THEIR novels inspired by the windswept moorland landscape surrounding their family home in Haworth gained them global recognition, writes Sally Clifford.

The quaint village, with its cobbled streets and characteristic houses, has become a destination for tourists eager to see the parsonage where the famous literary siblings lived at the time they put quill pens to paper, creating the books which have captivated readers and carried on their legacy.

Many are fascinated with the Bronte sisters and, in her latest book, Dutch author and journalist Jolien Janzing — who grew up in Flanders — explores a forgotten chapter in Charlotte Bronte’s life and the secret love affair with the man who inspired her to write The Professor, Villette and Jane Eyre.

Charlotte Bronte’s Secret Love, translated from Dutch by Paul Vincent, focuses on the eldest of the Bronte sisters, whose birth bicentenary will be celebrated by the Bronte Parsonage on April 21 this year.

Previously titled The Master, Charlotte Bronte’s Secret Love looks at Charlotte’s escape from the “safe but oppressive life in her father’s house” in Haworth to embark on an adventure in Brussels.

The author begins the book with observations of its main character, a woman she describes as neither beautiful nor exquisite, rich and spoilt, but not unattractive either.

And so begins the journey into a tantalising episode into the lives of two of the greatest 19th century authors, Charlotte and her sister Emily who accompanies her to Brussels.

The author tells of the siblings’ time in an elegant boarding house where Charlotte fell in love with her teacher, a family man who was initially intrigued by the English sisters.

For Charlotte, Heger is a love interest. From his perspective he is intrigued by the English sisters but views them as unusual women, particularly “Emma, or is it Emily?”

Charlotte Bronte’s Secret Love is available in ebook. Visit worldeditions.org for further information.