Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

30 reviews

avsdhpn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.75

My exposure to classic 19th century English literature is limited, but as compared to the contemporary writing of the time (such as Austen, Dickens, or Irvine), this had much better readability. The language used is not overly full of the flourishes popular of the time, and yet still reflects upon the rhetoric unique to the 19th century. The pacing was fair and only got bogged down in the extension of a few scenes within the book. 

The characters were well written, each having their own distinct and consistent personality. It is hard to gauge the plot of a book that has been out for close to 200 years, but I recognize this as the progenitor of many popular modern tropes within literature today, so it is hard to criticize the themes based on originality, but they were implemented well enough. 

 My only criticisms are few, just that perhaps a few scenes within the book have been expanded upon as compared to others to flesh out the dynamics between characters.

I put off reading this as I figured it was above my level but I, now, encourage others to give it a go if given the chance, especially if one enjoys gothic literature full of drama, injustice, and intrigue. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse

linneak's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Colonisation, Sexism, Suicide, Bullying, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Death, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Adult/minor relationship

thewillowwood's review against another edition

dark inspiring mysterious 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

4.25

I loved this book. It has many flaws, to be sure, but it was one that I felt deeply connected to throughout.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Confinement, Blood, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Toxic relationship

bobcat_thepagemaster98's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the first time I have ever read Jane Eyre despite being an English major (how scandalous I know!!). Having read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte multiple-times and being one of my all-time favorite books, I knew I was in for a treat! 

The book begins when Jane Eyre is a rambunctious young-girl. She is forced to live her aunt, Mrs. Reed, and cousins after the death of her parents. Jane is treated unfairly and punished by Mrs. Reed. Eventually, Jane is sent away to a girls school during this time she befriends a girl named Helen. The book continues to follow Jane throughout her life, she graduates from schools and teaches there for two years until she answers an advertisement for a governess. This is where we get to meet the dark, mysterious, and wealthy Mr. Rochester. We witness both Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre fall for one another knowing their love is forbidden due to the class divide

Spoiler

and the fact that Mr. Rochester is still married to his wife, who he hides in the attic!

 

This book is considered a classic for good reason! It gives us modern readers a look into what life was like for young women in the 19th-century—what their limitations where when it comes to love, work, and opportunity. There’s politics, religion, love, and gothic spookiness all wrapped into one story. Charolette Bronte’s prose is unparallel! She began writing this book in 1846 yet feel very modern. It is intelligent, honest, and unforgiving. I believe everyone should read this book at some point in their life. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Classism, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Child abuse, and Mental illness

Minor: Misogyny

bearystarry's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Despite the … views of the time, I guess, and the fact that between the entire cast of characters there were about three redeeming qualities, I enjoyed listening to this book. The first two thirds were the most interesting and the last third sort of lagged for me but in general I guess I was just interested in the way Jane told her story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Body shaming, Ableism, Classism, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Death, Abandonment, Racism, Mental illness, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Colonisation

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Incest, and Terminal illness

moa's review against another edition

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism

lambclown's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Ableism

Minor: Death of parent

theblushbookworm's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

Reader, I read Jane Eyre. This classic was enjoyable for pleasure and not an English class pick from my perspective. The relationships are incredibly questionable and many views very outdated. But in keeping interest Jane Eyre holds up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Gore

cait's review against another edition

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, and Racial slurs

dianacally's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Mental illness