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A review by allyexa
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
3.0
I remember reading this book late high school/ early college years and enjoying it. But rereading it all these years later, I’m like …….WHAT?!?
Ok I remembered the basic plot points, and knew that of course the writing style and societal norms are of a different era. But I forgot how icky Rochester was. 20 year age gap, weird employer power dynamic, sure, but he plays all these weird mind games with Jane during their “courtship”, not only gaslighting her about the whole wife in the attic thing, but flirting with other women to gauge her reaction, and at one point DRESSING UP AS AN OLD GYPSY WOMAN TO GET YOUNG LADIES ALONE WITH HIM IN A DARK ROOM. Also, fun things like darkening his face with soot to play charades. And constantly loving that Jane is so innocent and small.
Jane is a good character, fierce and principled. But she still has a “not like the other girls” vibe going. Also, her morals are really really Christian. And occasionally classist.
All this being said, I believe this book is often held up as an example of terrific plot structure, and I have to agree that I was never bored, and the reveals were well-timed. Could have done with a bit less of the moral soliloquies.
8/7/25
Ok I remembered the basic plot points, and knew that of course the writing style and societal norms are of a different era. But I forgot how icky Rochester was. 20 year age gap, weird employer power dynamic, sure, but he plays all these weird mind games with Jane during their “courtship”, not only gaslighting her about the whole wife in the attic thing, but flirting with other women to gauge her reaction, and at one point DRESSING UP AS AN OLD GYPSY WOMAN TO GET YOUNG LADIES ALONE WITH HIM IN A DARK ROOM. Also, fun things like darkening his face with soot to play charades. And constantly loving that Jane is so innocent and small.
Jane is a good character, fierce and principled. But she still has a “not like the other girls” vibe going. Also, her morals are really really Christian. And occasionally classist.
All this being said, I believe this book is often held up as an example of terrific plot structure, and I have to agree that I was never bored, and the reveals were well-timed. Could have done with a bit less of the moral soliloquies.
8/7/25