A review by graypeape
Manga Classics: Jane Eyre by Crystal S. Chan, Charlotte Brontë

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I enjoyed this adaption of Jane Eyre quite a bit! The artwork was lovely, and the text stays true to the source material (there are a few minor changes, explained in the author's and illustrator's notes at the back, and the changes made sense). The adaption itself absolutely deserves the 5 star rating I'm giving it.
As far as the story goes, well, Jane Eyre is my favorite of the classics, and I can't convince myself to knock off any points for the aspects of the book which always annoyed me. I appreciate how feminist the book was for its time, but the classism is still very present. I know that at the time, the classism was normal, common, and accepted, but it still niggles at my brain. My 20th/21st century sensibilities can't help creeping in! And the romantic aspect? Mr. Rochester is no prize, let me tell you, though I am always happy for Jane because she thinks he is.  The Gothicness of the story though - the delicious tension in the story, the "is something supernatural going on here?" aspects, the drama!!! The original Jane Eyre has always been a fun read for me, a grab-the-popcorn kind of read that holds up under rereads, or beautifully illustrated manga adaptions!