Jane Eyre {Book Review}
It has been so long since I've written a book review that I don't even remember how to type "book" anymore! Ha. No, not quite that long- but it has been embarrassingly long. I have still been reading quite a bit-but keeping it all to myself, as many times writing my thoughts up is not as much fun as reading!
I used to say Uncle Tom's Cabin was the ultimate story- but now I have been enraptured by a brit classic. Jane Eyre is so ravishing that I think I found myself drooling several times from leaving my mouth wide open in surprise. I was dumbfounded by what Bronte wrote from cover to cover. It is a story of love, of the truth of love- that it is not a passion or a movement of happiness, or a self-fulfilling experience, it is incredibly more than all of that.
Out of complete ignorance, up until now I had lumped Jane Eyre into an Austen group, clueless until my good friend said she thought I would like it. And she was very wrong. It is the best read I have ever had! Bronte spoke to so many little places in my heart.If you too have mistakenly included Jane Eyre into a silly-romancy-classic of a book group, you too are very wrong. From the first page there was a big difference in the quality of writing, the quality of the storyline...it is just so stinkin' good.
I'd hate to ruin such a book for you, but I will give you a little taste of its beauty. Jane is an orphan who is shuffled around and mistreated in many ways. When she gets a little older and is no longer of age to be a burden on her keepers she moves on to become the governess of a young girl. Jane is completely clueless as to what mysteries her life will unfold, she bears it all with courage, faith and as if a part of a higher class that would never claim her. That is all I will say. And it is a crime to leave you at that, but it would be an even greater crime to give you any more details.
What should I read that I will love as much as Jane Eyre? Oh, I wish there were some book , somewhere that I would love as much!!
- ISBN: 9780955881800
- Author: Bronte, Charlotte
- Publisher: White's Books
- Subject: Romance , Historical, Classics
- Edition Description: Trade Cloth
- Series: Fine Edition
- Publication Date: June 2010
- Binding: Hardcover
- Language: English
- Pages: 439
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May 21st, 2011 - 19:14
So, I agree that Bronte is a better writer than Austen. I do. I just hate Jane Eyre.
I was forced to read this book in the fifth grade and I am convinced wholeheartedly that despite my accelerated reading group teacher’s best intentions, she completely ruined me on classics because she made me stomach all of the themes included in this book. They’re inappropriate for a fifth grader for sure.
Some friends of mine and I all went to see the movie this year when it came out at the art film house in Scottsdale, and I hated the story then too. An instance of a teacher pushing too hard with students, sadly.
But yeah, it’s not a silly romance by any means. And if you hate Austen, you still might like Bronte. I agree.
Good review :)
May 21st, 2011 - 19:53
Bummer! So sorry you didn’t like it, I just LOVED it. I just, JUST saw the newest movie this last weekend- and now I want to read the book over even again!! I could be slightly obsessed though.
Oh, and Austen. Goodness, that is like digging my own grave. The movies are better than the books though. I will review those soon….seriously who cares about so much detail!? I have to agree with you on Austen.
May 24th, 2011 - 18:25
I read Jane Eyre again, prompted by your excitement over the movie. I loved it! I agree with you now that it is a great book.
I think, however, that the newest movie lacked a bit of Mr. Rochester’s character. Other than that the movie was very good. :)
May 26th, 2011 - 00:53
I agree, I liked Mia as Jane, but Mr. Rochester was not quite as austere or eventually loving as I imagined from the book.
May 22nd, 2011 - 08:06
Have you read Villette yet? It is my favorite of her books so far…She is such a good story teller!
May 23rd, 2011 - 01:49
No, I haven’t had the chance yet. I am reading Cranford by Elisabeth Gaskell right now and LOVE it.
May 27th, 2011 - 05:41
Elizabeth Gaskell is great. I love Cranford…but North and South is pretty great too.
May 22nd, 2011 - 08:20
I am with the dreadlock girl on this one…Jane Eyre is one of my very favorites.
My memory of reading it is also what makes it special- Dreadlock Girl’s husband :) gave me a copy for graduation, and I read it in Ukraine- in the dead of the winter, often when we didn’t have electricity, so i would read it curled up in a blanket by candlelight. Perfect.
May 22nd, 2011 - 08:21
Curious if anyone saw the recent movie? Tried to drag the husband to it, with no success.
May 23rd, 2011 - 01:50
Yes, the husband took me to see it last weekend…..I loved it. I have seen three versions now, and it is my favourite film version I have seen so far :) You should go see it.
May 26th, 2011 - 14:26
Thanks for the great review – somehow I have never read this, even with a degree in Lit! I wanted to recommend “Ahab’s Wife” if you haven’t read it yet. I don’t know if you will like it, not everyone does. But it is still my favorite of all time, and the first book I thought of when you asked in your post if anything would compare. I’m sure nothing really will :) It may have just been the perfect book for me at the time I read it, but you should check it out. Sadly, I’ve heard the author’s other books just don’t compare.
May 26th, 2011 - 15:45
I just looked it up to place a hold at the lib, is it the one inspired by Herman Melville’s Moby Dick? I just want to be sure I check out the right book! thanks so much for the suggestion Rachel. Yes, you should try Jane Eyre, and for me it started really well- and then hit a little slump, stick it out and you will be amazed by it.