OVERVIEW
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the first book by Stephanie that I have read. It was beautiful, lovely, and so very Brontë. I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights a very long time ago - it may be time to reread them.
If you loved the writing of the Brontë sisters, I think this love letter to them is just perfection and a must-read.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
The writing is beautiful, descriptive, and just so lovely. Such a well-researched book, filled with incredible and lyrical prose.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main characters are the three living Brontë sisters: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.
The secondary characters are Patrick (the Brontë sisters' father and town minister) and Branwell (the Brontë sisters' brother).
The tertiary characters are people in the local vicinity of the town, the church community, people in the publishing world, friends, and family of the Brontës.
The character development was strong. Of course, they all lived, loved, and died almost 175 years ago. It had to be speculative, but it was so beautifully and lovingly done.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline includes a short prologue in 1831, and the main storyline is only ten years from Summer 1843 to Winter 1853. The story begins with the family living in near poverty in the run-down parsonage before the Brontë sisters' books were published under pseudonyms.
The locations were Haworth, Yorkshire, England; London, England; and Edinburgh, Scotland.
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
Since I read the Brontë sisters so long ago and before the Internet, I had no idea about how difficult their lives were. Their lives were filled with so much constant and intense grief.
The Brontë family endured so much, including tuberculosis (or consumption as it was called). This caused me to reflect on what I had learned in John Green's fantastic book, Everything is Tuberculosis. There is much to be learned from both books!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Gorgeous.
Book title: 4.5 stars
Not perfect, but perfectly fine!
Highly recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
The Man in the Stone Cottage by Stephanie Cowell
277 pages
Regal House Publishing
FUTURE release date: 9/16/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Alcohol, alcoholism, drug use, death, death of a parent, grief, medical content, blood, mental health issues, sexual situations, pregnancy, and moderate cursing.
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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