"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre is available in illustrated and free editions from the ebook catalog.
Compared to the stuffy romances of the time, Charlotte Brontë's most famous novel is a surprisingly gripping read. Even in comparison to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, which was previously ranked top of my list, Jane Eyre excels. Of note is that our heroine isn't beautiful or rich or of any social consequence. She's a poor, plain working girl whose concerns and feelings are so expertly portrayed that we almost feel they are our own.
Part of Jane's attraction is her ordinariness. Who wouldn't connect on some level with her? Through her eyes and ears we see the displays of the upper classes as an outsider--giving the social mores of the time an even more ridiculous tone. The purpose of the "genteel" characters seems no more important than the drapery. Indeed, the rolling moors and fields of scented heather claim more of our attention.
The fact that Jane Eyre sees the brooding Rochester for who is really is, and vice versa, gives both of these characters the beauty they lack physically. Jane Eyre's lower socio-economic situation makes her assertion of equality even more potent because we know she'll suffer for this knowledge. This theme ultimately and symbolically takes us to the story's conclusion. Earth, wind and fire conspire to reduce our characters to the equals they always were. Perhaps they just needed a little reassurance that they were right all along.
Discussion
Reply to Kate
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I personally love this book. My mum read it when she was my age and when we came across a beautiful edition during a trip, she recomended it to me without hesitating.
And after reading it with great interest, passionately and discovering as the beautiful review up here says, that "who wouldn't connect on some level with Jane Eyre?", I can do the same! 🙂
Jane's character really taught me a lot, and I hope I can live up to her in matters of independence, relationships and conception of one-self.
Bravo, Charlotte Bront
Thanks for your comment, Lucía. This is a novel I could read over and over, and I definitely agree with you in recommending it to others!
I'm currently reading this book & though I consider myself to be too informed concerning it's plot, I'm very much satisfied -rather, in awe -that Charlotte Bronte is one who don't need to rely much on her stories' plot to make her books interesting enough to read. Her characters are so authentic & original that I have to pause now & then just so I could relish them & consider that they're more interesting than a ton of the contemporary ones.
I agree, Noel, these characters are classic. Even if one doesn't fully like Rochester (and I believe they're are many that don't like him at all), you can't deny the fact that he's interesting. And the way Bronte interweaves the characters and plot lines is just amazing. I feel like reading this book again.
I'm 19 and I LOVE Jane Eyre!I can read it anytime! I love the characters and the story! Not many 19 year olds have read it and some tell me it's boring and it drives me mad because it's a wonderful classic novel!! I first read it when I was 11 and fell in love with Rochester! I love Jane's couage and feel like I can relate to her, I wish I was more like her.
I think everyone should read this classic novel with a cup of tea on a winter evening! Enjoy!
I first read Jane Eyre in high school, and like Kate, I felt like I was the only one in class who fell in love with this book. I even finished it well before the due date--couldn't put the darn thing down. I'm glad to see I'm not alone after all!
I love this book! It is so unlike the many others I have read. I have been reading for GCSE at the moment. I totally hate analysing books usually because it often ruins the story, but in this case I really didn't! Please, I would appreciate opinions on Jane's character. Why do you all find her interesting? It would help me a lot with the essay I have to write! thanks!
Hi Hannah, sorry for the delay in writing. Have you already finished your essay? There's lots to say about Jane! I personally love her because she's not your typical beautiful and rich heroine. She's quite accessible and "normal", and therefore I think the great majority of us who also aren't beautiful and rich can relate to her. Also there is the fact that she is an interesting person with a *quite* interesting story despite be uninteresting in appearance.
Thankyou, I have to hand in the final of my essay on wednesday the 3rd so you are just in time!
That is really helpful! That was just what I was trying to say in my essay but I could't seem to word it right. I have to agree that she leads an interesting life despite her lack in riches and beauty. When I get my grade back would you like me to post it?
Thankyou very much for replying, I really appreciate it!
Hi Hannah, I hope your essay writing went well. We'd love to see it if you want to post it. You can email it to me also (info@girlebooks.com), and maybe we can make it into a post for our blog.
Iam 19 and I do really love novels like crazy and Jane Eyre is very special to me and one of a kind,I live in KSA but Iam an Etiopian,I was very happy when I discovered this website there is hardly any public library here.so this website is a treasure.I want to have as many as possible American and British girls who are interested in reading novels and science to be friend with and i want to thank the people who are responsible.Thank you soooooooooooo much 4 this website.