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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
that last star started fading when it seemed jane was marrying her cousin but then it came back
I decided to re-read this in its entirety after many years and was glad that I did because it was so nostalgic, fluid in its narrative and description of the eponymous character, Jane’s marked nuanced personality, her experiences and Bronte’s other characters were quite visceral. I could definitely see parts of myself in Jane. Here is a classic example of human decency, the still relevant challenges of navigating the world as a woman and a great expression of how Jane thrived through adversity. Would’ve given it 5 stars if not for the sometimes unnecessarily long sentences and frequent overused use of adjectives, but that’s just the harsh old English literature student in me, hah! Bronte did paint a good picture, though. I enjoyed reading it very much to the point where I’ll probably read it again in the future!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation
I finally read a Brontë! Well listened to one (the Thandie Newton narration was great). The first two thirds or so, up until the bigamy call out in the church, was really engaging, but the last section really loses momentum after the brief stint on the streets. All the tension in Jane’s relationship with Rochester dissolves - come the reunion I could not care less. The only bright point in this section is when St John Rivers demonstrates that the male loneliness epidemic is nothing new… uttering “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦.” during a marriage proposal has never, ever, made the ladies swoon.
Overall it’s an eminently readable classic, no impenetrable prose (although I did find it jarring every time someone ejaculated), that’s characters and themes are complex enough for it to hold up as a great discussion book today. A commentary on boarding schools, the value (or not) of name without money, female independence, the conflating of looks with goodness, loneliness and the desire to be seen. Held up to today’s standards there’s a lot of obliviousness/lack of agency, deus ex machina etc, but also modern sounding humour. The central relationship could be examined for eternity, with both negative and generous readings of Rochester, regardless of a Victorian or 21st century lens. I say generous not positive, because even his biggest fans have to agree that the man is an absolute mess.
Another classic I'd never read before and am glad I didn't approach until later in life. Beautiful performance as usual by Stevenson.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
El libro se me hizo un poco denso en algunas partes, pero amé bastante a Jane Eyre, su resiliencia y su inteligencia, que pudo salir adelante a pesar de todo lo ocurrido. La verdad es que yo no fui muy fan de Rochester, habría preferido que la boda no se concretara entre ambos, pero puedo entenderlo y me hace feliz saber que Jane Eyre terminó siendo feliz.