Publisher's Synopsis
Written by one great female novelist about another, Elizabeth Gaskell's Life of Charlotte Bronte was the first and remains the most celebrated biography of the author of JANE EYRE. When it appeared in 1860 the biography caused a furore because it contained some allegedly libellous statements which had to be withdrawn. However, Elizabeth Gaskell was Charlotte's close friend during the last years of her life, and aimed in her biography to let Charlotte speak for herself through her letters. The writer Margaret Oliphant, then a young woman, remembered Life of Charlotte Bronte as a 'revolution as well as revelation ... That Cry shattered indeed altogether "the delicacy" which was supposed to be themost exquisite characteristic of womankind.'
