Scan barcode
kirjakimalainen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
The writing is great of course but i honestly saw the story more as horror than romance. Like this is absolutely not a relationship i'd want to end up in
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Suicide
chanatova's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Ableism, Incest, and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Alcohol
pichine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
megan_harper's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I originally had rated this four stars because it really is very well written and it’s prose is beautiful. But after thinking about it a lot, I brought my reading down quite a bit. I really enjoy the character of Jane however it’s annoying that there were so many God awful human beings who were in charge of caring for her throughout her life. Jane‘s family who was charged with taking care of her after her parents died terrible. At school, all of the kids are so malnourished that half of them die from an outbreak of typhus, and Jane’s one friend end up dying of consumption. There is also a teacher who accuses Jane of being secretly Jewish masquerading as a Christian. Like, if that were true, do you blame her for not wanting to deal with your antisemitism, lady? Mr. Rochester is an absolute bitch he’s married, but his wife goes nuts so he locks her in the fucking attic And pretends that she doesn’t exist then allegedly he’s super in love with Jane, but he lies to the other woman that he’s courting and finds out she’s a gold digger so then and only then does he profess that he loves Jane. Later on, seeing the determination that Jane possesses, I was so hopeful that she would not settle for some shitty dude however she almost takes up her COUSIN (yeah, yeah Victorian England, whatever) on a marriage proposal, but then ends up going back to goddamn Mr. Rochester, who has had his hand amputated and lost an eye and a housefire that his wife that he pretended didn’t exist before she jumped off the roof to her death. Jane marries this man and spends the rest of her life, taking care of him and having his children. And then somehow he regains his vision back through the love of Jane’s heart. Anyway, I liked Jane and like 2 other characters. Everyone else sucks and I demand justice for the first Mrs. Rochester.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Antisemitism, and Religious bigotry
katie0528's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A classic gothic tale following the lonely life of Jane Eyre. Orphaned at a young age, raised by an abusive aunt, sent to boarding school, Jane finally sets out on her own to be governess at the remote Thornfield Hall, teaching the illegitimate daughter of the landowner, Mr. Rochester. But as Jane and her employer grow closer, strange things happen around them, threatening their happiness. The source of the mad wife locked in the attic trope , this story is full of mysterious intruige, strange servants, ghosts, and other supernatural phenomena that any gothic fan would love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Slavery, and Terminal illness
user613's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Mental illness and Fire/Fire injury
_king_crusty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Death
Minor: Gore
eedle_cacleberry's review against another edition
Why? Why… Why..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
isabel_is_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
“Jane Eyre” is a beautiful and impactful novel that I first read in 8th grade. Back then, my reading comprehension wasn’t as well developed as it is now, and my tastes have changed quite a bit. I didn’t and still don’t love romance, but I gave it a shot because of its classic status. I didn’t love it, but I think that’s mostly just me. I plan on re-reading it one day.
At its core, the story explores Jane’s relentless quest for home and belonging. Each segment of her life brings her closer to understanding what it means to be true to oneself, despite societal pressures and personal challenges. Brontë’s storytelling is gripping, and her execution of Jane’s character development is superb, showcasing Jane’s strength and moral integrity.
Rochester and Jane’s romance and dynamic are… interesting. I think they are good together. Jane and Rochester are each other’s intellectual equals. They are both smart, and despite the initial power dynamic (with Rochester being older and of a higher social status), they grow to care for each other deeply. Their relationship is fraught with tension, especially after the revelation of Rochester’s existing marriage to Bertha Mason. This twist showcases Jane’s moral fortitude as she refuses to become his mistress, choosing dignity and independence over passion.
While I understand why the twist made sense at the time, I find the addition of Bertha Mason to be a bit strange, especially in the context of current times. The treatment of mental illness and the racial component of her character don’t age well. Bertha Mason, also known as the madwoman in the attic, is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he keeps locked in a room on the third floor of Thornfield Hall. She is a woman from the West Indies of mixed racial ancestry and is, according to Mr. Rochester, a lunatic. Rochester’s narrative of events reveals his initial allure to her beauty and wealth, only to discover her supposed madness post-marriage. His descriptions of her as having “a violent and unreasonable temper” play into the stereotype of the “other” as exotic, mysterious, and ultimately threatening. Since Bertha lacks a voice in the novel, it’s impossible to know if she truly has a mental illness or if Rochester’s biased version distorts her true character.
Jane only marries Rochester after she becomes financially independent and has a sense of family. Rochester, now weakened, tips the balance, making their relationship more equal. This can be seen as Brontë’s way of giving Jane more autonomy, which I appreciate.
