Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre is indubitably one of my favourite books! I first read it about a couple of years ago and thought it’s one of the finest books ever written. This is the second time I’m reading this amazing book by Charlotte Bronte.
The name Jane Eyre may sound simple and modest but somehow, I think it’s a lovely name. After reading the book, I admired the name even more! Jane Eyre is surely one cool character.
Jane is an orphan as her parents died when she was only a baby. She was then left to the care of her mother’s brother, Mr. Reed. But he died, too and made his wife promise him that she would look after Jane Eyre. Unfortunately, Mrs. Reed utterly dislikes Jane and therefore, Jane’s life at Gateshead was a living hell. Her cousins relentlessly bullied her and Mrs. Reed was anything but sympathetic. Only Bessie, the nurse, was kind to Jane.
When Jane was 10 years old, she was sent to an orphanage, Lowood Orphan Asylum. She was so glad to finally get away from her pitiless aunt and cousins. Jane then spent 8 years at Lowood, 6 years as a pupil and 2 years as a teacher. When she arrived there, she made friends with a sickly girl, Helen Burns. They got along well but their friendship could not last long because Helen died some time after.
After living at Lowood for so many years, Jane wished to get a new job somewhere else. She advertised in the newspaper and finally became a governess for Mr. Rochester’s ward, Adele. Soon, Jane finds herself falling in love with Mr. Rochester but assumed that he only had eyes for the more beautiful Miss Ingram.
So, what do you think will happen in the end? Do you think Jane has a chance with her employer? And what’s with that ever-mysterious servant, Grace Poole, who Jane thought laughs mirthlessly, wanders around, and sets her master’s bed on fire in the middle of the night? There is certainly a good bunch of surprises in this well-loved story. If you’re willing to spend some time to sit down and really read this book, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!
Other Bloggers’ Reviews: Arukiyomi, Amanda
Buy Jane Eyre (Vintage Classics)
May 7th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Wow.. u really read this book? I heard it is a very boring book. How many books you read a week anyway? Or is this over the years? =)
May 8th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Wow… I’m actually just over halfway through this. Unfortunately, through TV, I know the story though I’m trying to pretend I don’t. Personally, I find her writing tedious. Comparisons with her contemporaries (or thereabouts) really tell. Dickens and Austen blow her out of the water. She isn’t half as brilliant. The story has some interesting twists and turns so I guess that’s what made it a bestseller and classic… not the writing.
Look out for my review hopefully within the next couple of weeks.
May 9th, 2007 at 12:31 am
-Princess Shin-: Haha! No, no, it’s not a boring book! Try reading it for yourself and who knows??? You might enjoy it, too!
How many books? Um, it depends on how free I am. I read more when I have more free time on my hands but if I’m too busy, then the books will have to wait.
Arukiyomi: Hmm, I think I prefer Bronte to Austen mainly because, I find Jane Eyre not as dragging as Pride and Prejudice! Classics tend to be long-winded and it takes very long for them to get to the point. Well, that’s my opinion, though!
Sure, I’ll look out for your review, too! Happy reading!
May 14th, 2007 at 1:10 am
This is my favorite book. Glad you liked it.
May 17th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Hi Chris, haha! I guess it’s a great favourite among classic lovers. But, really, this book is downright likeable! I can’t help loving it.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:32 am
Hello…I found your site via various links on book blogs; great place you have here! I love Jane Eyre too
June 4th, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hi Bibliolatrist, interesting name! Thanks and I’m glad you like Jane Eyre too. =)
October 28th, 2007 at 2:08 am
This is the best book ever written. I wish i could be as good as Jane!
Anyway I find the book wonderful, even when I had to read it in a language that is not my native one…
Just perfect!!!
October 29th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Hi Pucca, thanks for dropping by!
Yup, this Jane Eyre book is definitely in a class of its own. Oh, you read and liked the book not in your native language? That’s even more wonderful!
November 9th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
would you say there is a connection between jane eyre and twilight by stephenie meyer? i’m doing a research paper comparing the two and i want to get other people’s opinoins, please email me if you have any.
November 10th, 2007 at 4:17 am
Sarah: Um…connection? I guess there are some. I think you’ll need to read both books thoroughly, twice if possible, so that you can identify what needs to be identified.
November 26th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
i am reading Jane Eyre as an advanced reading option in 8th grade. I chose Jane Eyre as my classic since i loved the kid’s, short version which i read in probably first grade. It was my most loved book when i was young.
bad news-
the REAL jane eyre is awfully boring. True, it has some good moments, but come on- it is so boring. paragraph after pragraph, it makes me want to sleep. Only when i look back on the last 5 chapters do i find that the last 60 pages, all added together, are somewhat intersting. But oh boy, until you actually get to over five chapters, you hate the book.
this book might be good alltogether, but it is awfully boring.
November 30th, 2007 at 4:27 am
Hi Lilly, nice, you’re reading Jane Eyre for school. I wish my school did it!
Haha! Yeah, I found it quite boring when I read it for the second time. However, when I read it for the first time, I enjoyed every word. Maybe when I first read it, I was gripped with anticipation, wanting to know what’s next.
Well, would you wanna try reading it a second time and see what happens? ;D
September 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I love your review. I felt so sorry for poor Jane growing up but she was just a strong person that she really made her own fortune. I really admire her character.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Amanda: Hey there, thanks for coming by too! Jane’s certainly a role model – strong-willed, independent, caring, she’s just a great character.