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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
Jane Eyre... WOW.
I seriously thought there would never be a classic book from her era that I wouldnt slog through and need a dictionary for every few sentences.
I really hated having to put this book down to function in normal society for a few hours. I went into this crazy semi-depressive slump at the end. That was how much I loved this book.
I think that this is a much better book to read than "Pride and Prejudice" as an introduction to Victorian literature. I think that more people, particularly girls, would be more inclined to read Victorian literature by beginning to read from a simple novel such as Jane Eyre. The writing isnt as convoluted as Austen, nor the subject matter quite so dry and/or melodramatic. Don't get me wrong, I adore Austen, but she flies over my head at times no matter how much I try to understand.
I think Mr Rochester and Jane's relationship is kind of Humbert Humbert-ish, even though she isnt a preteen. I guess the world we live in doesn't accept such huge age gaps as easily as they did back then, but even then some characters expressed surprise at their match.
Not many classics make me squeal with delight at various moments, so Charlotte, I tip my imaginary hat to you!
Best Quote Ever: (highlighed in my book! I NEVER DO THIS! except once in Breakfast at Tiffany's)
"Most true is that 'beauty is in the eye of the gazer'. My master's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth- all energy, decision, will- were not beautiful, according to rule, but they were more than beautiful to me: they were full of ann interest, an influence that quite mastered me- that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. I had not intended to love him; the reader knows i had wrought hard to exirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed veiw of him, they spontaneously revived, green and strong! he made me love him without looking at me.
I seriously thought there would never be a classic book from her era that I wouldnt slog through and need a dictionary for every few sentences.
I really hated having to put this book down to function in normal society for a few hours. I went into this crazy semi-depressive slump at the end. That was how much I loved this book.
I think that this is a much better book to read than "Pride and Prejudice" as an introduction to Victorian literature. I think that more people, particularly girls, would be more inclined to read Victorian literature by beginning to read from a simple novel such as Jane Eyre. The writing isnt as convoluted as Austen, nor the subject matter quite so dry and/or melodramatic. Don't get me wrong, I adore Austen, but she flies over my head at times no matter how much I try to understand.
I think Mr Rochester and Jane's relationship is kind of Humbert Humbert-ish, even though she isnt a preteen. I guess the world we live in doesn't accept such huge age gaps as easily as they did back then, but even then some characters expressed surprise at their match.
Not many classics make me squeal with delight at various moments, so Charlotte, I tip my imaginary hat to you!
Best Quote Ever: (highlighed in my book! I NEVER DO THIS! except once in Breakfast at Tiffany's)
"Most true is that 'beauty is in the eye of the gazer'. My master's colourless, olive face, square, massive brow, broad and jetty eyebrows, deep eyes, strong features, firm, grim mouth- all energy, decision, will- were not beautiful, according to rule, but they were more than beautiful to me: they were full of ann interest, an influence that quite mastered me- that took my feelings from my own power and fettered them in his. I had not intended to love him; the reader knows i had wrought hard to exirpate from my soul the germs of love there detected; and now, at the first renewed veiw of him, they spontaneously revived, green and strong! he made me love him without looking at me.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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:
N/A
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Definitely a Classic
It is an obviously well written and thought out story. I found some issue with the romance’s third act conflict. I quite liked the plot development that happened after though and found it revitalized the plot and rounded out the story a lot more. It’s not my favorite love story but I found myself highlighting a few key pieces of the romance, finding that they were articulating a feeling I hadn’t yet been able to put into words. I’m definitely happy to have now read Jane Eyere.
It is an obviously well written and thought out story. I found some issue with the romance’s third act conflict. I quite liked the plot development that happened after though and found it revitalized the plot and rounded out the story a lot more. It’s not my favorite love story but I found myself highlighting a few key pieces of the romance, finding that they were articulating a feeling I hadn’t yet been able to put into words. I’m definitely happy to have now read Jane Eyere.
