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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
Being inside the mind of a brave and smart person who is wholly convinced of their lack of self-worth makes for a pretty brutal account of being a 19th century woman.
Spoiler Alert.
Thank God that Jane didn't marry her cousin. That would have straight-up pissed me off.
Thank God that Jane didn't marry her cousin. That would have straight-up pissed me off.
dark
mysterious
sad
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
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
<This entire review contains spoilers>
The first ten chapters of this novel were, in my opinion, the strongest. Brontë’s commentary on socially accepted forms of child abuse, religious hypocrisy, and women’s supposed roles in society were well thought out and packed a punch in these chapters.
However, that’s unfortunately where the pros of this book end for me. The ‘romance’ between Jane and Edward was rushed and I did not feel any chemistry between them. Bertha was a shoddy plot device that wasn’t even realized to the full potential or given any actual depth. Saint Rivers… horrific.
The only characters I enjoyed throughout this novel were Jane and the women who she was friends or companionable with.
While I can see how it could have been great for its time, I think the actual plot is lacking, the characters are inconsistent (outside of Jane), and the romance hindered the previous themes that could have been better explored without it.
The first ten chapters of this novel were, in my opinion, the strongest. Brontë’s commentary on socially accepted forms of child abuse, religious hypocrisy, and women’s supposed roles in society were well thought out and packed a punch in these chapters.
However, that’s unfortunately where the pros of this book end for me. The ‘romance’ between Jane and Edward was rushed and I did not feel any chemistry between them. Bertha was a shoddy plot device that wasn’t even realized to the full potential or given any actual depth. Saint Rivers… horrific.
The only characters I enjoyed throughout this novel were Jane and the women who she was friends or companionable with.
While I can see how it could have been great for its time, I think the actual plot is lacking, the characters are inconsistent (outside of Jane), and the romance hindered the previous themes that could have been better explored without it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow going. entertaining. kinda whack.
To be honest I was actually dreading reading this book. I’ve seen the movie several times and thought that I wouldn’t be able to tolerate the romance or ending. As I’ve grown older my mind was conjuring a dated patriarchal story that was essentially about the emotional manipulation of a younger woman. How wrong I was!
Oh, this book was beautiful! Besides the delicious descriptions and settings, it paints a shockingly independent picture of a young unmarried woman for the time period. She knows her heart, knows her mind, and knows with what manner her soul can live and thrive. She did not let romance sweep away her sensibilities. I adored her!
This book also strongly displays a Christian worldview, and I found the balance between true and honest faith versus overly zealous uncharitable practitioners to be well thought out. I appreciated the biblical messages all around and the depiction of struggling with one’s faith. It wasn’t overly preachy in my opinion, but I imagine if you aren’t very religious this book may read as such.
This book is a classic for a reason. The romance has all the longing and realism that today’s romances often lack. I swooned more over a simple hand being held than I have in years! It brought all the emotions, didn’t rush anything, and portrayed such a beautiful character study with a satisfying ending. I could go on, but long story short I loved everything about it. I’m obsessed, and declare that this is my favorite book ever.
Oh, this book was beautiful! Besides the delicious descriptions and settings, it paints a shockingly independent picture of a young unmarried woman for the time period. She knows her heart, knows her mind, and knows with what manner her soul can live and thrive. She did not let romance sweep away her sensibilities. I adored her!
This book also strongly displays a Christian worldview, and I found the balance between true and honest faith versus overly zealous uncharitable practitioners to be well thought out. I appreciated the biblical messages all around and the depiction of struggling with one’s faith. It wasn’t overly preachy in my opinion, but I imagine if you aren’t very religious this book may read as such.
This book is a classic for a reason. The romance has all the longing and realism that today’s romances often lack. I swooned more over a simple hand being held than I have in years! It brought all the emotions, didn’t rush anything, and portrayed such a beautiful character study with a satisfying ending. I could go on, but long story short I loved everything about it. I’m obsessed, and declare that this is my favorite book ever.
I was told I would love this book. But, I think this is what me not like so book so much...
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I liked this a lot but it’s more starry-eyed than Villette. I’m a cynic, so I obviously prefer Villette. There are a lot of preachy Christian themes which I didn’t like so much.