She Wrote Too

What do the Brontë family and the Methodist movement have in common? More than you might think. In our latest episode of She Wrote Too, we had the pleasure of speaking with genealogist Dr. Sarah Halton, who has been tracing the intricate and often surprising connections between the Brontës and Methodism. Diagrams are provided below!

Most of us think of the Brontës as being firmly rooted in the Anglican tradition. After all, their father, Patrick Brontë, was a clergyman in the Church of England, and their home at Haworth Parsonage is steeped in the trappings of traditional Anglican life. But, as Dr. Halton reveals, the family's ties to religious nonconformity run deeper than many realize.

The Methodist movement, founded in the 18th century by John and Charles Wesley, was a powerful force in shaping the religious landscape of Britain. It was a movement that attracted working-class communities and emphasized personal faith, social justice, and education which are values that would have resonated with the Brontës. Dr. Halton’s research uncovers how Patrick Brontë’s early theological training and connections to evangelical circles may have influenced not only his ministry but also the intellectual and moral framework in which his children were raised.

This raises fascinating questions: Did the Brontës’ exposure to nonconformist ideas shape their literary imaginations? Can we see traces of Methodist themes such as redemption, struggle, and social reform in Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or The Tenant of WIldfell Hall? And what does this tell us about the broader intersection of faith and literature in the 19th century?

Join us for this deeply engaging conversation as we explore faith, history, and storytelling with Dr. Halton. If you’re a fan of the Brontës, historical detective work, or the way belief systems shape culture, this is an episode that you will enjoy.

Caroline and Nicola explore Anne Brontë’s final novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, where an enigmatic world unfolds—a narrative that boldly challenges Victorian conventions through its portrayal of a woman's struggle for independence. In their discussion, they delve into Anne’s life and her position within the Brontë family, examining how personal and familial conflicts shape the key themes of the book. They also consider the legal rights and vulnerability of women at the time and explore how the novel intertwines gothic intrigue with incisive social commentary, inviting reflection on enduring issues of gender, morality, and personal freedom.

It is a beautifully rich book, full of well-developed range of characters, mystery and a resilient heroine determined to ensure her son is shielded from the pitfalls of toxic masculinity. We thoroughly enjoyed reading it and hope that you will too.

Trigger Warning: This discussion addresses challenging themes including alcoholism, domestic abuse, coercive behaviour, and portrayals of child treatment that may be disturbing by modern standards.

Historical novelist Essie Fox joins Caroline and Nicola to talk about one of her favourite books - Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë - and to introduce her own new novel, Dangerous, a Byronic tale of vampirism and mystery. Find out more about Essie at www.essiefox.com

Exploring Black Beauty with Anne Brooke and Mari Durward-Akhurst: A Journey into Anna Sewell’s Legacy

In our latest podcast episode, we delve into the enduring legacy of Black Beauty, Anna Sewell’s iconic novel that has touched hearts for generations. Joining us for this fascinating discussion are Anne Brooke, fabulous author, and Mari Durward-Akhurst, an inspirational Paralympian dressage athlete. Together, we consider the novel’s timeless themes, its impact on equestrian culture, and the profound empathy it fosters for animals and humans alike.

A central thread of our conversation is Celia Brayfield’s biography Writing Black Beauty, a compelling exploration of Anna Sewell’s life and the making of her masterpiece. Sewell, a little known writer in her time, channelled her own struggles with disability and her deep bond with horses into a novel that championed animal welfare and advocated for kindness. Her book has never gone out of publication and went on to be one of the best-selling novels of all time. Brayfield’s work unveils the rich historical and personal context behind Black Beauty, bringing Sewell’s world vividly to life. A recommended read from us.

Anne Brooke shares her literary insights on Sewell’s narrative technique and the groundbreaking way Black Beauty gives voice to its titular character. The novel’s first-person perspective from the horse’s point of view was revolutionary, transforming how readers perceive animal intelligence and emotion. Anne offers a contemporary lens on why the story continues to resonate today, over a century after its publication.

Mari Durward-Akhurst brings a unique perspective, connecting her own experiences as a Paralympian in the equestrian world to the novel’s themes of resilience and mutual respect between humans and horses. Her reflections on how Black Beauty has inspired generations of riders and animal advocates enrich the discussion, making it deeply personal and powerful.

To complement the episode, we also take a trip to the London International Horse Show, immersing ourselves in a vibrant celebration of equestrianism. The event highlights the continuing importance of the human-horse connection—a bond so beautifully depicted in Black Beauty.

This episode is more than a tribute to a beloved novel; it’s a journey into the life of a remarkable author, the enduring relevance of her work, and the ways horses inspire us today. Whether you’re a literary enthusiast, an equestrian lover, or simply someone who cherishes stories of compassion, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Caroline and Nicola wish all our listeners a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your support during 2024.

In the first episode of She Wrote Too, we considered Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner. This novel is a feminist classic in which Laura Willowes creates a new kind of freedom for herself - as a witch. In this episode, Nicola speaks with Jade Loren, a modern day witch about what that means to her and her relationship with the natural world.

Jade M Loren writes books about witchcraft that are available on Amazon.

Our thanks to Jade for taking time to share her thoughts.

Dr Sarah Halton is the guest on this episode. We have been so fortunate this month in having so many experts. Sarah is a genealogist and her research is excellent. Enjoy.

Thank you Sarah.

Nicola spoke with collector and self-confessed Christie-obsessive, Scott Wallace Baker, who kindly explained where his love of Agatha Christie originated, his adoration of the cover art by Tom Adams and how his pursuit of building a glorious collection has had it’s own mysteries and adventures.

On this page are photographs of some of the scenes that Scott has curated that relate to Christie novels.

Thank you Scott for your time and your fascinating stories.

Scott posts his tributes on Instagram if you would like to see more of his extensive collection.

Caroline and Nicola went to see the Mousetrap in the West End. They discuss the plot and characters - without revealing whodunnit - respecting the best kept secret in Theatreland.

The play opened in 1952, stopping only for Covid in 2020 for a period of 14 months. So, the actual 70th Anniversary celebrations were disrupted by this and consequently the ‘spirit’ of these have continued for some years, so people are still celebrating #TheMousetrap70.

The cast of the Mousetrap changes regularly, normally every year, keeping the play fresh and providing different interpretations and performances of the characters.

As you go up the stairs in St Martins Theatre, these old posters are on display, illustrating the rich history of its journey.

The Mousetrap is even older than 1952. It began as a radio play, Three Blind Mice, written by Agatha Christie in 1947 as a gift for Queen Mary’s 80th birthday. It was later adapted into a stage play and renamed.

It holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running play in the world, with over 28,000 performances since its debut in 1952. It moved to St Martins in 1974 and has now been there for 50 years. This was pleasing to Nicola who was also 50 this year and went to see the Mousetrap not long after the big day.

Nicola and Caroline sat up here, in the Gods, which did not spoil their enjoyment of this charming, nostalgic play with undercurrents of darkness. It was an extremely enjoyable outing and a trip is highly recommended.

#SheWroteToo #TheMousetrap70 #AgathaChristie #Podcast #WomenWriters #TheatreMagic #WestEnd

As She Wrote Too nears the end of the Agatha Christie month, Nicola spoke with Hazel of A Bit of A Christie podcast about why she loves Christie as Hazel takes her investigations forward. We hope you enjoy the conversation.