avi123's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
fictionallysam's review against another edition
3.0
This was a classic that I actually low key...enjoyed reading? Like from the very beginning we are instantly hooked on the shitty life of Jane Eyre and because I love a good tea I was chugging it by the gallon with this one. The language was easier to digest than the other classics I have read, but I honestly could not for the life of me click or connect with the romance in this one. While I was captivated by the drama that is her life, I really wanted to choke a lot of these characters (and when I say a lot I mean all of them). Yeah not a fan was I on this front. Jane has the literal worst luck ever, from her parents death to being lied to on her wedding day, I honest believe Jane needs a vacation and I need a margarita.
emmyclute's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
2020adewitt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I’ve never reviewed a classic before, but here goes:
The majority of this novel is incredibly slow, it took me nine months to read the first half because I never wanted to pick it up. However, about 50% thru, the plot picks up and I had an easier time reading. There was actually a huge plot point that surprised me and I did enjoy some of the ending scenes. I also enjoyed the autobiographical feel the novel had.
Spoiler
(Jane finding out she had family)If it wasn’t a classic, I would’ve dnfed almost immediately. Jane’s entire time at Lowood could have been summarized in two pages, it dragged by so slowly, and is only mentioned a handful of times afterwards. I can see why this book was so incredible at the time it was published, truly, but obviously, it doesn’t hold that same merit today. Mr. Rochester was so insufferable, and the whole sideplot with St. John felt very disgustingly unnecessary. All the men in this novel do is talk about absolutely nothing.
chmccann's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. We just got the Bertha reveal, and there's still SEVEN HOURS of book left? I'm done.
This doesn't even have a plot - it's a stultifying series of events that occasionally runs across a brief plot, then moves on to resume a mere catalog of experiences by the protagonist, most of them ridiculously dolorous, and told in the most verbose and moralizing way possible. How did I manage to read this in junior high?
Thandie Newton does a lovely job, but cannot save this.
(For the record, I understand the important influence of this book in western literature - hence the second star. It can be revolutionary and influential without actually being, you know, good.)
This doesn't even have a plot - it's a stultifying series of events that occasionally runs across a brief plot, then moves on to resume a mere catalog of experiences by the protagonist, most of them ridiculously dolorous, and told in the most verbose and moralizing way possible. How did I manage to read this in junior high?
Thandie Newton does a lovely job, but cannot save this.
(For the record, I understand the important influence of this book in western literature - hence the second star. It can be revolutionary and influential without actually being, you know, good.)
booksshehasfoundareawaytolive's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
spiral's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
lucinda08's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
lichreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Spoiler
Being someone who 18 not very long ago, I sympathize with Jane Eyre's thoughts on love and marriage throughout the story (save the ending). Which is why the actual plot of the story was disappointing.Edward Rochester groomed an 18 year old girl and was able to marry him. Despite the controversial opinions on the morality of age-gaps in relationships, I could not get behind this one. Rochester lied to Jane, and manipulated her, with or without his knowledge of these things is irrelevant.
Rochester's first wife, Bertha, clearly displayed the English views regarding colonialism and imperialism, being imprisoned by Rochester for not meeting the expectation of being a docile wife. Her turning to violence is entirely justified considering the violence done to her throughout their marriage. Jane's white womanhood is very clearly on display, ultimately accepting and redeeming her beloved Mr. Rochester after his late wife ends her own life after setting his manor ablaze. She turns to sympathizes with him rather than Bertha, who felt that her story can only end in her death, and sought it on her own terms.
At the end of the day, I feel sorry for Jane for not having the tools to learn more about the source of Mr. Rochester's affections, and how to utilize her agency. She was a child who married a middle-aged man.