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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Wow what a journey. Reading a story that was written nearly two hundred years ago is a constant cycle of confusion and connection. I was searching the internet for things like "what did 'quiz' mean in the 1800s?" one paragraph, then feeling such a strong sense of familiarity and sameness the next.
Reading through the lens of its time period you can see how radical and progressive it was, but viewed through a modern lens there are obviously many themes to be found lacking. Being generous, I could say that the picture it paints of how far we've come as a society gives me hope for how far we'll get in another two hundred years. Being critical, I could say wow that's a lot of racism.
Overall a very engaging and gripping read. I really loved the beautiful descriptions of nature and scenery, and I was extremely attached to the main characters by the end. I absolutely see why it's a classic.
Reading through the lens of its time period you can see how radical and progressive it was, but viewed through a modern lens there are obviously many themes to be found lacking. Being generous, I could say that the picture it paints of how far we've come as a society gives me hope for how far we'll get in another two hundred years. Being critical, I could say wow that's a lot of racism.
Overall a very engaging and gripping read. I really loved the beautiful descriptions of nature and scenery, and I was extremely attached to the main characters by the end. I absolutely see why it's a classic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Dementia, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gore, Incest, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
No tengo palabras para describir lo BRUTALMENTE BUENO que es este libro. Literal, lo acabo de terminar y tengo los sentimientos revueltos 😭😭😭💕💕💕💕 Entré sin expectativas y sin saber de qué se trataba, salí con el corazón lleno e impactada de lo atemporal que es esta lectura. No puedo creer que este libro fue publicado a mediados de los años 1800, literal, se siente tan moderno... tan actual.
La forma de escritura es entendible, una fina línea entre el drama, el sentimentalismo, el juicio con toques cómicos que lo mantienen a uno enganchado en todo momento. La forma en que está escrita, rompiendo la barrera entre narrador y lector, le da un toque personal. Es como si estuvieras leyendo una autobiografía y no un libro de ficción.
El personaje de Jane Eyre es increíble✨✨, una mujer sensible pero empoderada e independiente. Charlotte Brontë definitivamente era una autora que estaba super adelantada a la época. Me puedo imaginar que este libro tuvo cierto tipo de escándalo, pues sus ideas del papel de la mujer y de su independencia son supermodernas. EN los pies de Jane, yo nunca me hubiera tomado las decisiones que ella hizo, y eso me hace admirarla a ella como personaje femenino aún más.
El señor Rochester 💕 lo amé en todo momento y se ha convertido en uno de mis tóxicos favoritos. (La verdad es que al final, el personaje no fue tóxico de verdad). Sobre todo, me encantó que, a pesar de todo, el sí amaba a Jane de verdad. La respetaba y la admiraba a ella y no por su belleza, sino por su intelectualidad, lo cual la hacía la más hermosa ante sus ojos. Si bien las decisiones que tomó no fueron acertadas, al final pagó las consecuencias y se redimió.
Me gustó el final demasiado. ✨✨✨✨ Creo que lo mejor de este libro es que no dejó ningún cabo suelto; todos los personajes primarios y secundarios tuvieron su conclusión ideal. ❤️
El libro está superrecomendado, especialmente para aquellas personas que son amantes de la novela histórica, tramas complejas y personajes únicos y entrañables.
La forma de escritura es entendible, una fina línea entre el drama, el sentimentalismo, el juicio con toques cómicos que lo mantienen a uno enganchado en todo momento. La forma en que está escrita, rompiendo la barrera entre narrador y lector, le da un toque personal. Es como si estuvieras leyendo una autobiografía y no un libro de ficción.
El personaje de Jane Eyre es increíble✨✨, una mujer sensible pero empoderada e independiente. Charlotte Brontë definitivamente era una autora que estaba super adelantada a la época. Me puedo imaginar que este libro tuvo cierto tipo de escándalo, pues sus ideas del papel de la mujer y de su independencia son supermodernas. EN los pies de Jane, yo nunca me hubiera tomado las decisiones que ella hizo, y eso me hace admirarla a ella como personaje femenino aún más.
El señor Rochester 💕 lo amé en todo momento y se ha convertido en uno de mis tóxicos favoritos. (La verdad es que al final, el personaje no fue tóxico de verdad). Sobre todo, me encantó que, a pesar de todo, el sí amaba a Jane de verdad. La respetaba y la admiraba a ella y no por su belleza, sino por su intelectualidad, lo cual la hacía la más hermosa ante sus ojos. Si bien las decisiones que tomó no fueron acertadas, al final pagó las consecuencias y se redimió.
