Scan barcode
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Some of the speculations about Jane Eyre could be true , or all, or none, dear reader’
I read this book, which I came a cross purely by chance, over a couple of sleepless nights while awaiting surgery. Now, I mention this simply because my concentration was difficult to retain and the fact that this book could do so and take me into the alternate possibilities being explored is a creit to the authors. There are many bigger fans of Jane Eyre than I am: I hope you enjoy this!
What a world of speculation has been unleashed about Jane Eyre since Charlotte Bronte first published this novel back in 1847. How much of Jane is actually, Charlotte herself? How much is commentary on the life she lived and times she lived in? How closely should we read the text as autobiographical and as an accurate depiction of at least certain aspects of 19th century life?
The life of the Brontes, the times in which they lived, the choices available to the siblings - each are fascinating topics in their own right. In this book, though, focussed on Jane Eyre you may largely choose to ignore the serious for the fanciful. Or simply enjoy both. Or perhaps, if you are so minded, propose some variations of your own.
Here, dear reader, you needs must make your own choices based on your own views and perceptions. For myself, this was a delightful collection of thoughts, views and imaginative possibilities that I thoroughly enjoyed over a couple of evenings.
So, if you still wonder about Jane Eyre, and you can find a copy of this book with its contributions from a diverse set of authors (Juliet Barker; Jean Bedford; Carmel Bird; Morage Fraser; Elizabeth Gaskell; Beverley Raphael; Jean Rhys; Rosie Scott and Amy Witting) edited by Susan Geason - I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I read this book, which I came a cross purely by chance, over a couple of sleepless nights while awaiting surgery. Now, I mention this simply because my concentration was difficult to retain and the fact that this book could do so and take me into the alternate possibilities being explored is a creit to the authors. There are many bigger fans of Jane Eyre than I am: I hope you enjoy this!
What a world of speculation has been unleashed about Jane Eyre since Charlotte Bronte first published this novel back in 1847. How much of Jane is actually, Charlotte herself? How much is commentary on the life she lived and times she lived in? How closely should we read the text as autobiographical and as an accurate depiction of at least certain aspects of 19th century life?
The life of the Brontes, the times in which they lived, the choices available to the siblings - each are fascinating topics in their own right. In this book, though, focussed on Jane Eyre you may largely choose to ignore the serious for the fanciful. Or simply enjoy both. Or perhaps, if you are so minded, propose some variations of your own.
Here, dear reader, you needs must make your own choices based on your own views and perceptions. For myself, this was a delightful collection of thoughts, views and imaginative possibilities that I thoroughly enjoyed over a couple of evenings.
So, if you still wonder about Jane Eyre, and you can find a copy of this book with its contributions from a diverse set of authors (Juliet Barker; Jean Bedford; Carmel Bird; Morage Fraser; Elizabeth Gaskell; Beverley Raphael; Jean Rhys; Rosie Scott and Amy Witting) edited by Susan Geason - I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
I've never actually read Jane Eyre. It's been sitting, unopened, on my bookshelf (in various locations - home, boarding school, gap year, share house & now apartment) for years. It was a childhood gift, a birthday or Christmas I can't remember. I have just never been driven to pick it up.
So why read a book about reading Jane Eyre? Motivation maybe? Encouragement? Who knows!
I picked this up on a library throw out table. It was a couple of dollars and it makes my bookshelf a little more well-rounded. It sticks out amongst all the chick-lit.
But I actually enjoyed it! I've always known the basic story of Jane Eyre and these insights and reactions were quite illuminating. Some are better than others. "Crown me with Roses Pastiche' by Jean Bedford has stuck with me (it's the storyline of Jane Eyre brought forward and possibly even odder). The initial essays were fascinating to read. I enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell's as well as she knew Bronte - I feel a need to read her biography of Bronte now.
So if I can enjoy this book having never read Jane Eyre, I imagine someone who has would enjoy it even more.
So why read a book about reading Jane Eyre? Motivation maybe? Encouragement? Who knows!
I picked this up on a library throw out table. It was a couple of dollars and it makes my bookshelf a little more well-rounded. It sticks out amongst all the chick-lit.
But I actually enjoyed it! I've always known the basic story of Jane Eyre and these insights and reactions were quite illuminating. Some are better than others. "Crown me with Roses Pastiche' by Jean Bedford has stuck with me (it's the storyline of Jane Eyre brought forward and possibly even odder). The initial essays were fascinating to read. I enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell's as well as she knew Bronte - I feel a need to read her biography of Bronte now.
So if I can enjoy this book having never read Jane Eyre, I imagine someone who has would enjoy it even more.
More...