mmefish's review against another edition
I mostly love reading classics; the romanticism, the drama and the struggles—combined with beautiful prose—usually enchant me. But then there's classics like Jane Eyre.
I'm not judging this book bases on how progressive it was at the time, since I'm not informed enough on the topic. I'm judging it based on how interesting the plot, the characters and the setting are. Sadly, not at all.
Jane is the most developed character in the book (naturally) but I don't feel a thing for her. It seems to me she exist solely so the plot would move around someone. She is numb. She is quiet. She is boring. And so is the plot. We are moved from place to place, where a small number of anything exciting happens —just to be quickly forgotten—without a clear goal. Jane is abused in her aunt's house, Jane is sent to a boarding school, Jane skips 8 years of her life and moves on to be a governess in someone else's house. Meanwhile side characters come and go, adding very little to the story. So when Jane loves or hates someone, I can't feel the same, because ultimately nothing really matters. We follow Jane around, and that's just it: follow.
And so, "Jane Eyre" is not entertaining, not exciting, not intriguing, not new (to the modern reader) or informative. It just is.
I'm not judging this book bases on how progressive it was at the time, since I'm not informed enough on the topic. I'm judging it based on how interesting the plot, the characters and the setting are. Sadly, not at all.
Jane is the most developed character in the book (naturally) but I don't feel a thing for her. It seems to me she exist solely so the plot would move around someone. She is numb. She is quiet. She is boring. And so is the plot. We are moved from place to place, where a small number of anything exciting happens —just to be quickly forgotten—without a clear goal. Jane is abused in her aunt's house, Jane is sent to a boarding school, Jane skips 8 years of her life and moves on to be a governess in someone else's house. Meanwhile side characters come and go, adding very little to the story. So when Jane loves or hates someone, I can't feel the same, because ultimately nothing really matters. We follow Jane around, and that's just it: follow.
And so, "Jane Eyre" is not entertaining, not exciting, not intriguing, not new (to the modern reader) or informative. It just is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse
sorryviolet's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief, Classism, and Death
gladduck's review
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
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
Great book, I really related to Jane. A lot of her thoughts were exact ones I had before which made the book very fun to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Ableism
Minor: Classism, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, Child death, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
ggcd1981's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Escrever uma review de clássicos é sempre difícil para mim pois não tenho nenhum insight inovador sobre a obra, assim me limito a escrever sobre minha experiência de leitura de Jane Eyre. O livro é guiado pela personagem Jane Eyre que narra a sua vida ao leitor. A personagem conta os eventos que a formaram e a tornaram, do meu ponto de vista, uma mulher forte, resiliente e independente que viveu sua vida de acordo com suas próprias escolhas e código moral. Jane, que é descrita como de aparência comum, é inteligente, honesta e simples, forçada a lidar com a opressão, a desigualdade e as dificuldades impostas as mulheres no século XIX. Embora ela se depare com uma série de indivíduos que ameaçam sua autonomia, Jane sempre consegue se afirmar e manter seus princípios de justiça, dignidade e moralidade. Ela dá valor a realização intelectual e emocional, assim como acredita na igualdade de gênero e social desafiando os preconceitos vitorianos contra as mulheres e os pobres. Por sua narrativa conhecemos diversos personagens que marcaram sua história:
Esta obra é um clássico gótico, isso está claro na atmosfera da narrativa. Gosto bastante de histórias góticas e Jane Eyre não me decepcionou. A escrita de Charlotte Brontë é excelente e no Audiobook que escutei a atriz Thandie Newton conferiu uma ótima interpretação do texto da autora. O enredo em alguns momentos me deu a impressão de dispersar, mas isso é compreensível pois o foco da obra é aprofundar a personagem Jane Eyre à medida que a mesma se depara com uma diversidade de obstáculos pessoais. Em alguns momentos houveram soluções convenientes para os problemas de Jane, mas isto não me impediu de gostar da história. O livro tem um clima de mistério, especialmente no que diz respeito a esposa escondida, mas infelizmente já tinha recebido o spoiler. Imagino que teria sido ainda mais intrigante ler sem saber antes da existência de Bertha. A narrativa é lógica, porém, como havia mencionado, em alguns momentos soluções por demais convenientes desafiaram um pouco essa lógica. Gostei de Jane Eyre, tanto da obra quanto da personagem, contudo, uma ressalva que faço, deixando claro que é uma questão de preferência pessoal e não um defeito do livro, é que teria preferido que Jane tivesse recusado a oferta de St. John de forma mais assertiva. Ele havia se mostrado um pouco manipulador e eu gostaria que o “Não” de Jane viesse dela mesma e não tivesse sido uma consequência da descoberta de que Rochester havia se tornado viúvo e debilitado e necessitava da ajuda da protagonista. Como mulher Jane Eyre foi uma obra que me inspirou e apesar de tão conhecida, eu tive o spoiler sobre a esposa, a maior parte da história que não conhecia me manteve interessada em seu desenvolvimento. A importância da obra é clara e gostei da experiência de leitura. Dou 4.75 estrelas apenas porque faltou a sensação especial que um livro 5 estrelas merece.
