Jane Eyre
Ratings1,067
Average rating4
After way too long of a book slump (thanks grad school), I can't wait to read again. Also, I love this book.
I read and fell in love with this book as a teenager, but hadn't read it for 40 some odd years and honestly other than a vague recollection of a dark and large Mr. Rochester, his mentally ill wife in the attic and a romance, I didn't remember much about it. The first chapter didn't immediately engage me and the language initially seemed a little old-fashioned but I started reading it aloud and soon was in love with the book and the story again.
I've read this book a few times as well as doing the play in high school. Reading Jane Eyre in the breaks got me through summer school Algebra and kept my head from exploding. I think what I like most is the characters, but I also love the writing style.
Loved it, the narrative places you in the scene so she makes sure you have the full experience. So heartwarming reading
Jane Eyre is one of those books that I do not love, but I recognize its beauty and value. When I first read it back in high school or college (I can't remember which one), I did not care for it much. I remember liking the characters of Jane and Rochester, but the reading experience was tedious.
Now that I have read the book a second time, I can't say that my opinion has much changed. Reading this book took me forever (by my standards). It is very dense. Often, the extensive description of setting and the tediously long dialogue were too much for me. I had to keep putting the book down. I did not stop reading it, though, because I was enjoying the character of Jane. I like how she is practical and strong-willed. I like how uncompromising she is with her desires. At the same time, sometimes I got frustrated with her inability to be a bit more flexible. I also like Mr. Rochester. I have always preferred male characters like him who are rough around the edges. I like the build up of their romance. And the mysterious Mrs. Rochester is intriguing and adds a bit of a Gothic flare to the book that I appreciate.
The part of the story after Jane leaves Thornfield Hall was so boring for me to read. I found it especially tedious and slow. I do not like the character of St. John, no matter how moral and dutiful he is. I felt like that whole section of the book could have been skipped.
Overall, I like the story and the main characters. I recognize the value of the book and its themes. I do not, however, enjoy the read. It is slow and often dull. It's not my favorite classic, it still deserves a high rating.
For half my life, I've been told I had to read this book. And I have wanted to. Once upon a time, I planned on reading a Brontë classic every year until I grew tired of them. Year one, I read [b:Wuthering Heights|6185|Wuthering Heights|Emily Brontë|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255584435s/6185.jpg|1565818]; I enjoyed it. Year two, well, I decided to put year two off for a while. Like six years.
And it's been difficult, because for many years people have assumed that I've read Jane Eyre. Apparently, you cannot pass through college as an English major without having read Charlotte Brontë's most famous novel. And you certainly cannot attain an MFA in writing without understanding “plain Jane” and Rochester's secret. Repeatedly it has been assumed I've read it, and repeatedly I had to stop people from talking before they ruined the mystery.
I knew I'd like Jane Eyre, but what I didn't expect was the shocking surprise. I knew Rochester was hiding something—who doesn't? But, really, who in their right mind would expect that? So, somehow, all those years, I remained spoiler free. And it would be nice for me not to spoil it for the few who have not yet read it. But I'm kind of a jerk, so I don't care. Not only that, but I like to show off—I'm that guy on the beach sporting the speedo. Oh yeah, check me out! BOO YAH! Besides, the person who hasn't read the book will not believe me. I wouldn't have believed it had I heard from someone else. So screw courtesy.
Rochester's hiding something evil in his attic. It's obvious the second Jane steps foot in Thornfield Hall that someone is up there. But while I expected a ghost tale or a crazy mother, what Jane and company found was much worse...
That's right, Teddy Freakin' Ruxpin. I know what you're thinking. Either this guy is a complete dork, or this book is not what I expected. You're right.
What gets me is not so much that evil Teddy is lurking—it's what we expected from a talking bear with the eyes of a molester—it's that all these years I thought Teddy Ruxpin was the creation of some crazed toy makers. Lo and behold, the Teddy Ruxpin you once welcomed into your home and your heart was inspired by an English novel of the mid-nineteenth century. Now, don't you feel stupid? I did.
Add that to the stupidity I felt when I read Wuthering Heights and discovered that the protagonist was Heathcliff. Yeah, the cat. The 1980s were obviously very influenced by the 1840s. Thank God for the Brontë sisters, without them we probably never would've had slap bracelets, parachute pants, or Run-DMC.
Next up on my list of Bronte sisters, Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. It may be six years, but I'm sure, as I do look quite forward to it, that I will fit time in my reading schedule much sooner. I find great promise in the tale of a rich businessman and his daughter, lonely residents of Wildfell Hall. Contrary to all societal expectations, they take two poor kids from Harlem into their home and find a family.
Jane Eyre is fantastic, I am glad I read this as an adult and not younger, I feel I would have not understood her the way she deserves. I did have issue getting immersed in the story the first few chapters, part of it has to do with it being a classic (therefore an Old English, but I got used to the writing style afterward, still beautiful) and the other part is this is my first classic book. I found the story more interesting when she leaves Lowood, but I believe that reading it again could change my opinion, but for now this is my experience with it.
What I liked about this book was the deep reflexion on self-identity, and control of emotions.
Even if you aren't a fan of classics, you should definitely give this book a try. It has a slow beginning, but it really picks up. I loved Jane as a character, though there were times I didn't understand her obsession with the love interest. I think that the romance could have been built a little better because I didn't understand why she liked Rochester, but he did eventually grow on me a tad.
