Little Anne Bronte

I've been reading "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" and really enjoying it! While it isn't as dramatic as "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights," it makes up for that by being a realistic story of an abusive husband and the lengths his wife goes to escape from him. Helen is a bit of a goody-goody, but still likable. You can empathize with her fears for her son. Her husband is a philandering, alcoholic, controlling man who can be charming if he wants to be. But most of the time he can't be bothered to control any of his behavior. He also has a sadistic streak a mile wide where Helen is concerned.

Why has Anne Bronte been so overlooked? I guess it's because her sisters' books are so emotional and dramatic. Also, the subject matter of "The Tenant" is scandalous for the time it was written. I also plan to read "Agnes Gray." I think Anne was the most practical and down-to-earth of the Brontes. She worked as a governess to supplement the family's income even though she didn't enjoy the work much more than Charlotte or Emily did.