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juushikaTitle: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë
Published: Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993 (1847)
Page Count: 496
Total Page Count: 15,438
Text Number: 42
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: One of the classic gothic novels, Jane Eyre is the life story of a orphaned English girl, from her youth to her schooling to her romance with her employer, the tall and dark Mr. Rochester. While working as a governess at Thornfield, Jane Eyre falls in love with her master, Rochester. Although she eventually discovers he returns her love, Rochester's past stands in the way of a happy marriage between the lovers. Jane's discovery of this past lies at the heart of the text. While Jane Eyre is long and feels even longer, the mystery, gothic elements, and rich language that stand at the center of this book are incredible. It is a haunting, memorable example of the gothic genre and, while not light or easy, an engrossing and rewarding read. If you can make it through to the end it is definitely worthwhile.
Ironically, despite the length and the fact that the book reads very slowly, the beginning (her youth and time at school) is my favorite part of the book. This part normally receives a lot of critique because it separates readers from the "good part," that is, the mystery and mad woman in the attic. It does add a lot of length to the book and it's not the most existing part, but I think it's very well written. In the first part of the book, Brontë, who was critiqued for her expression of Christianity in the book, explores religion and faith. The protagonist is an impoverished orphan critiqued by her superiors and taught at a strict, close-fisted religious institution. Her closest friend is a classic, faithful, humble Christian who dies young. The investigation of religion is fascinating, the characters realistic, and the school just cruel enough to get at you and stay in your memory.
First part aside, there's not much I can say other than give a recommendation of the book. The writing style sits somewhere between tedious and delicate, and the book moves slowly, so this isn't one that I'd give as a blanket recommendation. You have to be comittted to reading the entire text and fond of author, genre, style, or all of the above. It isn't your average paperback novel. For those that like classic literature, however, this really is wonderful text. It's not as psychological or haunting as some of the gothic novels, but it is certainly creepy and more than a little disturbing. All of the important characters (Jane, Rochester, Helen Burns) are wonderful in their own, asocial, unusual, independent ways. Some of the protagonists monologues are inspiring, some are very personal and private. The contact subject of goodness and religion forms an interesting theme throughout, and the resolution is far from supporting the church and society as we know it. I like Jane Eyre and, though it took a while, was more than happy to reread it. If you're prepared to work a bit, I'd recommended it to you too.
Author: Charlotte Brontë
Published: Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993 (1847)
Page Count: 496
Total Page Count: 15,438
Text Number: 42
Read For: My own enjoyment
Short review: One of the classic gothic novels, Jane Eyre is the life story of a orphaned English girl, from her youth to her schooling to her romance with her employer, the tall and dark Mr. Rochester. While working as a governess at Thornfield, Jane Eyre falls in love with her master, Rochester. Although she eventually discovers he returns her love, Rochester's past stands in the way of a happy marriage between the lovers. Jane's discovery of this past lies at the heart of the text. While Jane Eyre is long and feels even longer, the mystery, gothic elements, and rich language that stand at the center of this book are incredible. It is a haunting, memorable example of the gothic genre and, while not light or easy, an engrossing and rewarding read. If you can make it through to the end it is definitely worthwhile.
Ironically, despite the length and the fact that the book reads very slowly, the beginning (her youth and time at school) is my favorite part of the book. This part normally receives a lot of critique because it separates readers from the "good part," that is, the mystery and mad woman in the attic. It does add a lot of length to the book and it's not the most existing part, but I think it's very well written. In the first part of the book, Brontë, who was critiqued for her expression of Christianity in the book, explores religion and faith. The protagonist is an impoverished orphan critiqued by her superiors and taught at a strict, close-fisted religious institution. Her closest friend is a classic, faithful, humble Christian who dies young. The investigation of religion is fascinating, the characters realistic, and the school just cruel enough to get at you and stay in your memory.
First part aside, there's not much I can say other than give a recommendation of the book. The writing style sits somewhere between tedious and delicate, and the book moves slowly, so this isn't one that I'd give as a blanket recommendation. You have to be comittted to reading the entire text and fond of author, genre, style, or all of the above. It isn't your average paperback novel. For those that like classic literature, however, this really is wonderful text. It's not as psychological or haunting as some of the gothic novels, but it is certainly creepy and more than a little disturbing. All of the important characters (Jane, Rochester, Helen Burns) are wonderful in their own, asocial, unusual, independent ways. Some of the protagonists monologues are inspiring, some are very personal and private. The contact subject of goodness and religion forms an interesting theme throughout, and the resolution is far from supporting the church and society as we know it. I like Jane Eyre and, though it took a while, was more than happy to reread it. If you're prepared to work a bit, I'd recommended it to you too.