Me gustó el final demasiado. ✨✨✨✨ Creo que lo mejor de este libro es que no dejó ningún cabo suelto; todos los personajes primarios y secundarios tuvieron su conclusión ideal. ❤️
El libro está superrecomendado, especialmente para aquellas personas que son amantes de la novela histórica, tramas complejas y personajes únicos y entrañables.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Although there are problematic elements of this book, i find Jane very compelling and Charlotte Bronte's writing excellent. It is a fascinating look at feminisim, females expressing passion and emotion and how that is viwed by society of the time.
The strength of Jane, her need for friendship and love after a childhood of neglect makes you root for her.
The strength of Jane, her need for friendship and love after a childhood of neglect makes you root for her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Gaslighting
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters – 7/10
Okay, so yes—Jane is a fiery little thing and I respect her spine of steel, but can we talk about how utterly humorless she is? It’s all brooding and morals and zero fun. Even her flirtation with Rochester feels like two philosophy students trying to out-suffer each other. Speaking of Rochester—what a gaslighting, manipulative sadboi. "Oh, I can’t legally marry you because of my other wife in the attic, but let’s just run away together anyway. For love!" Sir, that’s not romantic—that’s a felony. And let’s not pretend the side characters don’t blur together into a sea of Victorian types: the angelic martyr (Helen), the evil stepmom (Mrs. Reed), the wet blanket clergyman (St. John), and so on. Distinct, sure, but nuanced? Not really. They exist to orbit Jane’s Great Moral Journey™, not to be people in their own right.
Okay, so yes—Jane is a fiery little thing and I respect her spine of steel, but can we talk about how utterly humorless she is? It’s all brooding and morals and zero fun. Even her flirtation with Rochester feels like two philosophy students trying to out-suffer each other. Speaking of Rochester—what a gaslighting, manipulative sadboi. "Oh, I can’t legally marry you because of my other wife in the attic, but let’s just run away together anyway. For love!" Sir, that’s not romantic—that’s a felony. And let’s not pretend the side characters don’t blur together into a sea of Victorian types: the angelic martyr (Helen), the evil stepmom (Mrs. Reed), the wet blanket clergyman (St. John), and so on. Distinct, sure, but nuanced? Not really. They exist to orbit Jane’s Great Moral Journey™, not to be people in their own right.
Atmosphere/Setting – 8/10
The Gothic aesthetic works overtime to keep this story interesting—honestly, if the vibes weren’t so impeccable, this book would feel like a sermon with candlelight. But sometimes it leans a little too hard into gloom porn. Do we really need the red-room trauma and the typhus plague and the literal burning mansion? Brontë is out here trying to kill Jane with symbolism. Subtlety? Never met her. Still, the settings do carry emotional weight—Thornfield is deliciously eerie, and Lowood is practically Dickensian—but once we hit Moor House, the story loses its teeth. Suddenly we’re in pastoral purgatory being courted by a sexy colonizer? No thanks.
The Gothic aesthetic works overtime to keep this story interesting—honestly, if the vibes weren’t so impeccable, this book would feel like a sermon with candlelight. But sometimes it leans a little too hard into gloom porn. Do we really need the red-room trauma and the typhus plague and the literal burning mansion? Brontë is out here trying to kill Jane with symbolism. Subtlety? Never met her. Still, the settings do carry emotional weight—Thornfield is deliciously eerie, and Lowood is practically Dickensian—but once we hit Moor House, the story loses its teeth. Suddenly we’re in pastoral purgatory being courted by a sexy colonizer? No thanks.
