subject matter may be a path well trodden, but Morgan invests such attention-to-detail in the psychological aspects of the 'characters,' that you feel like you actually know them, and experience genuine grief and admiration by the end of the book.
It's such a travesty not to see Jude Morgan on the bestseller lists. I hope this book wins this talented author many more fans.
I would recommend 'The Taste of Sorrow' without reservation.

Wow! What a fantastic book this is. True the subject matter is enduringly fascinating, but this brings the stories to life in a totally gripping and encompassing way. It's a sumptuous Brontė-fest.

The Brontės' first biographer was, of course, a novelist, and in the wake of Mrs Gaskell - who confessed, as a writer of fiction, to finding it hard to stick to the facts - their story has been adapted, ad infinitum, for stage and screen as well as in books. The Taste of Sorrow is a very welcome addition to that genre and, unlike Mrs Gaskell, Jude Morgan comfortably takes the route of fiction, albeit using vast amounts of what is known to be historical fact. The result is to really bring this remarkable family to life - and indeed to death as early death was a feature both of the times and their upbringing. The novel starts off with the death of their mother, including a suggestion that may raise some hackles that she may have made a pact with the devil for her daughters' future.

The rich style of writing may not be to all modern tastes, but I loved it. I was instantly taken back 150 years - staggering to think that it really was not that long ago - to Haworth and the newly industrialising villages, together with the restrictions on the opportunities for young girls and the horrors of their limited education.

I came to this book with a fair degree of familiarity with the story - but absolutely none is needed. Indeed, you don't even need to know the novels of the Brontės to enjoy this book, although some knowledge undoubtedly helps you to pick up on some of Morgan's themes which were to re-appear in the girls' books (for example, there are several references to madness and attics in Charlotte's musings - which feature heavily in Jane Eyre, Emily stumbles on a dead bird that will feature in Wuthering Hieghts etc). Picking up on these will undoubtedly deepen your enjoyment, but it's absolutely not necessary - this story stands on its own perfectly well.

And don't expect too much to soon about the actual writing of the books - which was eventful in itself given that they felt the need to write under assumed (male) names. Their tentative steps into publishing don't feature until quite late on in the book.

Each sister is clearly defined - as is the relationship between each of them and their brother Branwell. Emily has always been my favourite - but then Wuthering Heights is one of my favourite books! - and this book did nothing to trample on that image. Neither does Morgan take liberties or trample on the facts - as often happens in some historical fiction - but rather he enlivens the facts and brings the story alive.

Great stuff.