Agnes Grey

Agnes Grey exposes the harsh working conditions of a young governess who's hired by multiple families, including the overly critical Bloomfields and the delusional Murrays. While on assignment, Agnes endures consistent cruelty, forcing her to look inward for strength and encouragement.

Agnes is a young woman who comes from an impoverished background. Eager for financial independence, she accepts a position as a governess for an upper-class family. Agnes is initially charged with the Bloomfield children, who are unruly and slightly sadistic. The oldest boy, Tom, is particularly threatening, as he likes to capture and harm small animals. Agnes also engages with the extremely wealthy Murrays and their daughters, Matilda and Rosalie, who are in dire need of direction. Agnes attempts to navigate her growing responsibilities, while maintaining her morals and resilience.

In Agnes Grey, Anne Brontë examines a common plight among working-class people. It offers a revealing look at the corruptive nature of wealth, and the moral differences between the haves and the have nots. It goes beyond the surface to expose an unflattering but honest reality.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Agnes Grey is both modern and readable.

Anne Brontë (1820-1849) hailed from an English literary family responsible for some of the medium's most memorable works. She was the youngest of six children that included sisters, Charlotte and Emily. Their father was a clergyman, who raised them in a parish with very little money. As an adult, Anne took a position as a governess to financially support herself but found the position difficult and unfulfilling. In 1846, she and her sisters published a collection of poetry called Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell, which marked a humble beginning to a short yet impactful career.