Reader, behold my tormented visage and answer me this one query that I pose to you in the sluggish lethargy of the descending, menacing twilight of my soul. This question, surely, reveals more of my own modest, Quaker-like beginnings, my unalluring features, and beseeches you, as my interlocutor, to satisfy my curiosity: why?

Intellectually, I can fathom why this book was significant when it was penned and how its crucial position in the history of the novel has molded modern literature and so forth. But good LORD, it's like perusing 507 pages of needlework. Precious little occurs except that one begins to realize that editing must be a rather nascent profession. Perhaps, if one truly loathed one's English students, one could select one of the sentences that is approximately the same length as the Gettysburg Address and make them diagram it? Truly, one would encounter these enormous paragraphs that would commence with, "There was..." and then, if diagramming, one would have a terrifyingly kudzu-covered six-story scaffold of indirect objects and modifiers trailing behind it.

What is it about Jane Eyre that appears to be an educated female rite of passage? I was somewhat anticipating this book as it's an example of a strong woman who knows herself, but no. She's essentially being batted back and forth between a couple of overly verbose dweebs, both of whom have frightfully controlling tendencies, and her only hope of independence is receiving a windfall through the mother of all deus ex machina.

Ladies: Jane is hindering you.

Protip: if a man twice your age who freely acknowledges his penchant for continental floozies, gruffly dismisses his own possible child except to underpay staff to deal with her, is intense and flies into rages, makes you clean up after and remain silent about assaults in your home, and then fails to mention until you're at the altar that oh, he's married and the psycho who tried to kill you in your bed is actually his WIFE, you leave and stay away.

Seriously, if I desired to read about a teenager who spent half her time griping about her appearance and then dithering about whether to choose the dark, brooding, intense hottie or the fair, marble-faced Greek god, I would read Twilight.

**Title: The Importance of Recycling**

Recycling is a crucial practice that has a significant impact on our environment and society.

By recycling, we can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, conserve natural resources, and save energy.

For example, recycling paper can save trees, which are essential for maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Similarly, recycling plastic can reduce the need for new plastic production, which requires a large amount of fossil fuels.

In addition to environmental benefits, recycling can also create jobs and boost the economy.

Many recycling companies employ a significant number of people, and the recycling industry as a whole generates billions of dollars in revenue each year.

Despite the many benefits of recycling, however, many people still do not recycle regularly.

This may be due to a lack of awareness about the importance of recycling, or because they find it inconvenient.

To address these issues, it is essential to educate the public about the benefits of recycling and to make recycling more accessible and convenient.

This can be achieved through public awareness campaigns, the installation of recycling bins in public places, and the implementation of recycling programs in schools and workplaces.

By taking these steps, we can encourage more people to recycle and help to create a more sustainable future for all.

This was a reread for me, and I’d completely forgotten just how much I loved it!

As I delved back into the story, it was like rediscovering a long-lost treasure. The characters came to life once again, their voices and personalities echoing in my mind. The plot, which I thought I remembered, held new surprises and twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself getting lost in the world that the author had created, imagining myself as a part of the story. The vivid descriptions painted a picture so clear that I could almost see it with my own eyes. It was as if I was transported to another time and place, experiencing everything along with the characters.

With each page turn, I became more and more engrossed in the story. I couldn’t put the book down, eager to find out what would happen next. By the time I reached the end, I was left with a sense of satisfaction and a longing to read it all over again. This reread had truly reminded me of why I fell in love with this book in the first place.

Classics are truly remarkable. As Italo Calvino said, "Classics are books which, the more we think we know them through hearsay, the more original, unexpected, and innovative we find them when we actually read them." I have just had this experience with "Jane Eyre."

Classics are books which, the more we think we know them through hearsay, the more original, unexpected, and innovative we find them when we actually read them. - Italo Calvino, Why Read the Classics?

This is my first encounter with Jane Eyre, and it feels like a momentous occasion. I didn't hesitate to say 'hello' to her. In fact, the timing couldn't have been better. My mind and heart are in sync, and I'm walking the path of rationality with few missteps. I don't want these words to come across as overconfidence. Instead, it's an admission of those precious moments in life when the fog of confusion lifts, and we gain clarity, mostly about ourselves and sometimes about others. In this state of bliss, I met Jane.