Jane Eyre is the story of an orphan girl, a supposedly feminist character, trying to find love, independence, and self identity. Throughout her childhood, Jane endures struggles, humiliation, and loneliness through sheer will power and strength. As an adult, she faces moral dilemmas, and continues to make difficult choices.
Whether Jane is a feminist heroine or not is debatable. The independent spirit, indomitable character, and courage to speak her mind, coupled with her strong moral compass that helps her make “morally upright” decisions without being influenced by societal circumstances or expectations would make her an arguably strong classic feminist icon in the 19th century. However, her lack of ambition, happiness in confining to gender roles, lack of anger against the injustices of the male protagonist, and ultimate decisions - which inevitably lead her to live a very conventional life would go against the very principles of what modern feminists view as women empowerment.
I, for one, think Jane is a feminist heroine for her times. Afterall, what is feminism but the freedom and the ability to make your own choices in life? Throughout the book, Jane chooses what she wants without being influenced by the people, particularly the males around her. Whether we accept her choices as feminist or not can be debatable, but the mere fact that she makes those choices is what makes her a true feminist.
In terms of morality, the book poses interesting questions. The most important question is the morality of choosing what you love and desire versus what is actually right or wrong as per your principles. This moral dilemma often presents itself in every individual's life at some point or the other, and the way you deal with it decides your morality. Another important question is the role of society in determining your morals. How does social class and societal expectations determine what is moral or immoral for you? Lastly, does an act which was initially immoral become moral due to mere change in circumstances? I think the book beautifully explores these questions.
Ultimately, I think Jane Eyre is a beautifully written book with moral dilemmas, a complex array of questionable characters, an unpredictable storyline, gothic elements, and Jane's indomitable and free spirit. The only turn off was that the book was excessively religious at places, and sometimes morally preachy. However, it doesn't take away from the otherwise enjoyable experience of reading it!
Summary: This book follows the story of its title character, Jane Eyre, who, after a trying childhood, becomes the governess of a girl who is under the guardianship of Mr. Rochester. As Jane gets to know Mr. Rochester, she finds that his personality, despite being somewhat unusual, is captivating. She also begins to sense, however, that something is not quite right in the Rochester residence, and what she discovers is more shocking than she could have even guessed.
This book starts off a little slow but gets much more interesting as it goes on. It is a book that I found compelling, frustrating, and thought-provoking.
Me Reading this at 17 years old: This is a Romance
Me Reading this in my 30s: This is a social critique of class, sexuality, racism, feminism, and above all critique of religion in particular a critical view of Calvanism which was popular at the time. I was cheering Jane on every time she spoke up for herself! This was a novel about taking and finding power and control in your life. During a time which women had power and control over almost nothing, especially women without relations and/or wealth. Love Jane! Love MMC less and less as I get older and wiser. But 17 year old me was sure into it.
4.5 stars. I actually really loved this book, this might be the first classic I've read that I think is warranted in being a classic and still being read in current times. Brontë develops concepts very well and her descriptions of visuals are unique and keenly understood. She also uses a lot of the senses and I really love when authors put a focus on more than just the visual.
This book hasn't lived up my expectations. I think it has aged poorly or, rather than our present day frame of mind is very far away from the author back in 1847 when it was first published. Jane Eyre has been often described as kind of a Victorian feminist icon. While it's true that she's got her own way of thinking, I find some traits in her that differ a lot from what we consider now an independent woman ( I resent the use of the term “empowered”). But that isn't necessarily the author's fault but a true reflection of the British society back in the day. I'm talking about the eagerness of Jane to belong to Rochester, Thus, although I can see why this novel is appealing to many people ( specially women), it is not my cup of tea. Besides I hate so many dialogue with Adele being in French without any translation.
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Este libro no ha cumplido las expectativas que tenía depositadas en él. Creo que ha envejecido mal, o más bien que nuestra forma de pensar en la actualidad está muy distante de la que tenía la autora en 1847, cuando se publicó la novela originalmente. La protagonista ha sido descrita como un cierto icono del feminismo victoriano. Aunque ciertamente posee una forma de pensar y actuar propia, encuentro que en otros aspectos ( como su anhelo de entregarse a Rochester), dista mucho de lo que ahora se considera una mujer independiente (no me gusta el término «empoderada»). Por tanto, aunque entiendo que una parte importante del público, especialmente femenino, encuentre atractivo el libro, no es mi caso. Además, en el original en inglés, que es la versión que he leído, encontré irritante que las conversaciones con Adele se dejasen en francés sin traducir, ya que no entiendo el idioma.
4.5 stars. What a great character. And a greatly told vivid story. You'd never know it was old as hell. The occasional sentence would blow me away and the dialogue is just so charming.
This is a hard no from me.
I really liked Jane and the writing was fine, and anything that didn't involved the romance was easily a *** read, but Rochester is a toxic, manipulative, gaslighting prick.
I don't care that he sorta, kinda stops being a complete dick after he loses everything. He's a raging jealous creep even then.
The way psychosis is described in this book is disgusting and offensive. A complete dehumanizing of the person. For instance using the following to describe someone “beastly”, “savage”, “snarling”, “standing up on their hind legs”. WTF.
I really, really don't get why everyone stans this book so hard. From gross classism to unbridled misogyny to straight up abuse. Yuck. No.