Writing Style – 6/10
I’ll say it: this book could’ve used a ruthless editor. Brontë has a habit of writing like she's being paid by the comma. For every brilliant line, there’s a paragraph that reads like a thesaurus exploded. I found myself skimming Jane’s internal monologues more than I care to admit—not because I didn’t care, but because I got it the first three times, Jane. Also, I refuse to excuse the pacing crimes committed in the final act. Everything grinds to a halt while Jane goes full martyr at Moor House, and we get 200 pages of emotional constipation before she finally does what we all knew she was going to do and goes back to Rochester. Speaking of whom—
I’ll say it: this book could’ve used a ruthless editor. Brontë has a habit of writing like she's being paid by the comma. For every brilliant line, there’s a paragraph that reads like a thesaurus exploded. I found myself skimming Jane’s internal monologues more than I care to admit—not because I didn’t care, but because I got it the first three times, Jane. Also, I refuse to excuse the pacing crimes committed in the final act. Everything grinds to a halt while Jane goes full martyr at Moor House, and we get 200 pages of emotional constipation before she finally does what we all knew she was going to do and goes back to Rochester. Speaking of whom—
Plot – 7/10
This plot had so much potential. Creepy estate, mystery wife, class/gender dynamics, proto-feminist heroine. And yet, it spends too much time moralizing and not enough actually developing its romantic core. The twists are either predictable or ludicrous—Jane just happens to stumble upon her long-lost cousins in the middle of nowhere? And inherits a fortune? Come on. It’s wish-fulfillment dressed in sackcloth and ashes. There’s also the uncomfortable fact that the book sets fire to the literal “madwoman in the attic” trope but doesn’t do a damn thing to interrogate it. Bertha exists to suffer and then conveniently die so Jane and Rochester can be legally and morally in the clear. Romantic, if you ignore the colonialist, ableist baggage.
This plot had so much potential. Creepy estate, mystery wife, class/gender dynamics, proto-feminist heroine. And yet, it spends too much time moralizing and not enough actually developing its romantic core. The twists are either predictable or ludicrous—Jane just happens to stumble upon her long-lost cousins in the middle of nowhere? And inherits a fortune? Come on. It’s wish-fulfillment dressed in sackcloth and ashes. There’s also the uncomfortable fact that the book sets fire to the literal “madwoman in the attic” trope but doesn’t do a damn thing to interrogate it. Bertha exists to suffer and then conveniently die so Jane and Rochester can be legally and morally in the clear. Romantic, if you ignore the colonialist, ableist baggage.
Intrigue – 6/10
It starts strong—childhood trauma, school from hell, mysterious rich man with weird vibes—but the second half starts to drag like a wet cloak. The whole “St. John wants to marry me for missionary clout” subplot is the literary equivalent of hitting a wall and then just lying there for 100 pages. Even the Big Gothic Reveal™—Bertha in the attic—is over too quickly to really satisfy. It’s juicy in theory, but Brontë brushes past it like she’s embarrassed by her own plot twist. Honestly, if I wasn’t so emotionally invested in Jane not getting screwed over, I might’ve given up halfway through.
It starts strong—childhood trauma, school from hell, mysterious rich man with weird vibes—but the second half starts to drag like a wet cloak. The whole “St. John wants to marry me for missionary clout” subplot is the literary equivalent of hitting a wall and then just lying there for 100 pages. Even the Big Gothic Reveal™—Bertha in the attic—is over too quickly to really satisfy. It’s juicy in theory, but Brontë brushes past it like she’s embarrassed by her own plot twist. Honestly, if I wasn’t so emotionally invested in Jane not getting screwed over, I might’ve given up halfway through.
Logic/Relationships – 5/10
Let’s not pretend this is a healthy romance. Rochester lies, manipulates, and emotionally torments Jane for 300 pages, and we’re supposed to forgive him because he got barbequed and blinded in a tragic act of divine punishment? Yikes. Jane returning to him isn’t an act of empowered choice—it’s a reward for his suffering. Meanwhile, St. John’s cold proposal is framed as just another trial for Jane’s resolve, even though it reeks of spiritual manipulation. And don’t even get me started on Bertha—whose treatment is unforgivable. The world-building also creaks under scrutiny. How did Jane suddenly become rich, and why are we just fine with it? Why is everyone either a saint or a villain?
Let’s not pretend this is a healthy romance. Rochester lies, manipulates, and emotionally torments Jane for 300 pages, and we’re supposed to forgive him because he got barbequed and blinded in a tragic act of divine punishment? Yikes. Jane returning to him isn’t an act of empowered choice—it’s a reward for his suffering. Meanwhile, St. John’s cold proposal is framed as just another trial for Jane’s resolve, even though it reeks of spiritual manipulation. And don’t even get me started on Bertha—whose treatment is unforgivable. The world-building also creaks under scrutiny. How did Jane suddenly become rich, and why are we just fine with it? Why is everyone either a saint or a villain?
