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"It is rarely that we find a portrait of literary character with such a remarkable setting, and as rare to find an author whose works are so popular, so vivid, and distinctive, and whose personal history was so utterly unknown. A sister authoress, gifted herself with superior powers, has described with true woman's sympathy and eagerness the whole course of the life which is now closed for ever. We regard the record as a monument of courage and endurance, of suffering and triumph All the secrets of the literary workmanship of the authoress of 'Jane Eyre' are unfolded in the course of this extraordinary narrative."—Times.

"Mrs. Gaskell has done her work well. Her narrative is simple, direct, intelligible, unaffected. She dwells on her friend's character with womanly tact, thorough understanding, and delicate sisterly tenderness. The extracts from the letters are excellently selected, and they are remarkable letters—as the letters of the most remarkable woman of the age could not fail to be. Many parts of the book cannot be read without deep, even painful emotion; still it is a life always womanly."—Fraser's Magazine.

"The story of a woman's life, unfolded in this book, is calculated to make the old feel young and the young old By all this book will be read with interest Mrs. Gaskell has produced one of the best biographies of a woman by a woman which we can recall to mind."—Athenæum.