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The Taste of Sorrow

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The Taste of Sorrow

By: Jude Morgan
Narrated by: Phyllida Nash
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About this listen

From an obscure country parsonage came the most extraordinary family of the nineteenth century. The Brontë sisters created a world in which we still live the intense, passionate world of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights; and the phenomenon of this strange explosion of genius remains as baffling now as it was to their Victorian contemporaries.

In this panoramic novel we see with new insight the members of a uniquely close-knit family whose tight bonds are the instruments of both triumph and tragedy.

Emily, the solitary who turns from the world to the greater temptations of the imagination: Anne, gentle and loyal; Branwell, the mercurial and self-destructive brother; and the brilliant, tormented Charlotte, longing for both love and independence, who establishes the family’s name.

©2009 Jude Morgan (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Fiction Historical Fiction

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All stars
Most relevant  
Rarely does one read a biography where one ends up sobbing at the inevitable and acknowledged death of the subjects. Morgan combines humour, lively characters and factual accuracy to bring the Brontes' life to reality. A gripping read.

Beautifully written, factually accurate

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Completely brilliant evocation of the life of a very complex but brilliant family unit. Made me go back and read Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and even to try for the first time the surprisingly good (if a little over-pious) Tenant of Wildfell Hall.
Of course its all speculation. Nobody really knows the thoughts, emotions and inter-family relationships of the Brontes, but then again nobody knows the inner thoughts of the Lintons or the Rochesters. Its a novel, and a very good listen.
The reading was excellent, but not sure whether the Brontes wold have kept their father's Irish accent for their whole lives, but that did not detract...excellent.

Loved it

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This is a very powerful and moving retelling of the well known history of the Bronte family. It is a wonderful achievement
The narration must be the best I have ever encountered. Phylllida Nash has achieved something amazing here.
I recommend this book most highly.

A tour de force

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This is a beautifully written book about a very large helping of sorrow. So much so that I read or listened to other books in-between.
Wonderful narration.

The title is misleading

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Morgan’s use of language is exquisite and Phyllida Nash’s reading is wonderful. I didn’t know much about the Brönte’s lives before I listened to this, but I feel now as if I had read a biography but skipped the dull bits. It’s a really great listen and highly recommended.

Wonderful telling of the Brönte family’s lives.

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

A writer`s idea how the Brontes lived. Very believable and interesting. Read beautifully.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlotte Bronte`s father is how I would have imagined him.

Have you listened to any of Phyllida Nash’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, too much to take in.

A taste of sorrow by Jude Morgan

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Where does The Taste of Sorrow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would put The Taste of Sorrow close to the top--the story, although grim and sad, vividly brings to life some of my favorite writers.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I found each member of the Bronte family fascinating in themselves--the father Patrick, who had the grit and tenacity to rise above his peasant roots; Charlotte, who saw so much death, yet continued to write and live and love; Branwell, so full of promise and life and yet so tragic; Emily, so much a force of nature, no one else could have written Wuthering Heights but her... and Anne, whom I've never read, but plan to read soon.

Which character – as performed by Phyllida Nash – was your favourite?

Emily--there is a certain bite and tenacity to her character that Phyllida got very well. In fact, I loved the way she managed to create an individual voice for each sister.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A talented, and tragic, family of writers...

Any additional comments?

Well, it's certainly inspired me to check out Project Gutenberg for Charlotte's later work and Anne's work as well.

Gritty, realistic and moving

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When I was a child I devoured the Complete Works of the Brontes. It was an ugly, heavy volume. I would love to find it again. The complete family and their interior world is so little known to most people who may even only believe that there were two sisters, Emily and Charlotte.
The Taste of Sorrow brought back so much of the content of that volume and it does it so gently, so cleverly and so sympathetically. Much more than a biography this is a real story peopled with fascinating characters and situations. Of course Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights also equip the reader to understand and nod in recognition as the story unfolds.
Beautifully read, with just the right pace and flawless pronunciation and accent, the language manages to avoid the archaic but places the listener back in the Bronte world. I have listened twice and feel sure that this will be oft repeated over the years. Please join me!

A deeply satisfying experience.

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What did you like about this audiobook?

An excellent insight into the life of the Brontes.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Well narrated by Phyllida Nash.

Do you have any additional comments?

It is a well written and well read book but because it does not have a plot as such it sometimes does not hold your attention.

The Taste of The Brontes

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