mmorenagomes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katie_345's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-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
This book was different for me to read/listen to but enjoyable. The first time I DNF it but then picked it up again and enjoyed the twists of which I didn’t see coming. The protagonist was relatable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest
guimauve's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this book, I just finished it a now want to read it all over again. The fact that this was written and published over 150 years ago is mind blowing. In my opinion this book is better than the new type of romance book. The slow burn is insane, which makes the ending that much better. Would definitely shout the name of this book from the roof tops.
readerturnedwriter's review
5.0
Jane Eyre is one of the best female protagonists I have ever read about and her story is sad, beautiful, and inspiring. Plus, the romance in this is swoon worthy. A must read.
bethany_t's review against another edition
4.0
I have a confession: This was my first time reading this popular classic. I have never even watched TV or film adaptions of it. (Though I did read Sierra Simone’s Markham Hall novella trilogy this month, which some readers described as “Jane Eyre”-inspired.) I had no familiarity with “Jane Eyre” besides an awareness that Rochester was a jerk whose wife was banging around in the attic. Beyond that, this was one of those classics I’d resisted for decades, convinced it would be stuffy and boring. Well, I’m glad I finally gave it a chance because this book won me over — not immediately, but eventually.
Jane is a delight: independent and blunt and with quite a temper. She was at her best when she was butting heads with Rochester. This book surprised me -- I didn't expect to like the romance between Rochester and Jane, but I really did. Though Rochester is certainly a huge jerk. I also really liked that this book isn't just about love. Quite a lot of the book was dedicated to Jane finding her way in the world, honing her knowledge, rethinking what freedom means, and building a life that isn't dependent on anyone. Even if that building following her flight from Thornfield Hall is a bit convenient and rushed. Instead of years going by in her journey to independence and maturity, there's only seven or so months. In that time, she just happens to run into relatives and form familial relationships she'd always lacked, inherit wealth, and Rochester's wife dies. Like I said, the ending chapters were rushed and convenient. But this book was still good overall.
One challenge in this book, though, was the language. The writing was inaccessible at times. In the first chapter, when 10-year-old Jane is reflecting on the book she’s reading, I was at a loss over what half the sentences were trying to explain. And throughout the book, colons were used frequently, in ways I’d never seen them utilized before. It is strange, considering books published around the same time period with comparable plots such as “Pride and Prejudice” (1813) and “Little Women” (1868 and 1869) feel so modern, the language almost indistinguishable from current usage. But “Jane Eyre” (1847) is difficult.
Verdict
Glad I stopped irrationally hating something I'd never read and gave it a chance. It was a nice story.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Honestly, if you like "Pride and Prejudice" and similar period piece plots, you'll love this. This book was like rain against a bay window book nook.
Jane is a delight: independent and blunt and with quite a temper. She was at her best when she was butting heads with Rochester. This book surprised me -- I didn't expect to like the romance between Rochester and Jane, but I really did. Though Rochester is certainly a huge jerk. I also really liked that this book isn't just about love. Quite a lot of the book was dedicated to Jane finding her way in the world, honing her knowledge, rethinking what freedom means, and building a life that isn't dependent on anyone. Even if that building following her flight from Thornfield Hall is a bit convenient and rushed. Instead of years going by in her journey to independence and maturity, there's only seven or so months. In that time, she just happens to run into relatives and form familial relationships she'd always lacked, inherit wealth, and Rochester's wife dies. Like I said, the ending chapters were rushed and convenient. But this book was still good overall.
One challenge in this book, though, was the language. The writing was inaccessible at times. In the first chapter, when 10-year-old Jane is reflecting on the book she’s reading, I was at a loss over what half the sentences were trying to explain. And throughout the book, colons were used frequently, in ways I’d never seen them utilized before. It is strange, considering books published around the same time period with comparable plots such as “Pride and Prejudice” (1813) and “Little Women” (1868 and 1869) feel so modern, the language almost indistinguishable from current usage. But “Jane Eyre” (1847) is difficult.
Verdict
Glad I stopped irrationally hating something I'd never read and gave it a chance. It was a nice story.
So, who would enjoy this book?
Honestly, if you like "Pride and Prejudice" and similar period piece plots, you'll love this. This book was like rain against a bay window book nook.
shancowie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.5
isabellalupin's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ghosthardware's review
5.0
"No woman was ever nearer to her mate than I am; ever more absolutely bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh."
why didn't I read this like 10-15 years ago
why didn't I read this like 10-15 years ago