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emilyb_chicago's review against another edition
3.0
In many ways, this book was shockingly contemporary feeling, even though the language itself was quite classic. I see the roots of many other stories in this book.
Generally, I found Jane an interesting character who learned from her mistakes. Even though she made some ridiculous and very teen feeling choices. In at least two parts her actions made me want to throw the book or talk some sense into Jane.
There is action toward the end that I found very engaging. I see why people fall in love with this book, I just wasn’t one of those people.
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Generally, I found Jane an interesting character who learned from her mistakes. Even though she made some ridiculous and very teen feeling choices. In at least two parts her actions made me want to throw the book or talk some sense into Jane.
There is action toward the end that I found very engaging. I see why people fall in love with this book, I just wasn’t one of those people.
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wh4tney's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
maddynd06's review against another edition
2.0
2/5
I don’t entirely know how I feel about this. On one hand, I was pissed off the entire time I was reading this because I found Rochester to be insufferable, and I got annoyed at Jane for liking him. However, I loved the writing style itself. I can’t say I enjoyed the book, hence the 2 stars, but I can understand how some people would like it. I can acknowledge that it is objectively a good book, it just wasn’t for me. Also, I feel inclined to mention that my professor made us watch the movie before reading the book, and I feel that negatively impacted my experience of reading the novel.
Rochester is, in all honesty, my main grievance with the book. I did not like him one bit. I was constantly irritated with him, and I despised the way he spoke to Jane. I was losing my mind over the amount of times he called Jane “little friend” or something similar. I could not look past it. Also, I know the intention was for him to be brooding and have a hard exterior, yet still have some good in him. He is supposed to be a likable character, but I actually despise him.
In terms of Jane, I don’t love her and I don’t hate her. She was not a strong enough character for me to feel any particular way about her, but I will say I loved her determination. Once she set her mind to something, she did it 100%. I typically love a happy ending in books (actually that’s kind of not true, I love sad endings) but I did not want them to end up together. I was so frustrated when she went back to him, married him, and had a son with him. I wanted her to stay away from him. I want to mention, I absolutely did not want her to be with St. John, but I definitely did not want her with Rochester either. I almost wish the book ended right when she ran away from Thornfield.
In terms of the writing itself, I thought it was absolutely phenomenal. The descriptions, supernatural elements, and narration were so well written. Jane’s inner monologue is intriguing and adds a lot of depth to the novel.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book much, but I do respect it. Objectively, it is a good book, I just did not personally like it.
Original Thoughts: Be so fucking for real Jane Eyre.
I don’t entirely know how I feel about this. On one hand, I was pissed off the entire time I was reading this because I found Rochester to be insufferable, and I got annoyed at Jane for liking him. However, I loved the writing style itself. I can’t say I enjoyed the book, hence the 2 stars, but I can understand how some people would like it. I can acknowledge that it is objectively a good book, it just wasn’t for me. Also, I feel inclined to mention that my professor made us watch the movie before reading the book, and I feel that negatively impacted my experience of reading the novel.
Rochester is, in all honesty, my main grievance with the book. I did not like him one bit. I was constantly irritated with him, and I despised the way he spoke to Jane. I was losing my mind over the amount of times he called Jane “little friend” or something similar. I could not look past it. Also, I know the intention was for him to be brooding and have a hard exterior, yet still have some good in him. He is supposed to be a likable character, but I actually despise him.
In terms of Jane, I don’t love her and I don’t hate her. She was not a strong enough character for me to feel any particular way about her, but I will say I loved her determination. Once she set her mind to something, she did it 100%. I typically love a happy ending in books (actually that’s kind of not true, I love sad endings) but I did not want them to end up together. I was so frustrated when she went back to him, married him, and had a son with him. I wanted her to stay away from him. I want to mention, I absolutely did not want her to be with St. John, but I definitely did not want her with Rochester either. I almost wish the book ended right when she ran away from Thornfield.
In terms of the writing itself, I thought it was absolutely phenomenal. The descriptions, supernatural elements, and narration were so well written. Jane’s inner monologue is intriguing and adds a lot of depth to the novel.
Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book much, but I do respect it. Objectively, it is a good book, I just did not personally like it.
Original Thoughts: Be so fucking for real Jane Eyre.
izythebizybee's review against another edition
4.0
Though Jane Eyre can be considered a romance novel, simply leaving it at that would be doing it a disservice.
When Jane first left Mr. Rochester after finding out about Bertha, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by her strength (and, consequently, ashamed at my lack thereof). I admired how she prioritized her needs not in a way that was selfish, but one that was righteous. When she returned to him, I felt dismayed at first. She had always longed for freedom and escape — things that I also often find myself drifting towards — and dismissing her earlier desires of fleeing temptation felt like a betrayal. But, even though she went back to him, this act, in the context of the book, demonstrates growth more than anything else. Yes, she longed for freedom and escape, things that couldn’t be realized if she married Mr. Rochester as a governess. These aspirations arose from her independence and self-reliance.
I don’t see Jane Eyre as a novel that I will remember for its romance. I think I will remember Jane Eyre for her strength and her mind’s originality.
P.S. I hate St. John. He is the true villain, worse than Mrs. Reed or Mr. Brocklehurst. While I do think his discipline is admirable, I find his narrow-mindedness to be stifling. Life is a balance between desires and duties, and he has all but forsaken the former. His painting of everything he wants as righteous and anything else as sinful is despicable. I was crying out loud for Jane not to join him and for her to see through his manipulation. “‘… do not forget that if you reject [my offer of marriage], it is not me you deny, but God… Refuse to be my wife, and you limit yourself forever to a track of selfish ease and barren obscurity.’”
P.P.S. I don’t think we talk enough about Bertha… I read that Mr. Rochester represented England and Bertha represented all the countries that Britain was trying to conquer; how, much like Mr. Rochester locked Bertha up and probably worsened her symptoms by doing so, Britain was forcing countries to be subservient and causing great harm. I can’t help but feel like Mr. Rochester’s role is overlooked in the story.
When Jane first left Mr. Rochester after finding out about Bertha, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by her strength (and, consequently, ashamed at my lack thereof). I admired how she prioritized her needs not in a way that was selfish, but one that was righteous. When she returned to him, I felt dismayed at first. She had always longed for freedom and escape — things that I also often find myself drifting towards — and dismissing her earlier desires of fleeing temptation felt like a betrayal. But, even though she went back to him, this act, in the context of the book, demonstrates growth more than anything else. Yes, she longed for freedom and escape, things that couldn’t be realized if she married Mr. Rochester as a governess. These aspirations arose from her independence and self-reliance.
I don’t see Jane Eyre as a novel that I will remember for its romance. I think I will remember Jane Eyre for her strength and her mind’s originality.
P.S. I hate St. John. He is the true villain, worse than Mrs. Reed or Mr. Brocklehurst. While I do think his discipline is admirable, I find his narrow-mindedness to be stifling. Life is a balance between desires and duties, and he has all but forsaken the former. His painting of everything he wants as righteous and anything else as sinful is despicable. I was crying out loud for Jane not to join him and for her to see through his manipulation. “‘… do not forget that if you reject [my offer of marriage], it is not me you deny, but God… Refuse to be my wife, and you limit yourself forever to a track of selfish ease and barren obscurity.’”
P.P.S. I don’t think we talk enough about Bertha… I read that Mr. Rochester represented England and Bertha represented all the countries that Britain was trying to conquer; how, much like Mr. Rochester locked Bertha up and probably worsened her symptoms by doing so, Britain was forcing countries to be subservient and causing great harm. I can’t help but feel like Mr. Rochester’s role is overlooked in the story.
annabelle113's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ninkakot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ashlyn_tollison's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
ellapirita's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
korol_rezni's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
dragonslayer1999's review against another edition
3.0
look I know…I know this is an old ass book but. he’s borderline ephebophilic and also a little insane? weird power imbalance & creepy w the wife in the attic stuff.
it’s a good thriller novel bc scary…but to consider it a romance?
it’s a good thriller novel bc scary…but to consider it a romance?