Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - Jane Eyre

Even though I was an English major, I somehow never read "Jane Eyre" until now. What a mistake! This is one of the best books I've ever read. Just delightful. Beautiful writing throughout. It's a bit long, but worth it. I did not love the ending, I thought it was a strange ending for such a gorgeously wrought story. But really, it was not important. I listened to the Audible version voiced by Thandie Newton - that woman is a gift to the listening world! She is an absolutely brilliant reader, and I'd listen to anything and everything she's done. Her outstanding vocalizations, accents, voices and intonations brought this story, first published nearly 200 years ago, to life in all the best ways. Bravo, Ms. Newton! And thank you!

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rachaelina's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious 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

3.5

This book is very well written and fun to read. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to be very dangerous if you're not reading with your guard up.

For example, she does a fantastic job actually leaving after finding out Rochester is already married. She has her eyes open enough to see where their relationship would be headed if she decided to stay and be his mistress and she runs. She builds a new life. She finds a family. And then she goes running back because she thinks she hears him calling her name. A lot of ladies want to say this is fine because his wife is now dead and he has been humbled, but she doesn't know any of that. She thinks she's walking back into the same situation she left. Instead, it conveniently turns out she now gets to play savior to the guy who lied and manipulated her. It's the same "I cAn ChAnGe HiM" garbage that plagues stories aimed at and cherished by women even though they know these stories never end well in real life.
Side rant, it rather drives me crazy that people turn it into a she must marry Rochester OR St. John situation when she easily could have just...not married either. Given that her cousins both successfully met and married other men, I think it's safe to assume they probably had friends they could introduce her to? They weren't the only men in England?

Anyways, it is very well written and enjoyable, but I'd only recommend it if I knew the reader would read it thoughtfully.

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1ngrid's review against another edition

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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? Yes

4.0

Was bored for the most part, as I get with classics. I struggle to follow along with the language. I was captivated by the middle of the book, as i probably grew used to the language.
I wonder how I rooted for the love between this teenager and grown man. Charlotte is an amazing writer to make it happen, I suppose.
My teacher spoiled the book for me, as she spoke about Bertha, but it made me want to read and find out about the drama.

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realizedcreation's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging 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? Yes

2.5

Would have been higher but for the anti-semitism and racism

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verytwilly's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

A rich and often enthralling narrative that charms with its nineteenth century language and sensibilities. Though relatively long, it was infrequent that I felt even a tinge of boredom as I read. Certain parts or elements may not always appeal entirely to a sensitive modern reader, particularly the arguably dehumanizing portrayal of mental illness; or the antiquated views of class (which I find to be quaint in their silliness, and which in several cases seem to be critiqued by the author). Overall, any issues taken with plot, portrayal, or pacing aren’t to be too much considered when confronted with the overwhelming literary artistry that is to be enjoyed with this work.

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