Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Jane Eyre

This is such a beautiful book. Perhaps one of my most favourite classics ever. Jane Eyre is just a complete and utter masterpiece. I am here for the love story, but I am also so here for Jane's character. Her kindness, boldness and willpower had no bounds.

I feel as though I could talk about this book forever, but one of my ultimate favourite things about this book is Jane herself and the way she processes things in her life. I loved the way the book was set out as an autobiography, and I liked how Jane addressed the reader directly on occasions as it just felt so personal. One thing I love about Jane is how she empowers herself. I love how she stuck to her values and principles and how she encourages herself, her peers, and the reader, to take charge of their own destiny and to follow their heart. She is so ambitious and a 'curious bird', wanting to break the mould of her gender roles and make her own decisions.

Obviously Mr. Rochester comes with many red flags, but what I loved about his character was his moments of joviality, his wit and his care for Jane. My feelings towards him are everywhere, but I liked his character overall. One thing I also like about the way he is depicted, is that he isn't a heart-throb or a drop-dead gorgeous rich man ready to get rid of your troubles at the click of his fingers. He is a standard looking man, and his appearance worsens under the circumstances at the end. The same goes for Jane, she is 'plain and obscure' but this is a nice contrast to the picture-perfect couple you see in other novels. Both characters are chosing to be involved in each other for their qualities as people, and that was so much more realistic to me. I like Rochester for his depth of character too, his complications as a man make him a good one to analyse.

It also doesn't read like a typical classic, the prose is so easy to read and easy to understand and this made me feel so engrossed in it even more. Bronte uses such lyrical and intense prose to convey the emotional depth of the events and character's feelings, but it reads so well. Bronte really makes you feel the intensity of every character, every setting and every scene. It is truly beautifully written.

I will end up rambling about this for a long time, but basically, it is one of my most favourite books. I will re-read this for years to come and find comfort in this story.

Content Warnings

mme_carton's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.0

Content Warnings

More...