Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

August 23rd, 2008

Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
576 p.

Penguin Classics, 2006.
(First published 1847 by Smith Elder & Co.)

Back cover blurb:

Orphaned Jane Eyre grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, where she endures loneliness and cruelty, and at a charity school with a harsh regime. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane’s natural independence and spirit - which will prove necessary when she takes a position as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions, even if it meeans leaving the man she loves? A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre (1847) dazzled and shocked readers with its passionate depiction of a woman’s search for equality and freedom.

In her introduction, Stevie Davies discusses the novel’s language and politics, its treatment of women’s lives and its literary influences. This edition also includes a chronology, further reading, and appendix and notes.

Okay, so I’ll admit it: I have never before read Jane Eyre.The Eyre Affair (which is very inspired by Jane Eyre) is one of my favourite novels, and until now, I hadn’t. Now I did, and… it’s a good book. Jane is maybe a little annoying at times, being so pure in thought and mind and deed, but Rochester was a sweetheart and he made me swoon more than a little at times. And it’s so well-written! It’s all charm and graces! The book made me feel so at ease, it was a joy to read. (okay, so, I read until they got engaged, then a person said the book was really boring after that, so I was a little hesitant and put off reading, but then I kept on, and it was good fun.)

There’s only one thing I can’t really get my head around. There’s all this buzz about Rochester being a racist keeping his black wife up in the attic, but when the wife’s brother comes to visit, there’s no mention of him being black. And I don’t understand it! But nevermind. I rarely understand these things.

Entry Filed under: Classics, English, Fiction