Always Emily
By Darienne Stewart,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Fact, fiction entangled in lively Brontë sisters mystery.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
A epic movie about my daughter, Emily
Report this review
What's the Story?
Practical, proper Charlotte Brontë always seems to be at odds with her heedless sister, Emily. The two clash at school, where Emily's a reluctant student and Charlotte an uninspired teacher. Back home, they fare little better -- and their desultory, louche brother isn’t helping matters. The friction between them soon takes a back seat to the strange happenings on the moors: a break-in at the Brontë home, the suspicious death of a neighbor, a mysterious woman, a handsome stranger, and a secret fraternity. The very traits that make the sisters so different prove a perfect pairing as the Brontës embark on a dangerous adventure in the interest of justice and fairness.
Is It Any Good?
Michaela MacColl roots ALWAYS EMILY in the true story of the Brontë family, and the result will either delight or irritate readers who treasure Emily and Charlotte Brontë's work. MacColl imagines the sisters as 19th-century Nancy Drews, caught up in intrigue by chance and solving the mystery with pluck and determination. For readers who have yet to encounter Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, the novel may provide some insight into how the authors' lives shaped their novels … or it may muddy their understanding of the real Brontë sisters.
Biographical concerns aside, it's an enjoyable story with appealing heroines. The denouement is hardly revelatory, but getting there is so absorbing it almost doesn't matter.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the mixture of historical fact and fiction. How do you feel about blending real events with made-up ones? Does this story influence how you view the Brontë sisters, or their writing?
In what ways are Charlotte and Emily particularly unusual for the time and place they lived?
How do your real-life experiences influence your fictional writing?
Book Details
- Author: Michaela MacColl
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Topics: Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: April 8, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 282
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate