Martin, Douglas A. Branwell: A Novel of the Bronte Brother. New York: Soft Skull Press, 2005. 232 p. Paperback. ISBN 1933368004.

Douglas A. Martin’s Branwell is the story of the legendary Bronte family told from an unexpected perspective. Rather than concentrating on the literary luminaries — Charlotte, Anne, and Emily — Martin’s book adopts the point of view of their brother, an insecure drifter who lives in their shadows. The only son, Branwell, is expected to immortalize the Bronte name and make the family fortune. It is his sisters' writing that does so, however, thanks to his tormenting inspiration.

A stylistically complex yet readable book, Branwell is narrated completely in declarative sentences, which mirror the plot and themes of the novel. Martin’s crystal clear prose often blends dialogue and thoughts in the vein of stream-of-consciousness fiction. He places more emphasis on the main character’s point-of-view rather than making black-and-white distinctions between what’s spoken and what isn’t. Much of the dialogue shows readers how Branwell perceives other characters in a graceful, lyrical manner. Declarative sentences are used when a question is expected. For example, when Branwell becomes a Freemason, Martin narrates: “It is a sword they’ve held to his breast. He’ll be so much closer to John after this. How does he feel” (63). Here the author disappoints our expectation of a question mark — it mirrors Branwell’s disappointment in art, life, and love as well as his father’s dashed hopes of a successful son. These intricate stylistic choices all work in conjunction with the somber tone of the book and its darkly poetic diction and images.

Douglas A. Martin achieves a superior narrative style and makes the opium-hooked, delinquent Branwell a likeable guy. I sympathized with him (often against my better judgment). While certainly flawed and morally questionable, Martin portrays Branwell as something easily relatable to most people: an artist in search of his medium. This added dimension to Branwell’s character made the novel disconcerting and heartbreaking as he searched unsuccessfully to find a vehicle for his talent and drive. Overall Branwell is a gracefully rendered and very modern version of the Bronte brother’s story. Five stars.

— Kristina Marie Darling