I have never read Jane Eyre until this year. I knew the basic story line, but I could never get past the first few chapters. Luckily, I have matured or appreciate it better, or the timing was just right this time. I read it recently, and I loved it!
Jane Eyre follows the coming of age story of a young orphan girl of the same name. Jane lives a lonely and difficult life as she grows up first with her cousins then in a strict boarding school. When Jane decides to take a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall, her life change forever. There she meets the brooding Mr Rochester whose love and devotion has a carefully guarded secret. Can Jane find happiness at Thornfield or must she leave the one man she has ever truly loved?
I loved Jane the narrator. The language was exquisite but also accessible. The descriptions beautiful but concise. The story riveting and endearing. The flashbacks were a neat aspect to the story and I appreciated the simple and engaging way the story was told.
I loved Jane and Mr Rochester’s love. Yes, I understand he is way older than her. And he lied about his crazy lunatic wife. But when she returns to him at the end–oh my heart melts! Its beautiful to see a love that can blossom and grow amidst adversity and challenges. And I was just so happy he wasn’t mad at her for leaving him for a year. He was just overjoyed to have her back. Also, they just fit together. I loved that they were “meant to be” Yes, I’m a hopeless romantic.
I loved the story. The action was enough to keep me turning the pages and going onto the next chapter. But it wasn’t plot driven. The pace felt natural and positive. I felt like I was there with Jane along the paths of her life–eagerly traveling to Lowood School, anxiously moving to Thornfield Hall, desperately fleeing that same home after her almost wedding day, hoping against hope for relief from her starvation, discovering herself in Morton and finding family in the Rivers, suddenly finding the right moment to return to Mr Rochester. I just knew she would go back to Mr Rochester in the end. And that reunion did not disappoint.
I loved the characters. I found Jane to be a well written, complex, and engaging heroine. I appreciated her intellect, passion, and resolve to follow her heart. Mr Rochester intrigued me with his complex history, stony outer personality, and deep, unbending love for Jane. I loved little Adele and her sweet love for learning and belonging. I loved Diana and Mary Rivers–both for their kindness and their roles as sisters to Jane. I even found St John Rivers fascinating. Oh, he drives me crazy a bit with his religious fanaticism and loveless proposals, but his character is complex and rich. I must admit, I’m glad Jane did not marry him. But I kind of wish he would have married Rosamund Oliver.
It made me think. And I felt proud and happy when I finished it. A great read.
And this checks off my second book on my list for The Classics Club. Yay!
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Yeah this is a great one. My review: http://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2014/10/jane-eyre-by-charlotte-bronte-31-down.html
Which includes a brief review of the 2011 film rendition…which was fair. In general, when looking for a film of the Brontes or Austen…best to go with BBC. I’ve heard the BBC mini-series is the best rendition. Which makes sense. To do it justice it would need more than 2 hours.
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Thank you! I will have to watch that mini-series for sure. I love the BBC 6 hour Pride and Prejudice because they include all the details 🙂
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Horray for Book #2 on your list!! I so agree on Jane Eyre: it’s a page-turner! 🙂
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Thank you! It’s exciting to work on my classics list 🙂
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I read and finished Jane Eyre a few years ago for a book club, but it must have been not too impressive for me since I can’t even remember the details. After reading this review, I think it’s possible I was too young to really appreciate it back then, so I may go back and re-read it one day!
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Thanks so much for reading! I definitely appreciated it better than when I tried it as a teenager. Hope you give it another try and it is more memorable 🙂
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I could never get past the first chapters either, so when I first read it I skipped straight to when she leaves Lowood (and then went back and read the early bits later on) – think Jane and Rochester are my favourite literary couple though – and I love the 2006 mini-series 🙂
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I’m glad to find someone who had a similar experience! That was smart. It does pick up after she leaves Lowood. And I totally agree–some of my favorites too! I will have to check out that mini-series! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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I love this story, I really liked the tv adaptation too 🙂
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Me too! Which movie is your favorite? I think I have only seen one but would appreciate your recommendation 🙂
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I really liked the 2011 adaptation with Mia Wasikowska, I saw an older version years ago and I thought it was really dull. Who knows though, I might see it differently if I was to watch it again being a bit older 🙂
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Thanks for the recommendation! I will have to check it out for sure. And I totally understand that. I find I appreciate classics in general a lot more now 🙂
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