Jane Eyre (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

This was every bit as lovely as I remembered it. Perhaps for different reasons though. I still love and admire Jane’s spunk, adore the romance that is central to the plot; but this reading brought me a greater awareness pf the importance of Jane’s finding family. Such a critical piece of the relationship puzzle that we call life. Highly recommend. I read this in installments, while listening to a podcast of discussions about the novel. That was an enhancement.

I was doing so well, listening to Jane Eyre through Just The Books, since I started late, I had hours of audio to listen to on my commute. Then..... I caught up. Then.... I had to wait for each chapter to come out each week.

I broke.

I went to my kindle and got the free version and dug in.

Each year, I make a point to really tackle a classic. This year is Bronte, this sisters. And I, admittedly grudgingly, set in to listening to Jane Eyre. I am amazed at how much I loved this story. It's a classic, to be sure, but it's incredibly modern in the characterization of Jane. I adored her and how independence and outspokeness. That must have been quite the stir back in the day....

Basic plot line below, spoilers!





Jane's parents die while she is very young and she is sent to listen with an aunt and uncle. The uncle passes away as well and the aunt, and cousins, want nothing to do with Jane. She is sent to a school for poor orphans, basically, and being Jane, does very well. She moves from there to Thornfield to be a governess for a Mr. Rochester's young not-really-his girl.

Love ensues but whoops, there's a lunatic in the attic....Jane moves on to Morton.

Good fortune finally arrives at Jane's doorstep but she never forgot her love, Mr. Rochester. She heads back to Thornfield only to find ruins, in more than one place.

Ah, what a delicious story. Jane is a wonderful character and, for the time period, incredibly original and strong willed. I'm very happy I read this one.

I first read this book when I was probably around 12 years of age - perhaps back in 1986. I loved it then, and it continues to be one of my all-time faves. It is a passionate moody romance that still stirs something deep within me every time I open it's well-worn, heartily-loved pages. I usually read it at least once a year to savor again the amazing lines and passionate speeches between Jane and Mr. Rochester.

It's a book that never fails to capture my soul...

I wish I could remember it better, but I recall being surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Definitely worth picking up.

Mixed feelings. I was not impressed when I read this in high school. When I reread it over 20 years later I appreciated it much more. The writing is of the passionate Jane Austen style, Mr. Rochester is the ultimate in romantic bad boys, and the character of Jane Austen is simultaneously relatable and inspirational— no small trick.

But since I am familiar with Jane Austen now, Jane Eyre (pub 1847) feels a little derivative of Pride and Prejudice (pub 1813), especially the awful cousin theme. Is there any meaningful difference between the cold soul of Mr. Collins and St. John Rivers? Also, I found the entire coincidence of Jane Eyre stumbling into her cousin by coincidence nearly unforgivable.

Final decision: Mr. Rochester, liar though he is, is worth it. Jane Eyre's character development is also worth it.