• Agnes Grey

  • By: Anne Brontë
  • Narrated by: Emilia Fox
  • Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (703 ratings)
Agnes Grey  By  cover art

Agnes Grey

By: Anne Brontë
Narrated by: Emilia Fox

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Drawing heavily from personal experience, Anne Brontë wrote Agnes Grey in an effort to represent the many 19th Century women who worked as governesses and suffered daily abuse as a result of their position.

Having lost the family savings on risky investments, Richard Grey removes himself from family life and suffers a bout of depression. Feeling helpless and frustrated, his youngest daughter, Agnes, applies for a job as a governess to the children of a wealthy, upper-class, English family.

Ecstatic at the thought that she has finally gained control and freedom over her own life, Agnes arrives at the Bloomfield mansion armed with confidence and purpose. The cruelty with which the family treat her however, slowly but surely strips the heroine of all dignity and belief in humanity.

A tale of female bravery in the face of isolation and subjugation, Agnes Grey is a masterpiece claimed by Irish writer, George Moore, to be possessed of all the qualities and style of a Jane Austen title. Its simple prosaic style propels the narrative forward in a gentle yet rhythmic manner which continuously leaves the listener wanting to know more.

Anne Brontë, the somewhat lesser known sister, was in fact the first to finish and publish Agnes Grey under the pseudonym of Acton Bell. Charlotte and Emily followed shortly after with Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.

As Anne passed away from what is now known to be pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of just 29, she only published one further title; The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. As feminist in nature as Agnes Grey, Anne's brave voice resonates and permeates during one of the most prejudiced and patriarchal times of English history.

Narrator Biography

Emilia Fox is an English stage, film and TV actress, best known for playing the role of Dr Nikki Alexander on the BBC's crime drama Silent Witness. Having been involved in the programme since 2004, she is now its longest serving cast member.

Her other credits include Merlin, Pride and Prejudice and Rebecca, and her theatre background includes performances of The Cherry Orchard with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Emilia has also starred alongside Adrien Brody in Roman Polanski's The Pianist, beside Billie Piper and Dougray Scott in Things to Do Before You're 30 and with Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas in Keeping Mum.

She has voiced many audiobooks for Audible, including Philippa Gregory's The White Queen, William Shakespeare's The Tempest, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Sylvia Plath's Lady Lazarus and Victoria Hislop's The Island.

©2007 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Agnes Grey

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

I loved Agnes Grey. Agnes is a young woman of incredible character, and her integrity, patience, prudence, forbearance, self-control, humility, forgiveness, tenderness, and compassion are to be admired. It is so important to read about people one would want to emulate and would aspire to be like, and Agnes Grey is one such person. The comparisons and contrasts between all of the book's characters was an insight into humankind, as well. And, the ending...

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I love anything Bronte

Agnes Grey read by Emilia Fox is charming and engaging if not predictable (but who cares its a Bronte!). I thought the narrators voice was angelic and perfect for the meandering mind of the protagonist. I feel that I go back in time, that these audio books of stories from that century, make me feel like I am in my own time ship. The verses, the words used at that time, make English a beautiful language to me again. I love listening to the story but also enjoy the poetic verses that are throughout the book. IA lovely listen.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Old recording of a classic story

In addition to Performance and Story, I wish there was an additional measure which these recordings could be graded: Quality.

Audio quality was good enough. Original "do overs" by the reader were barely noticeable, which is better than many audio books.

One edit I wish was made was removal of "this is the end is side x," obvious marks of older media technology.

There was a low frequency rumble throughout. I listened with ear buds on a cloudy day and kept pausing, thinking a storm was rolling in.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tame but good

After listening to Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, I found Agnes Grey tame by comparison. However, I enjoyed Anne Bronte's quiet and thoughtful story of a level-headed woman who makes her way in the world with poise and grace.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent listen

The Bronte sisters sure did know what they were about!!! I doubt I would have picked this book up at a bookstore and by not doing so would have missed a chance to a wonderful story. While somewhat predictable, it never the less compelles the listener to complete the story. Wonderfully written and read.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

insight into life for women in early 19th century

I've been wanting to read the Brontë's works since the fabulous movie about them, To Walk Invisible. After reading about how overlooked Anne Brontë has been, I was especially interested to give Agnes Grey a chance. It certainly doesn't have the drama of the more famous Brontë novels, but it was an interesting read nonetheless. As a history nerd, I appreciated the insight it gave into what life was like both for governesses in the early(ish) 1800s as well as upper class women and children and even lower class people. I felt like it gave a more realistic look at daily life than most novels I've read. It does have some beautiful passages and really sweet lines, even if parts of it feel very Victorian in morality and plain in terms of the writing. The love story is sweet and I found Agnes's anxiety and shyness quite relatable. Overall, worth a read for classic lit fans and Emilia Fox had a very pleasant voice.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The Unknown Bronte

Anne is often overlooked among the Bronte family, and this book shows why. It's hard to overlook the martyred tone. I read this for a book club and might not otherwise have finished it. If you can overlook the unpleasant heroine, there is some wonderful description in the writing.
I'd recommend this mostly for people wanting the entire Bronte experience. Anne is much better represented by "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall".

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Richer for having read...

Plenty of pastimes gobble up hours leaving nothing of lasting or even temporary value for the portions of life bequeathed them. “Agnes Grey” is not one of them. The hours I have spent in the company of Anne Bronte leave me feeling comforted, enriched and strengthened. This is a book that gives more than a entertaining diversion. In fact, I would say, to call it such would be a grave misuse. Rather like clapping or hooting in church. This work is enriching, and definitely worthy of its “classic” distinction. I love feeling my time invested in a book was not extracted with only empty entertainment as the exchange. I have been enriched. And I hope my future reading choices will serve me a greater sum of this quality of material. I could only be so fortunate.
Incidentally, I discovered this story after reading Anne’s poem: “Last Lines.” The heart revealed in the sentiments of its stanzas struck me deeply and I determined to read everything Anne had written. As “Agnus Grey” was the first volume she had published that was where I started. I am infinitely grateful to have discovered Anne. With these stories as her legacy she has had the “portioned task” among “the brave and strong” she wished for. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and trust that you too will be enriched for having spent time in Anne’s company.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Short and sweet

Beautifully written and engaging throughout. I had an itch for more Anne Bronte after reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Agnes Grey made a nice epilogue. I recommend reading them back to back in that order.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The best work if all the sisters!

I laughed aloud a number of times, and completely loved descriptions of the children and how awful they could be. I rooted for Mr. Qrston from the get go

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1 person found this helpful