Spoiler
A Sra. Reed, a tia cruel de Jane, que a cria em Gateshead Hall até Jane ser mandada para a Escola Lowood aos dez anos. Mais tarde em sua vida, Jane tenta a reconciliação com sua tia, mas a idosa continua a se ressentir dela porque seu marido sempre amou Jane mais do que seus próprios filhos; Helen Burns se torna a primeira amiga íntima de Jane em Lowood. Ela suporta sua vida difícil na escola com uma dignidade passiva que Jane não conseguia entender. Helen morre de tuberculose nos braços da protagonista; Adèle Varens é a primeira e única pupila de Jane como tutora em Thornfield. Ela é uma criança francesa esperta, embora um tanto mimada. O Sr. Rochester a trouxe para Thornfield depois que sua mãe, Celine, a abandonou. Embora Celine tenha sido amante de Rochester, ele não acredita ser o pai de Adèle. Ao fim da narrativa descobrimos que a garota após crescer se torna uma boa companheira para a protagonista; Edward Rochester, empregador de Jane e mestre de Thornfield, é um homem rico e apaixonado com um segredo que fornece muito do suspense do romance. Sr. Rochester é não convencional, pronto para deixar de lado as boas maneiras, a propriedade e a consideração da classe social para interagir com Jane de forma franca e direta. Ele é imprudente e impetuoso e passou grande parte de sua vida adulta vagando pela Europa na tentativa de evitar as consequências de seus erros da juventude. Seus problemas são em parte o resultado de sua própria imprudência, mas ele é uma figura que desperta empatia porque sofreu por muito tempo como resultado de seu casamento precoce e impensado com Bertha. Sr. Rochester, apesar de casado, parece nutrir profundo e sincero amor por Jane; Bertha Mason, a esposa oculta de Rochester, é uma personagem POC, bela e rica que infelizmente se tornou insana, violenta e bestial. Ela vive trancada em uma sala secreta no terceiro andar de Thornfield e é guardada por Grace Poole, cujos ocasionais acessos de embriaguez às vezes permitem que a enferma Sra. Rochester escape. Bertha eventualmente queima Thornfield, se atirando do telhado para a morte nas chamas; St. John Rivers, junto com suas irmãs, Mary e Diana, St. John (pronuncia-se “Sinjin”) serve como benfeitor de Jane depois que ela foge de Thornfield, dando-lhe comida e abrigo quando ela está doente e desamparada. O personagem é ministro da paroquia de Morton e é caracterizado como frio, reservado e muitas vezes controlador em suas interações com os outros. Porque ele é totalmente alienado de seus sentimentos e dedicado exclusivamente a uma ambição austera de natureza religiosa, St. John serve como um contraste para Edward Rochester. A proposta de casamento de St. John a Jane é o último obstáculo que a protagonista enfrenta para retornar a seu amado e por fim viúvo Sr. Rochester na conclusão do livro.Esta obra é um clássico gótico, isso está claro na atmosfera da narrativa. Gosto bastante de histórias góticas e Jane Eyre não me decepcionou. A escrita de Charlotte Brontë é excelente e no Audiobook que escutei a atriz Thandie Newton conferiu uma ótima interpretação do texto da autora. O enredo em alguns momentos me deu a impressão de dispersar, mas isso é compreensível pois o foco da obra é aprofundar a personagem Jane Eyre à medida que a mesma se depara com uma diversidade de obstáculos pessoais. Em alguns momentos houveram soluções convenientes para os problemas de Jane, mas isto não me impediu de gostar da história. O livro tem um clima de mistério, especialmente no que diz respeito a esposa escondida, mas infelizmente já tinha recebido o spoiler. Imagino que teria sido ainda mais intrigante ler sem saber antes da existência de Bertha. A narrativa é lógica, porém, como havia mencionado, em alguns momentos soluções por demais convenientes desafiaram um pouco essa lógica. Gostei de Jane Eyre, tanto da obra quanto da personagem, contudo, uma ressalva que faço, deixando claro que é uma questão de preferência pessoal e não um defeito do livro, é que teria preferido que Jane tivesse recusado a oferta de St. John de forma mais assertiva. Ele havia se mostrado um pouco manipulador e eu gostaria que o “Não” de Jane viesse dela mesma e não tivesse sido uma consequência da descoberta de que Rochester havia se tornado viúvo e debilitado e necessitava da ajuda da protagonista.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Ableism, Sexism, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Moderate: Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Classism, and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, Child abuse, Grief, and Violence
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
DISCLAIMER - I read this text as a set text for university meaning I did not pick this up for myself. It does not fit my usual reading selection so my review may be rather biased.
