leahthenerd's review against another edition
4.0
4 - bloody hell I thought it'd never finish. it was great, don't get me wrong, but it was a lengthy piece for sure. you bet your ass I was damn near crying at the end though
limonik's review against another edition
5.0
Jane Eyre is such a fantastic book that empowers women through the journey of Jane Eyre. This book is not about love or lust. This book is about Jane Eyre as she evolves from being a supressed orphan into a rebellious girl, from being no one into being a succesful student. She blossoms into a succesful teacher, into a single working woman that discovers love without having to bow down to her man. She loves and is loved, discovers lust and passion, experiences heartbreak and misery. Jane Eyre is a very strong woman who is able to leave it all behind just to be herself, just to be free. She could survive without any food, money or shelter. She can find her way, she never accepts to be ruled or lead. She discovers herself. Therefore, she is Jane Eyre. This is a fantastic book about Jane Eyre, a strong feminist woman.
lynseyreads's review against another edition
challenging
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
ghadasreads's review against another edition
4.0
It did get overly descriptive at times, but for a nineteenth century work of fiction, Jane Eyre's character reaches perfection. Bronte doesn't aim to build a typical beauty who succumbs to all her lover's wishes, no. She builds Jane as a true feminist icon, someone with physical flaws and hardships since childhood, yet someone who overcomes everything and takes unconventional paths just to stay true to her nature and become a true independant woman of her own will.
haly_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a must read classic. The story of Jane Eyre is the story of every woman who values self-respect, dignity, freedom, and independence more than financial status and class. The story seemed to start like the typical Cinderella-stepmother trope, but no, Jane is not the one who is meek and timid, but someone who is stubborn and firm in her form and thought, ever since she was young. Right from her solitary journey from Gateshead to Lowood, and then to Thornfield to finally become homeless and reach Moor House, to at last settle in Ferndean Manor, she undergoes a transformation that's more than physical, but also spiritual. The first thing that came to my mind was that she is favoured by some supernatural element, call it her guardian angel or luck. She escapes Gateshead after experiencing a deathly fit in her late uncle's room, helps her companion Helen Burns finally ascend the after life peacefully by conversing with her one last time, and she is favoured once again when St. John tries to bring her under his control. I was mesmerized by the part wherein Jane understands that Rochester was indeed screaming Jane! Jane! Jane! in his manor, which helped her escape her cousin, though both of them were a thousand miles away.
Now coming to Rochester, I find his character pitiful yet frightening at the same time. I hate and love him at the same time. Thankfully, he did love Jane as true as she did, but the way he expressed his love was more like snatching her and pushing into a cage. He by asking her to become Mrs. Rochester wishes her to become completely submissive to him, which Jane can't do. She wishes to be as free as she was when she was a mere governess. Rochester's love for Jane resembles more like a person who tries to quench his thirst by standing under a waterfall- it's deeply overwhelming. That pushes him to try attaining Jane through marriage at whatever cost, whilst Jane shields her dignity when her moral compass asks her to leave Rochester and Thornfield once and for all. This dominant attitude of Rochester, I didn't like. But when he saves the servants first and also tries to save Bertha Mason during the raging fire caused by Bertha herself, I couldn't help but feel for him, for yes, he's self-centred but not villainous. He wants to live with a wife whom he finds his emotional as well as intellectual equal. But his past keeps pulling him down into the abyss. It's astonishing to realise that sadly people with a character of his still exist in our lives even today.
As for Bertha Mason, I, like any reader feel horrified when her demonic stature is described in the book. But she is never given a chance to give her account (and she can't give at all if any, for she's sadly not sane). Yet when Jane describes her tearing the wedding veil, the reader could feel the terror that Bertha Mason was. Her character stems from the fact that madness was in her lineage, leaving almost none to be saved. He madness remains a barrier as Rochester cannot divorce her under such circumstances. He doesn't leave her in her doom but appoints a nurse to look after her, and locks her in the attic. In many ways Bertha and Jane are like one, and again, in many ways, they are quite dissimilar.
I also loved Jane when she feels ready to live life in her own terms instead of continuing teaching in St. John's school. The reader, I suppose, might have assumed she would have stayed in that school teaching as it was her dream, mentioned in the previous chapters of the book. But no, Jane says that she wants to enjoy her life as well as by cultivating others. This clearly disappoints St. John who feels Jane should invest her lifetime in working for the poor and God, just like him.
Towards the end of the book, Rochester feels that his blind and crippled state might not be equal to Jane, as she also inherits her uncle's wealth. But then again, he doesn't force her away. When Jane finally accepts him as he was, is, and will be, Rochester open-handedly accepts Jane. This makes them equal to each other as Jane says that she had become his whole world, while he, hers. Finally there's no space for pity but only mutual love.
Thus Jane Eyre is not that novel which pines upon love and love alone. It's safe to say that it explores a wide range of issues faced during the Victorian times- the lives of governesses, psychology, bigamy, education, and much more.
Now coming to Rochester, I find his character pitiful yet frightening at the same time. I hate and love him at the same time. Thankfully, he did love Jane as true as she did, but the way he expressed his love was more like snatching her and pushing into a cage. He by asking her to become Mrs. Rochester wishes her to become completely submissive to him, which Jane can't do. She wishes to be as free as she was when she was a mere governess. Rochester's love for Jane resembles more like a person who tries to quench his thirst by standing under a waterfall- it's deeply overwhelming. That pushes him to try attaining Jane through marriage at whatever cost, whilst Jane shields her dignity when her moral compass asks her to leave Rochester and Thornfield once and for all. This dominant attitude of Rochester, I didn't like. But when he saves the servants first and also tries to save Bertha Mason during the raging fire caused by Bertha herself, I couldn't help but feel for him, for yes, he's self-centred but not villainous. He wants to live with a wife whom he finds his emotional as well as intellectual equal. But his past keeps pulling him down into the abyss. It's astonishing to realise that sadly people with a character of his still exist in our lives even today.