Enjoyment – 6/10
I wanted to love this. I really did. And I enjoyed parts—the orphan angst, the gloomy mansion, Jane dunking on Rochester with moral superiority. But it’s too long, too self-serious, and too in love with its own moral posturing. I came for the Gothic scandal and stayed out of sheer stubbornness. Would I recommend it? Only with a disclaimer: expect melodrama, misogyny, and a man who really shouldn’t have been a romantic lead.
I wanted to love this. I really did. And I enjoyed parts—the orphan angst, the gloomy mansion, Jane dunking on Rochester with moral superiority. But it’s too long, too self-serious, and too in love with its own moral posturing. I came for the Gothic scandal and stayed out of sheer stubbornness. Would I recommend it? Only with a disclaimer: expect melodrama, misogyny, and a man who really shouldn’t have been a romantic lead.
Final Snarky Verdict:
Jane Eyre is like a really intense friend who always has great stories, but never lets you get a word in and will absolutely guilt-trip you for eating dessert. Iconic, yes. Enjoyable? Sometimes. Exhausting? Also yes.
Jane Eyre is like a really intense friend who always has great stories, but never lets you get a word in and will absolutely guilt-trip you for eating dessert. Iconic, yes. Enjoyable? Sometimes. Exhausting? Also yes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
The portrayal of Bertha Mason, a woman of Creole descent with an unspecified mental illness, is deeply problematic and reflective of colonial and ableist biases in Victorian literature.
The novel explores heavy themes of morality, autonomy, and suffering, which might be emotionally intense for some readers.
While often categorized as a romance, Jane Eyre contains significant power imbalances and manipulative behaviors that modern readers may find unsettling.
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Incest, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a god love story but a beautifully written story. Every man is horrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read it as a teenager for school but didn't like it - thought I'd give it another go as it might be more enjoyable now as an adult. No, I didn't enjoy it this time around either.
Can appreciate the writing is good etc but just didn't enjoy the book and felt it was a struggle to finish.
Can appreciate the writing is good etc but just didn't enjoy the book and felt it was a struggle to finish.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It is my current opinion that Emily Brontë was the best writer amongst her sisters, which is a shame given she has the smallest corpus.
That said, I liked Charlotte's Jane Eyre better than Anne's Agnes Grey. Jane is an endearing character, one who is far more flexible in her morality and ambiguous in her actions (though not too much so, I assume, to make her unsympathetic to contemporary readers, which is kind of a shame to me as a modern reader, but I digress). Mr. Rochester is a fucking piece of work, and I do hate him, but I totally understand why Jane wants to fuck him. I'm weirdly charmed by St. John Rivers as well, but he's also an asshole, and why are all these men trying to manipulate my girl Jane? On a somewhat related note, it's so funny that Jane's ugly appearance comes up CONSTANTLY. And that Jane's Aunt Mrs. Reed has beef with her. Like, she's ten.
I'm fascinated by Bertha Mason and the idea of a dude having a crazy wife he keeps in the attic, so I will be reading Wide Sargasso Sea. I also think Jane's life would've been better if she'd decided to be a lesbian spinster with the Rivers sisters.
That said, I liked Charlotte's Jane Eyre better than Anne's Agnes Grey. Jane is an endearing character, one who is far more flexible in her morality and ambiguous in her actions (though not too much so, I assume, to make her unsympathetic to contemporary readers, which is kind of a shame to me as a modern reader, but I digress). Mr. Rochester is a fucking piece of work, and I do hate him, but I totally understand why Jane wants to fuck him. I'm weirdly charmed by St. John Rivers as well, but he's also an asshole, and why are all these men trying to manipulate my girl Jane? On a somewhat related note, it's so funny that Jane's ugly appearance comes up CONSTANTLY. And that Jane's Aunt Mrs. Reed has beef with her. Like, she's ten.
I'm fascinated by Bertha Mason and the idea of a dude having a crazy wife he keeps in the attic, so I will be reading Wide Sargasso Sea. I also think Jane's life would've been better if she'd decided to be a lesbian spinster with the Rivers sisters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicide, Alcohol, Colonisation
-Ableism abound of both the mental and physical varieties
-Missionary work portrayed as a good thing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Slavery, Suicide, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Alcohol
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Grief