Classic!

'Jane Eyre'
Author: Charlotte Bronte


Format: Paperback
Published: Tribeca Books; Feb. 2011
Originally Published: 1847
Pages: 352
Genre: Classic literature; Gothic romance
Rating: A
Source: Personal Copy


Synopsis: Early responses to Jane Eyre, first published in 1847, were mixed. Some held the book to be anti-Christian, others were disturbed by a heroine so proud, self-willed, and essentially unfeminine. The modern reader may well have trouble understanding what all the fuss was about. On the surface a fairly conventional Gothic romance (poor orphan governess is hired by rich, brooding Byronic hero-type), Jane Eyre hardly seems the stuff from which revolutions are made. But the story is very much about the nature of human freedom and equality, and if Jane was seen as something of a renegade in nineteenth-century England, it is because her story is that of a woman who struggles for self-definition and determination in a society that too often denies her that right. But self-determination does not mean untrammeled freedom for men or women. Rochester, that thorny masculine beast whom Jane eventually falls for, is a man who sets his own laws and manipulates the lives of those around him; before he can enter into a marriage of equals with Jane he must undergo a spiritual transformation. Should the lesson sound dry, it's not. Jane Eyre is full of drama: fires, storms, attempted murder, and a mad wife conveniently stashed away in the attic. This is very sexy stuff - another reason Victorian critics weren't quite sure what to make of it.


My Take: Nope, I've never read this book until now. Can you believe it?! One of my goals for 2011 was to finally read the classic Jane Eyre and I am so glad I did! I get nervous reading classics. I read a bunch in school and for the most part my feelings on them were mixed. Some I really liked and some I really didn't. Often I found the language inaccessible and we had to really analyze every detail in order to understand them. Well, now when I read, I read for pleasure. If Bronte's novel wasn't accessible to me, easy for me to understand and get the gist of, or let's face, overly melodramatic and ridiculous as sometimes classics can be, I may have thrown my hands up in frustration. Alas my concerns were for naught because I thoroughly loved this book and I would highly recommend that everyone read this classic novel if they never have before (or re-read it if they haven't read it since high-school)!


Having enticed my book club to join me in reading it since the movie adaptation was coming out in March as well, we had Jane Eyre as our March book pick, so with that I settled in for a classic read. I'm not going to spend a lot of time on a synopsis here because I am going to guess that I am one of the last ladies on earth to read this book but don't get me wrong, it took me longer than average to get through this book. It was meaty. Our heroine Jane, although strong-willed and smart, had a surprising amount to say! Every time I sat down to read this book it would take a few pages to get back into the language but once I did, it didn't bother me and I totally understood everything that was going on, I just let it wash over me.


Jane, how I loved you. You were strong at a time when many women were not. Your life sucked! People, you think your childhood sucked? Well, Jane's was worse! If you are ever feeling down about yourself, pick this book up because it will make you feel better about your own lot. Poor little Jane did not have an easy start in life but she dealt with her hand and got through it, becoming quite the young little lady.


Then she met Edward Rochester. Oh my goodness, brooding, ugly (as defined by Jane), kinda mean to his ward Adele, hiding crazy wives in the attic, Rochester. And guess what, even with all of this against him? We still kind of love him! Why do we always love the ass? Of course we aren't going to like little, simpering do-gooder St. John! He has no fire, no passion! He just wants someone to accompany him to make his life easier (and thank goodness Jane sees that!). No, Jane wants Rochester and Rochester wants Jane, but there are twists in the plot to keep them apart so will they be together? Oh so much angst and pining in this book will be had!


Then there are the gothic elements throughout. Ghosts, scary nights, wind making noise, gypsies, CRAZY PEOPLE LOCKED IN THE ATTIC! This book seriously has it all! It may be lengthy and take awhile to get through but it has a lot of action in it for an classic!

Like I said, I am so glad I read it and would heartily recommend it to others. Everyone in my book club really enjoyed it as well, some more than others, and all seemed glad they read it. I am really excited for go see the movie now too which is coming out this Friday, March 11! Here's the official movie trailer - it looks good!

Cover Lust: I chose this book specifically for the cover because I liked it! I knew that if I picked a copy with a 'classic' cover it might make me feel like its an 'old book' (yes I know it is!) but if I picked one with a more modern cover it might help trick my mind. It worked people, so just go with it!