Agnes Grey is a novel written by the English author Anne BrontÃ `` and first published in 1847 . The novel is about a governess of that name and is said to be based on Anne BrontÃ `` 's own experiences . Agnes Grey is also an autobiographical novel with strong parallels between its events and Anne 's own life as a governess ; indeed , according to Charlotte BrontÃ `` , the story of Agnes largely stemmed from Anne 's own experiences as a governess .