Jane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëAR Reading Level: 7.9
On the library stacks: YA/Adult fiction
Recommended for: Ages 16+
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Since I don't think there's really anything I can add to the multiple thoughts, reviews, criticisms, essays and books written about this author and her classic work of literature, here are some random thoughts:
- Why didn't anyone force me to sit down and read this earlier?
- I had no idea this book was so readable. I was bracing myself for stuffy Victorian language and meanderings. But this book is straightforward and, even at times, a downright page turner.
- There were whole sections that I had to go back and re-read numerous times because the language was so beautiful.
- I loved how Bronte dealt with themes of self-respect, integrity, morality, pity, and forgiveness. Sometimes her ideas are complex and I think may require more life experience to appreciate fully. For that reason I would recommend this book for an older teenager.
- I liked how the romance element did not come to fruition in one fell swoop on the second to last page like I think happens too often with Jane Austen. Then again, this was written decades later so maybe social conventions of the time has something to do with it. This book certainly contains much more passion than anything in Jane Austen's writing.
- This is one of the few books I know I will read again. I adored it.
Source: Gift
7 comments:
I have this one on my list to read this year. Thanks for adding your thoughts!
I loved reading Jane Eyre. So good. After reading your review, it made me want to go and read it again since it has been a long time.
I know there is a new movie out, but I really enjoyed the last version that was made for tv miniseries on BBC. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780362/
I've never read this book, but hope to remedy that before the year is out.
I loved Jane Eyre too! I'm so glad you found it. There's nothing better than reading a book like this and realizing you have a friend for the rest of your life that you'll often return to.
I read this in college and really enjoyed it...a lot more than I expected to. :)
This has been a love of mine for years and years - since high school. There is something about Mr. Rochester, so swoon-worthy and dear Jane, loyal and strong but with this oh-so-familiar fragileness when it comes to her dear Mr. Rochester. I adore it.
Yeah, I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to pick up Jane Eyre, but when I did last year I LOVED it! GLad you had a great reading experience too!!
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