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bouncingduck's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
beckeal's review against another edition
5.0
I mean, I feel like I was the last adult on the planet who hadn’t read Jane Eyre or been forced to read Jane Eyre. I frickin’ loved it. And I was surprised, because gothic is not my thing. But everything—the settings, the plot, the characters, the mystery, the ending—was so perfect and so flawed and so perfectly flawed that I couldn’t not love it.
jenmangler's review against another edition
5.0
Jane is an old, dear friend I return to every few years. Visiting her at different stages of my life helps me discover new things about myself. I first read this book in high school (not for class, but for my own pleasure). It was the first book I really talked about with someone in depth - my lovely Mom, who'd loved the book when she was a teenager, too. That will always make Jane Eyre one of the most special books in my reading life. Talking about it made me feel like such a grown up. It helped me realize that a book isn't just words on a page, that a book is an experience that you can share with others.
Rereading (March 2014): I don't even know how many times I've read this, but it still has the ability to pull me in and not let me go. Jane is one of my favorite characters in all of literature and I never tire of spending time with her.
Rereading (March 2014): I don't even know how many times I've read this, but it still has the ability to pull me in and not let me go. Jane is one of my favorite characters in all of literature and I never tire of spending time with her.
sydneymauer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pure entertainment
stefhite's review against another edition
4.0
Haven't read this one since high school ... interesting how perspective changes with age. While I would have said it was "amazing" when younger - now I think Rochester was a bit of a selfish prig and Jane too trusting. What saves the book is Jane's becoming her own independent woman and making her own choices in the end. For that I can say this is still one of my favorite classics.
booksoversecondbreakfast's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Confinement, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Ableism
Minor: Religious bigotry, Incest, Racism, and Colonisation
lindnkel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.0
coffeedog14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
So, here is another famous and classic work of fiction written by an earlier 19th century female author, breaking convention and helping to define what womanhood was and could be. And unlike some of the others I've read, I didn't like this one too much.
Why is that? Well, firstly, I gotta acknowledge the racism. From the racist overtones of major plot beats, to off-hand racist mentions and minor beats, it's just all over the place. It feels very much "of her time" in that regard, but that's not really an excuse when I've read other books from this period that don't have this kind of content in it. It's just gross and doesn't feel necessary.
The other major factor for me, I think, was the main love interest. God I fucking hate that guy, I wish he would just shut up and stop negging or whining. He can be clever, when he's not being such an asshole! I don't know what Jane sees in him long-term, really.
On the plus side, however, is Jane herself. She is a fascinating character, filled with contradictions. Subservient yet also at times almost violently rebellious; intelligent and careful yet prone to acts of sudden emotion; filled with Christian virtue and yet also a true believer in romantic values. Jane is forced to confront all of these, and more besides, as she decides her place in the world. It is also fascinating to watch her make those choices. Other people try to sway her, belittle her, force her into this or that lane, but Jane never lets others make these choices for her. In this, I can see why she is so deeply inspiring for so many. By the end of this book, I am genuinely happy she has found her happiness, even if I think she could have done *much* better in her choice of partner. I certainly couldn't convince her otherwise, and that's kind of the point!
Why is that? Well, firstly, I gotta acknowledge the racism. From the racist overtones of major plot beats, to off-hand racist mentions and minor beats, it's just all over the place. It feels very much "of her time" in that regard, but that's not really an excuse when I've read other books from this period that don't have this kind of content in it. It's just gross and doesn't feel necessary.
The other major factor for me, I think, was the main love interest. God I fucking hate that guy, I wish he would just shut up and stop negging or whining. He can be clever, when he's not being such an asshole! I don't know what Jane sees in him long-term, really.
On the plus side, however, is Jane herself. She is a fascinating character, filled with contradictions. Subservient yet also at times almost violently rebellious; intelligent and careful yet prone to acts of sudden emotion; filled with Christian virtue and yet also a true believer in romantic values. Jane is forced to confront all of these, and more besides, as she decides her place in the world. It is also fascinating to watch her make those choices. Other people try to sway her, belittle her, force her into this or that lane, but Jane never lets others make these choices for her. In this, I can see why she is so deeply inspiring for so many. By the end of this book, I am genuinely happy she has found her happiness, even if I think she could have done *much* better in her choice of partner. I certainly couldn't convince her otherwise, and that's kind of the point!
kremmy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
dani_15's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75