EMILY’S GHOST
Publication Date: July 27, 2009 »
A lustrous, beautifully written reimagining of the Brontė family and of Emily Brontės passionate engagement with life. »
DENISE GIARDINA »
Often labelled an Appalachian writer, or a historical novelist, Denise Giardina describes herself as a theological writer, exploring fundamental issues of faith and belief through literary characters.
Born and raised in the West Virginia coalfields, Giardina is an ordained Episcopal Church deacon, a community activist and a former candidate for the WV state governorship.
Her novels, fictionalizing historical characters and events, have been critically acclaimed and recognised with a number of literary prizes. »
EMILY’S STORY »
The story of the Brontė family became Charlotte's story. Charlotte's story, because she survived her sisters and brother. Charlotte's story because her juvenile writings were preserved where Emily's and Anne's were not, and because only Charlotte's correspondence was saved.
Charlotte's story because she managed her sisters' literary inheritance. Charlotte's story because after her sisters' deaths she burst the bounds of Haworth and became acquainted with London society and the literary elite of England.
Charlotte's story because she was befriended by Mrs. Gaskell, soon to be her biographer.
Modern scholarship, especially Juliet Barker's wonderful biography The Brontės, has tried to free the Brontė story from Charlotte's grasp and draw upon a variety of sources to enlarge our understanding.
In Emily's Ghost I have attempted to do the same.