As for Bertha Mason, I, like any reader feel horrified when her demonic stature is described in the book. But she is never given a chance to give her account (and she can't give at all if any, for she's sadly not sane). Yet when Jane describes her tearing the wedding veil, the reader could feel the terror that Bertha Mason was. Her character stems from the fact that madness was in her lineage, leaving almost none to be saved. He madness remains a barrier as Rochester cannot divorce her under such circumstances. He doesn't leave her in her doom but appoints a nurse to look after her, and locks her in the attic. In many ways Bertha and Jane are like one, and again, in many ways, they are quite dissimilar.
I also loved Jane when she feels ready to live life in her own terms instead of continuing teaching in St. John's school. The reader, I suppose, might have assumed she would have stayed in that school teaching as it was her dream, mentioned in the previous chapters of the book. But no, Jane says that she wants to enjoy her life as well as by cultivating others. This clearly disappoints St. John who feels Jane should invest her lifetime in working for the poor and God, just like him.
Towards the end of the book, Rochester feels that his blind and crippled state might not be equal to Jane, as she also inherits her uncle's wealth. But then again, he doesn't force her away. When Jane finally accepts him as he was, is, and will be, Rochester open-handedly accepts Jane. This makes them equal to each other as Jane says that she had become his whole world, while he, hers. Finally there's no space for pity but only mutual love.
Thus Jane Eyre is not that novel which pines upon love and love alone. It's safe to say that it explores a wide range of issues faced during the Victorian times- the lives of governesses, psychology, bigamy, education, and much more.
rowanrelph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
mi11i's review against another edition
4.0
overall a really good book and i genuinely loved it but some bits dragged on and the cousin marriage proposal was dodge ngl
helreadss's review against another edition
4.0
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontë
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
To sum up the book shortly, Jane Eyre follows the orphan Jane from her miserable childhood to her becoming a governess at Thornfield Hall. There she works for the cold, mysterious Mr Rochester.
I might have found a new favourite of mine. Jane Eyre is an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles an excessive amount of topics: child neglect and abuse, death, hope, madness, friendship, forgiveness, female empowerment, social classes and love. Although love is a greater theme in the book, this is NOT a love story.
Jane Eyre is another book I have read for my gothic literature journey. It incorporates many, if not all, gothic elements; an old mansion with a dark secret, an eerie atmosphere, the wording school, exploration of mental illness, and a slight possibility of a haunting.
I adore books written in first-person narrative. I feel more engaged in the story, and Jane Eyre achieved precisely that. Jane narrates the story of her own life and sometimes addresses the reader throughout the story. All that makes the reading experience even more intimate and vivid.
I love Jane’s character; straightforward and honest, conscious of her social status, determined to express her opinion no matter what, and independent. Even when it comes to the love of her life, her rules of morality stay in her mind.
Until the last about 100 pages, I slightly disliked Mr Rochester. HOWEVER, his love confession (at the beginning and the end) were passionate, beautiful, heartwarming….. He may be 20 years older than Jane, and he may be her employer, but that’s fiiiineeee. Also, I adored their constant bickering and teasing.
I think Jane’s story is really empowering and inspirational despite all the sorrow and misfortunes. Or maybe BECAUSE of that. Although she experiences the most horrible things, she still has hope, and this pays off in the end.
I have now read a total of 9 books for my #gothicbookschallenge and I am always looking for more gothic books. Feel free to join my on my journey! Also, should I do a post on my list of gothic books?
Let me know if you’ve read Jane Eyre, and if so, how did you like it? Do you know any gothic books I should read?
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Have a great day<3
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
To sum up the book shortly, Jane Eyre follows the orphan Jane from her miserable childhood to her becoming a governess at Thornfield Hall. There she works for the cold, mysterious Mr Rochester.
I might have found a new favourite of mine. Jane Eyre is an absolutely gorgeous book that tackles an excessive amount of topics: child neglect and abuse, death, hope, madness, friendship, forgiveness, female empowerment, social classes and love. Although love is a greater theme in the book, this is NOT a love story.
Jane Eyre is another book I have read for my gothic literature journey. It incorporates many, if not all, gothic elements; an old mansion with a dark secret, an eerie atmosphere, the wording school, exploration of mental illness, and a slight possibility of a haunting.
I adore books written in first-person narrative. I feel more engaged in the story, and Jane Eyre achieved precisely that. Jane narrates the story of her own life and sometimes addresses the reader throughout the story. All that makes the reading experience even more intimate and vivid.
I love Jane’s character; straightforward and honest, conscious of her social status, determined to express her opinion no matter what, and independent. Even when it comes to the love of her life, her rules of morality stay in her mind.
Until the last about 100 pages, I slightly disliked Mr Rochester. HOWEVER, his love confession (at the beginning and the end) were passionate, beautiful, heartwarming….. He may be 20 years older than Jane, and he may be her employer, but that’s fiiiineeee. Also, I adored their constant bickering and teasing.
I think Jane’s story is really empowering and inspirational despite all the sorrow and misfortunes. Or maybe BECAUSE of that. Although she experiences the most horrible things, she still has hope, and this pays off in the end.
I have now read a total of 9 books for my #gothicbookschallenge and I am always looking for more gothic books. Feel free to join my on my journey! Also, should I do a post on my list of gothic books?
Let me know if you’ve read Jane Eyre, and if so, how did you like it? Do you know any gothic books I should read?
Thank you for taking the time to read this! Have a great day<3
mdakin7799's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0