The Content Reader

Helen MacEwan is one of the initial founders of The Brussels Brontë Group . The Group is dedicated to research the years that Charlotte and Emily spent in Brussels. Helen has written another three books connected to the Brontës in Brussels; Down the Belliard Steps (about the founding of the Group), The Brontës in Brussels (a 'guided' tour of places and history connected to the Brontës), Winifred Ghérin, Biographer of the Brontës. Through Belgian Eyes,  with the under title Charlotte Brontë's Troubled Brussels Legacy  takes a look at how the Belgians handle/d Charlotte Brontë's attitude to Brussels and the Belgians. Mainly through her two books set in Brussels, The Professor and Villette. And, why it took so long for the Belgians to acknowledge her greatness.  "Charlotte Brontë's years in Belgium (1842-43) had a huge influence both on her life and her work. It was in Brussels that she not only honed her writing skills but fell in love and lived through the exper...

Just another week until Christmas. The shops are full of people buying their Christmas presents. Today is my son's birthday and we remember this day 21 years ago. It was snowy and very cold. This year it is rather cold but no snow. Recently my friend Helen MacEwan the founder of the Brussels Brontë Group had a book launch for her fourth book about the Brontës. It is called Through Belgian Eyes, Charlotte Brontë's Troubled Brussels Legacy . We are all aware of Charlotte's view on Belgium and Brussels, but here we get to know what others thought about her, and specifically about her two books based on her Brussels experience; The Professor and Villette . Very interesting indeed and Helen has done thorough research and the book is illustrated with 60 pictures, which also depicts life in Brussels. On 9 December there was the annual Brontë group lunch, with a small theatre play and a quiz on Brontë characters. Very enjoyable as usual and great fun to meet people wi...

As you might know, I am a fan of the Brontës. While living here in Brussels I came into contact with the  Brussels Brontë Group . A group, founded by Helen MacEwan and some fellow enthusiasts. I did not have so much knowledge about the Brontës. Just that they grew up on the moors of Yorkshire and wrote wonderful, passionate novels. Being part of the group have, for me, opened up a whole new chapter in the history of the Brontës. The group has taken on numerous investigations in order to track the lives of Charlotte and Emily during their stay here in 1842-43 (Emily only the first year). For Charlotte it was a life changing experience. The life she lived here and her studies for the charismatic M. Heger gave her another output in life. She became infatuated with him and he entered into her literary characters. Helen is the source of information concerning the sisters life here in Brussels. She has written several books related to their stay here. The Brontës in Brussels is a ...

Yesterday was first of advent. We don't have a candle stick with four candles this year, which is customary in Sweden. In stead we settled for a 'christmas tree' candle that we received from Sally. In the afternoon we ignored the grey weather and headed down town to Waterstone to attend my friend Helen's book launch. Helen MacEwan is the founder of the Brussels Brontë Group  and has written two earlier books about the Brontës; Down the Belliard Steps - Discovering the Brontës in Brussels , a book about how the group came together. Her second book is The Brontës in Brussels , a complete guide to Charlotte's and Emily's stay in Brussels and the places they visited. Her third book was inspired by her earlier books. While researching them she came upon the first biographer of the Brontës after Elizabeth Gaskell, Winifred Gérin. She is actually the only one who has written one book for each of the siblings, four altogether. Helen discovered that, not only w...

Those of you who live in Brussels might want to attend a book launch on Thursday 26 June at 19.00. It is my friend Helen MacEwan who has written her second book about the Brontës in Brussels. Here some information about the event: You are very welcome to come along to the launch of the book The Brontës in Brussels on Thursday 26 June at 19.00 at Waterstones bookstore, get a signed copy and celebrate with a glass of wine! See also a post about the book on the Waterstones blog: http://waterstonesbru.blogspot.be/2014/05/the-brontes-in-brussels.html Thursday 26 June at 19.00 at Waterstones bookstore, Boulevard Adolphe Max 71, 1000 Brussels Launch of the The Brontës in Brussels by Helen MacEwan, published by Peter Owen (UK). This lavishly illustrated guide gathers together information on Charlotte and Emily Brontë’s stay in Brussels in 1842-43 and makes it easy to identify the Brontë places – which, without help, can be quite a challenge! Apart from giving a biographical accoun...