This is the first ever classical novel that I have read that I truly adored. With a purely descriptive writing style, a relatively loveable heroine and a complex moral story, I really enjoyed Jane Eyre.
Bronte's writing is delightful and although long winded at times, beautiful, with lots of extended metaphors and references to the supernatural and fantastical. One other downside to the writing is that of the different languages that are sometimes used; this does add to the book however you may need a translator to understand completly what is being said in dialogue. This in itself is an easy solution to a small problem.
The story is interesting as we follow a girl throughout her childhood as she becomes an adult woman. This is one of the first novels to do this in its time, with less of a focus on marriage and courtship. Instead the focus is on Jane and her life and adventures.
I would highly recommend as a relatively accessible and interesting, classic!
This is the first ever classical novel that I have read that I truly adored. With a purely descriptive writing style, a relatively loveable heroine and a complex moral story, I really enjoyed Jane Eyre.
Bronte's writing is delightful and although long winded at times, beautiful, with lots of extended metaphors and references to the supernatural and fantastical. One other downside to the writing is that of the different languages that are sometimes used; this does add to the book however you may need a translator to understand completly what is being said in dialogue. This in itself is an easy solution to a small problem.
The story is interesting as we follow a girl throughout her childhood as she becomes an adult woman. This is one of the first novels to do this in its time, with less of a focus on marriage and courtship. Instead the focus is on Jane and her life and adventures.
I would highly recommend as a relatively accessible and interesting, classic!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, Racism, Blood, Suicide, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
aegireads's review
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
i wish it was about a hundred pages shorter is all?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child death, Confinement, Chronic illness, Classism, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Xenophobia, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Racism
gnomee_k's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Classism, Death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Gaslighting, Injury/injury detail, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, and Racism
Minor: Gore, Death of parent, Cursing, Medical content, and Blood
hanna's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
I managed to resist Snape, The Darkling, allll the other bad guys you can think of but Mr. Rochester was the one to do me in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Death of parent
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
This was the first book I have read from one of the Brontë sisters. I did not know anything about what this book was about prior to picking it up, and I definitely think that not knowing anything really aided in my enjoyment.
"Jane Eyre" follows a young girl, Jane Eyre, throughout the majority of her life. When Jane was very young, her parents passed away, and her loving uncle took her in, despite her aunt's desire to leave Jane to find her own way. Not too long after, her uncle passes away as well, and Jane is left in a home where she is unwanted, and her aunt is plotting to be rid of her. Jane is sent away to a miserable school for girls where she spends the rest of her childhood as a student and become a teacher for two years. She then moves on to be a governess and continues to bravely face the adversity a young woman orphan faces in these challenging times.
If you are looking for a classic that will make you laugh, cry, be consumed by anger, and that makes you believe in love, this is the book for you! I was not expecting to be so sucked into Jane's story, but I was. Jane is the epitome of a strong woman; she is smart, confident, and willing to do whatever she needs to in order to keep her life moving forward. Every time Jane seemed to get some solid footing and make moves that would better her seemingly dreadful life, something outside of her control would arise and foil her latest venture. Jane is such a relatable character, even today.
This quickly became one of my favorite classics, and I look forward to reading more of the Brontë sisters.
"Jane Eyre" follows a young girl, Jane Eyre, throughout the majority of her life. When Jane was very young, her parents passed away, and her loving uncle took her in, despite her aunt's desire to leave Jane to find her own way. Not too long after, her uncle passes away as well, and Jane is left in a home where she is unwanted, and her aunt is plotting to be rid of her. Jane is sent away to a miserable school for girls where she spends the rest of her childhood as a student and become a teacher for two years. She then moves on to be a governess and continues to bravely face the adversity a young woman orphan faces in these challenging times.
If you are looking for a classic that will make you laugh, cry, be consumed by anger, and that makes you believe in love, this is the book for you! I was not expecting to be so sucked into Jane's story, but I was. Jane is the epitome of a strong woman; she is smart, confident, and willing to do whatever she needs to in order to keep her life moving forward. Every time Jane seemed to get some solid footing and make moves that would better her seemingly dreadful life, something outside of her control would arise and foil her latest venture. Jane is such a relatable character, even today.
This quickly became one of my favorite classics, and I look forward to reading more of the Brontë sisters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Classism, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
ado33's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Classism, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest, Death of parent, and Mental illness