The juxtaposition between St. John and Rochester is also interesting. Rochester is passionate, while St. John is driven by principles and morality. Jane’s decision to not choose St. John but still remain financially independent and follow her moral compass shows she values both passion and integrity. She won’t be in a relationship that goes against her principles, which is compelling.
Helen Burns is another intriguing character with her differing views on religion compared to the school’s doctrine. Her submissive and soft nature contrasts with Jane’s tough-willed character, who strives for a better life instead of relying on blind faith. Yet, Jane’s belief in God to guide her makes sense within her journey.
Overall, “Jane Eyre” is a novel worth revisiting for its rich themes and character depth, even if the romance aspect isn’t my preferred genre.
At its core, the story explores Jane’s relentless quest for home and belonging. Each segment of her life brings her closer to understanding what it means to be true to oneself, despite societal pressures and personal challenges. Brontë’s storytelling is gripping, and her execution of Jane’s character development is superb, showcasing Jane’s strength and moral integrity.
Rochester and Jane’s romance and dynamic are… interesting. I think they are good together. Jane and Rochester are each other’s intellectual equals. They are both smart, and despite the initial power dynamic (with Rochester being older and of a higher social status), they grow to care for each other deeply. Their relationship is fraught with tension, especially after the revelation of Rochester’s existing marriage to Bertha Mason. This twist showcases Jane’s moral fortitude as she refuses to become his mistress, choosing dignity and independence over passion.
While I understand why the twist made sense at the time, I find the addition of Bertha Mason to be a bit strange, especially in the context of current times. The treatment of mental illness and the racial component of her character don’t age well. Bertha Mason, also known as the madwoman in the attic, is Mr. Rochester’s first wife, whom he keeps locked in a room on the third floor of Thornfield Hall. She is a woman from the West Indies of mixed racial ancestry and is, according to Mr. Rochester, a lunatic. Rochester’s narrative of events reveals his initial allure to her beauty and wealth, only to discover her supposed madness post-marriage. His descriptions of her as having “a violent and unreasonable temper” play into the stereotype of the “other” as exotic, mysterious, and ultimately threatening. Since Bertha lacks a voice in the novel, it’s impossible to know if she truly has a mental illness or if Rochester’s biased version distorts her true character.
Jane only marries Rochester after she becomes financially independent and has a sense of family. Rochester, now weakened, tips the balance, making their relationship more equal. This can be seen as Brontë’s way of giving Jane more autonomy, which I appreciate.
The juxtaposition between St. John and Rochester is also interesting. Rochester is passionate, while St. John is driven by principles and morality. Jane’s decision to not choose St. John but still remain financially independent and follow her moral compass shows she values both passion and integrity. She won’t be in a relationship that goes against her principles, which is compelling.
Helen Burns is another intriguing character with her differing views on religion compared to the school’s doctrine. Her submissive and soft nature contrasts with Jane’s tough-willed character, who strives for a better life instead of relying on blind faith. Yet, Jane’s belief in God to guide her makes sense within her journey.
Overall, “Jane Eyre” is a novel worth revisiting for its rich themes and character depth, even if the romance aspect isn’t my preferred genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Classism
asharamakumar's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perhaps the greatest downfall of my education was not having read Jane Eyre in school.
Usually when I love a book I speed through it, unable to put it down, but with Jane Eyre, I wanted to savor every word, every page, every second of it. You only get to read Jane Eyre for the first time once. It might be the only book that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to start it over again.
This is the perfect novel.
From top to bottom, it is engaging, interesting, progressive, and exciting!
The entire story is absolutely brilliant in its discussion of agency, class, gender, and place. Jane is an extremely complicated, well-developed character whose life is both tragic and incredible. Every person should be inspired by her tenacity, her strength of conviction, and her willingness to fight for herself.
I somehow managed to avoid knowing anything about the plot before reading, and if you're able to live under the same rock I did, it's totally worth it! There are so many twists!! Books just aren't like this anymore. The way the twists happen are completely masterful and have the payoff you crave in a good story. It's unexpected without being overdone or ridiculous.
Usually when I love a book I speed through it, unable to put it down, but with Jane Eyre, I wanted to savor every word, every page, every second of it. You only get to read Jane Eyre for the first time once. It might be the only book that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to start it over again.
This is the perfect novel.
From top to bottom, it is engaging, interesting, progressive, and exciting!
The entire story is absolutely brilliant in its discussion of agency, class, gender, and place. Jane is an extremely complicated, well-developed character whose life is both tragic and incredible. Every person should be inspired by her tenacity, her strength of conviction, and her willingness to fight for herself.
I somehow managed to avoid knowing anything about the plot before reading, and if you're able to live under the same rock I did, it's totally worth it! There are so many twists!! Books just aren't like this anymore. The way the twists happen are completely masterful and have the payoff you crave in a good story. It's unexpected without being overdone or ridiculous.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail