Reviews with content warning for Violence - Jane Eyre: Enhanced with an Excerpt from The Madwoman Upstairs

I first read this book in middle school and was thoroughly unimpressed; but reading it again, I have absolutely fallen in love. I think it's one of those books where you can find little gems tucked away in every time you read it. There's so much commentary on this (rightful) classic that I won't say much, only that I admire Jane's character for not succumbing to things she finds demeaning or morally wrong. She faces so much pressure from her aunt, her school's discipline and Helen Burns' example, Mr. Rochester, and St. John Rivers, but she refuses to bend to anything she doesn't want. As someone who has experienced far-right, high-control religion, I particularly focused on her rejection of the mamby-pamby, turn-the-other-cheek, obedient-until-death attitude represented by Helen Burns and St. John Rivers. She is a real person, not a monolith or symbol, who makes her own way in within the systems she lives in.

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kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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carolinecronj's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

I went into this without knowing anything about the plot and would recommend you to do the same if you are still unspoilered, because some of the turns of the plot really surprised me.

What I greatly enjoyed about the book is its superb writing. Charlotte Bronte's command of the English language is nothing short of astounding, and her description of the various setting and a treat to read.

However, my main problem with Jane Eyre is the romanticisation of abusive, manipulative and toxic character traits and relationships. I could not help but cringe at many of the supposedly sweet or romantic interactions throughout the book.

Furthermore, there are some deeply misogynistic archetypes, and the language throughout the book is at times ableist, racist and colonialist.

In its own time and society, Jane Eyre was in many ways a revolutionary piece of writing and I definitely recommend it to be consumed as a historic product of its time. But if you are looking for a sweet and unproblematic love story, you should be looking somewhere else.

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mjenae's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was not the story I was expecting, and much better for it.
I thought it was going to end depressingly and therefore make me dislike it, but the ending was beautiful and relieving. I also wasn't expecting such a strong Christian perspective throughout the book, and I enjoyed that. Jane was ever one of my favorites, and although at times I did not like Mr. Rochester, I came to love him by the end. St. John, on the other hand, I never did like. Someone read this book so we can discuss the wonderfully varied cast of characters.

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