Agnes Grey

By: Anne Brontë

Narrated by: Emilia Fox

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

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.

Slight but substantial

This relatively simple tale about a pious young woman's experiences when she takes work as a governess seems slight by comparison with the best known works of the Bronte sisters. But it has substance to enhance its merits.

The character studies of those that employ Agnes, and are taught by her, are the book's high point. They more than compensate for a religiosity from Agnes that can seem cloying at times.

The reading becomes another highlight as the characters are brought to life with insight and a fine acting skill.

great love story

it's a great classic love story by the infamous Anne bronte. spoken by Ms. fox in a pleasant tone

Excellent story with excellent narration

I’ve read several other works by the Brontë sisters, but not this one. I (unsurprisingly) enjoyed the story, but especially the narration.

Excellent audio interpretation.

Lovely story of quaint times gone by, well presented by the reader. Enthusiastically recommend.

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".

Lovely tale from the forgotten Brontë

If you could sum up Agnes Grey in three words, what would they be?

Lyrical, humorous, and preachy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

In fact I quite liked the would-be villain, Rosalie Murray. She wasn't a kind person, but the reader could also sympathize with the intractability of her position as a woman of that era. She wanted adventure and amusement, but in the end couldn't escape her fate as a cloistered country aristocrat.

What does Emilia Fox bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I loved the soft, reflective quality of her narration. She also managed to vocalize each of the characters uniquely without resorting to exaggerated voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Among others, when Agnes travels to Wellwood for her first appointment as a governess. She's excited to begin her new life, but when the house comes into view from her carriage window she wishes it were just a few miles further away. I experienced the same sentiment the first time I moved away from home at around Agnes' age.

Any additional comments?

I loved Emilia Fox's narration but the quality of the recording is a little lacking. I had to lower the volume for her performance of Rosalie Murray's voice because the sound was much more piercing.

Final thought: the plot is overly moralizing (I told a friend it's essentially proto-Christian fiction), the romance rather uninspired, and no doubt some readers will be put off by Agnes' absolute moral superiority. That said, the elegance and precision of the writing more than make up for any deficiencies of characterization or overbearing religious admonitions. Really a beautifully composed book.

A favorite of mine

Such a beautiful story, my other favorites are hers or her sisters’ The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. This narrator is particularly pleasant.

Beautiful prose

This is a beautiful story and the preformmance is outstanding. My only complaint is they didn't remove the prompt to remove the discs.

Delightful listen

If you are a fan of Sense & Sensibility and Little Women, this will be your cup of tea!

Beautiful, Simple Storytelling

A story that does not proclaim any great, fascinating fantasy; but it is a great change of pace, being a small, gentle tale with a touch of angst and romance thrown in. A great story to listen to if you're bored with a task, or need background noise. Emilia Fox's voice is calming and eloquent; the very character of Agnes herself.