Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle

"Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle" by Clement King Shorter is a late 19th-century biography that examines the life, family, and acquaintances of Charlotte Brontë, incorporating previously unpublished letters and insights. It aims to provide a deeper, more intricate portrayal of Charlotte and her sisters and goes against earlier biographies. The book starts with a preface where Shorter expresses gratitude to those who helped compile new material about the Brontës, underlining the importance of letters and information in fully illustrating Charlotte's life. The preface smoothly transitions into an examination of key Brontë family members, most notably Patrick Brontë and Maria Branwell, before exploring exhaustive accounts of Charlotte’s life and her legacy. Overall, the book aspires to enrich the reader's comprehension of the Brontë sisters' literary heritage and the intricacies of their lives.