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my mum's favourite book and I wanted to be concerned, but then again - my favourite is Wuthering Heights
I first read this when I was 11 yrs old, feel in love with it, and have read it several times since. This is a timeless classic that is a wonderful reading experience. Through every re-read I get more out of it and just thoroughly enjoy becoming immersed in the story.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I spent the entire year reading Jane Eyre, not only due to its length and slow pace but mostly due to the chaos that has filled my life for about half the year. The rest of my slowness with finishing can be chalked up to laziness.
However, when I would get into stages with the book, I found myself quite gripped and intrigued. I love to imagine the world of 19th Ventura England, described in vivid emotional detail from someone using the protagonist as an avatar for their personal thoughts and experiences and learned ways of operating.
I perused the contemporary reviews at the end of my edition, and something that rang true was that one reviewer noted a theme of a great intellect working through the inherent problem of being born into a low station in life.
The book is very social, and I found myself surprisingly (and sadly) relating to a lot of it as a Mexican American in 2025.
At times the book was a little hard to follow, I think he structure and often-divergent plot confused me until I read a majority of the book, and it clicked to me that though it has large romance elements (and upon finishing I do agree it could be appropriately called a romance novel) it is titled after the main character - it’s a character study following her for her entire life up to 30, when her happily ever after is implied to be an ever evolving state of loving existence with her partner.
The romance between Jane and Mr. Rochester also reminded me of my wife and I, with myself as Rochester even though I find I relate to Jane very much as a character. She is Jane in the context of our relationship, an ever patient, intelligent, gentle being with great values at the core of her decision making in spite of a world set against her - and I, Mr. Rochester, a complicated man who can barely keep himself in decent health without her.
This book was a challenge, it’s one of the first somewhat difficult and old classics I’ve ever chosen to read, and I think it intimidated me at times. Finishing essentially the second half of it in the last two weeks or so has been a lot of fun, and I feel re-energized to pick back up my reading habit, which saw a large hiatus sandwiched between the covers of this book. Finishing this book makes me feel more prepared to read other difficult material.
As someone intrigued by social dynamics, history, politics, and use of language - such a vivid and passionate English book has delivered on a myriad of interests for me. I really think upon finishing it, I love this book. I find it oddly cozy as well. I imagine I’ll read it again some day.
However, when I would get into stages with the book, I found myself quite gripped and intrigued. I love to imagine the world of 19th Ventura England, described in vivid emotional detail from someone using the protagonist as an avatar for their personal thoughts and experiences and learned ways of operating.
I perused the contemporary reviews at the end of my edition, and something that rang true was that one reviewer noted a theme of a great intellect working through the inherent problem of being born into a low station in life.
The book is very social, and I found myself surprisingly (and sadly) relating to a lot of it as a Mexican American in 2025.
At times the book was a little hard to follow, I think he structure and often-divergent plot confused me until I read a majority of the book, and it clicked to me that though it has large romance elements (and upon finishing I do agree it could be appropriately called a romance novel) it is titled after the main character - it’s a character study following her for her entire life up to 30, when her happily ever after is implied to be an ever evolving state of loving existence with her partner.
The romance between Jane and Mr. Rochester also reminded me of my wife and I, with myself as Rochester even though I find I relate to Jane very much as a character. She is Jane in the context of our relationship, an ever patient, intelligent, gentle being with great values at the core of her decision making in spite of a world set against her - and I, Mr. Rochester, a complicated man who can barely keep himself in decent health without her.
This book was a challenge, it’s one of the first somewhat difficult and old classics I’ve ever chosen to read, and I think it intimidated me at times. Finishing essentially the second half of it in the last two weeks or so has been a lot of fun, and I feel re-energized to pick back up my reading habit, which saw a large hiatus sandwiched between the covers of this book. Finishing this book makes me feel more prepared to read other difficult material.
As someone intrigued by social dynamics, history, politics, and use of language - such a vivid and passionate English book has delivered on a myriad of interests for me. I really think upon finishing it, I love this book. I find it oddly cozy as well. I imagine I’ll read it again some day.