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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Classism
Very well-written characters, and the writing style is worthy of the appreciation.
I can not stop thinking about st.john
I can not stop thinking about st.john
Me encanta estos libros románticos diferentes donde cuesta más lograr un final feliz.
If I could do 2.5 stars, I would, but I'm rounding down.
The writing style was pretty good, andade me understand why it was a classic. Some of the ways feelings or situations were described, especially compared to nature, was really beautiful and poignant and relatable even today. I also appreciated the way a lot of biblical comparisons were made in that same way. It was cool to see biblical knowledge on the reader's part be sort of assumed when the narrator drew parallels. That said, I think this bit was done in a way that would be comfortable for my atheist friends to read as well.
This was in no way a Christian fiction read, nor was Christianity (or the version put forth in this book) scoffed at in an intentionally-secular/atheistic way. I will say most of the "Christianity" represented seemed hollow to me even when the book characters praised it. But more on that later. Some of the religious characters (especially the clergy and, in my opinion, one cousin) were really horrible, pious men with sticks up their butts and bad attitudes supposedly held in the name of God. A few other background but lovable characters are people of faith. The main character seemed to consider herself a Christian, but I'm not sure at what point that faith developed necessarily. Most of it wasn't present in her internal monologue, really. I think Christians can enjoy this book (with anger at some of the "godly" actions from the "Christian" characters), but I'd still say it's secular fiction.
The main reason for the low rating is that I didn't care for the story or like the characters. I feel the characters were heralded or complained about more than the book actually showed anything to be happy or unhappy about within them. You know how I said the Christianity in the book often seemed hollow even when it was praised by the book's characters? I feel the same about the characters themselves. I cannot tell you how many times someone in the book would go on a rant about how wonderful Jane Eyre was, and I'd be left wondering why they even thought so. It's not that I think she was a bad person! She's just rather "blah." Most of the characters felt that way to me.
The main romance wasn't appealing to me. Rochester is twice her age, is described like a grumpy old man with questionable morals, and Jane's reason for loving him seems to be that he's not abusive (a low bar), but also he isn't kind enough that she as an abuse survivor feels uncomfortable or suspicious. I didn't like him. I barely liked her. It didn't help when it was discovered he'd basically locked his mentally ill wife(!!!) in the attic so he could pretend she didn't exist and tried to marry Jane instead without even telling her. I never cheered more in the whole book than when she broke up with him. Them getting back together was fine, I guess, but I wasn't exactly happy about it.
I'm glad I finished it, because it's a classic, and I love to discuss popular books or classics. But I really, really didn't like it. I didn't really like Jane. I disliked Rochester. I certainly didn't like them together. I am glad Jane found happiness in the end, because how many awful things can happen to one person, really? But I was definitely left wanting more. Writing style is beautiful, but if you don't tell a compelling story about compelling people with the words, who cares how lovely they are?
The writing style was pretty good, andade me understand why it was a classic. Some of the ways feelings or situations were described, especially compared to nature, was really beautiful and poignant and relatable even today. I also appreciated the way a lot of biblical comparisons were made in that same way. It was cool to see biblical knowledge on the reader's part be sort of assumed when the narrator drew parallels. That said, I think this bit was done in a way that would be comfortable for my atheist friends to read as well.
This was in no way a Christian fiction read, nor was Christianity (or the version put forth in this book) scoffed at in an intentionally-secular/atheistic way. I will say most of the "Christianity" represented seemed hollow to me even when the book characters praised it. But more on that later. Some of the religious characters (especially the clergy and, in my opinion, one cousin) were really horrible, pious men with sticks up their butts and bad attitudes supposedly held in the name of God. A few other background but lovable characters are people of faith. The main character seemed to consider herself a Christian, but I'm not sure at what point that faith developed necessarily. Most of it wasn't present in her internal monologue, really. I think Christians can enjoy this book (with anger at some of the "godly" actions from the "Christian" characters), but I'd still say it's secular fiction.
The main reason for the low rating is that I didn't care for the story or like the characters. I feel the characters were heralded or complained about more than the book actually showed anything to be happy or unhappy about within them. You know how I said the Christianity in the book often seemed hollow even when it was praised by the book's characters? I feel the same about the characters themselves. I cannot tell you how many times someone in the book would go on a rant about how wonderful Jane Eyre was, and I'd be left wondering why they even thought so. It's not that I think she was a bad person! She's just rather "blah." Most of the characters felt that way to me.
The main romance wasn't appealing to me. Rochester is twice her age, is described like a grumpy old man with questionable morals, and Jane's reason for loving him seems to be that he's not abusive (a low bar), but also he isn't kind enough that she as an abuse survivor feels uncomfortable or suspicious. I didn't like him. I barely liked her. It didn't help when it was discovered he'd basically locked his mentally ill wife(!!!) in the attic so he could pretend she didn't exist and tried to marry Jane instead without even telling her. I never cheered more in the whole book than when she broke up with him. Them getting back together was fine, I guess, but I wasn't exactly happy about it.
I'm glad I finished it, because it's a classic, and I love to discuss popular books or classics. But I really, really didn't like it. I didn't really like Jane. I disliked Rochester. I certainly didn't like them together. I am glad Jane found happiness in the end, because how many awful things can happen to one person, really? But I was definitely left wanting more. Writing style is beautiful, but if you don't tell a compelling story about compelling people with the words, who cares how lovely they are?
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Very long and of course the writing is different which takes a little more deciphering the meaning. However, Jane Eyre is an inspiring woman and the way she loves is something special. A wonderful classic.
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. I’ve always assumed it was very dark and depressing but wanted to give it a try. Parts of this book are heartbreaking but Jane is such a strong character and I really enjoyed her story. The writing is so descriptive and engaging. Great book!
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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:
No