We immediately connected. I empathized with her as a child, encouraged her as an adolescent, and admired her as she teetered on the brink of womanhood. Everything was going smoothly until Mr. Rochester entered the picture. Then, my heart skipped a beat. I wanted a perfect love story with a happy ending. But something different was happening here, and it was all because of Jane. I had my doubts and preconceptions, but the book held many surprises.

\\n   “You are going, Jane?”
“I am going, sir.”
“You are leaving me?”
“Yes.”\\n

One of the most significant aspects of this novel is the constant movement of the protagonist. Jane's life changes not because of others but because of her own choices. She moves from place to place, finding herself in different situations that bring both welcome and unwelcome changes. This gives meaning to her life. As a child, she had no choice, but as she grows older, she understands the importance of being an individual. She could have taken an easy path, but that would have meant becoming someone else.

What about love in all this? Especially when love seems to be all we have. But as Jane said, "I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself." We need to care for ourselves to know ourselves, and only then can we step into love without sacrificing our identity. And love always finds a way when it's meant to be. For me, I have found a lifelong companion in Jane. I wonder what she would think of me. Have I been a Jane in my life? Do I feel guilty for not being more like her on certain occasions? These are questions that I will continue to ask myself, and I know that my dear Jane will always be there to guide me. Because, dear readers, Jane is forever.

How I Decided to Read Jane Eyre:

I made up my mind that I wanted to explore the books from Time’s Top 100 Novels list. I thought it would be an interesting approach to start from the bottom of the alphabetized list. This led me to Wide Sargasso Sea. However, I soon discovered that this book was related to Jane Eyre, which I had never read before.

I knew there was a copy of Jane Eyre sitting on my bookshelf. Additionally, there was an audiobook available on my library app. And as they say, the rest is history. But, man oh man oh man, am I truly glad that I accidentally ended up here!

I don't think I would have read Jane Eyre otherwise. Thanks to all these random events and the fate bestowed upon me by the universe, I have finished this wonderful book and absolutely loved it! I found myself completely engrossed in Jane’s journey from one manor to another, from one family to another, and her transformation from rags to a sort of riches. The writing is simply fantastic! It has that distinct 19th-century style yet is still extremely readable. They really don't write books like this anymore.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this, and I'm so glad I took a chance on something outside of my usual comfort zone. Now I can move on to reading that Saragasso Sea book, along with Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice! My wife is over the moon because she thinks she can take advantage of this moment and get me to watch Downton Abbey! I'm not sure if I'm quite ready to go that far yet! Boy, I'm really using up my daily quota of exclamation points here!

It's a memorable story with unforgettable characters. The writing is timeless. This book definitely deserves lots of stars and exclamation points. You've probably already read it and cherish it. I may be late to the party, but let's raise a glass and toast to Charlotte Brontë for this beautiful work of fiction!

“I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had the courage to go forth into its expanse, to seek real knowledge of life amidst its perils.” This powerful quote from Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" sets the tone for the entire novel. I am truly impressed by how masterfully Bronte is able to establish both mood and tension in this work. Right from the opening paragraph, she hooks the reader. "There was no possibility of taking a walk that day. We had been wandering, indeed, in the leafless shrubbery an hour in the morning; but since dinner (Mrs. Reed, when there was no company, dined early) the cold winter wind had brought with it clouds so sombre, and a rain so penetrating, that further out-door exercise was now out of the question." The description of the poor orphan Jane and her confined situation is painted vividly, perfectly evoking her mood and condition.

While I like some of the twists in the second half of the book, such as the revelation of the madwoman in the attic, I have always found the first half of "Jane Eyre" more engaging. The focus of the second half on Jane and Rochester's courtship leaves me a bit confused. I don't quite understand Rochester's appeal. He is cold, arrogant, and often feels sorry for himself. Although he has a passion for Jane, I wonder if she is more of an escape from his troubled life with the madwoman in the attic rather than someone he truly cares about. Until the end, when Rochester undergoes a transformation, I remain uncertain about his love for Jane.

Compared to St. John, Rochester seems like a better prospect. St. John is manipulative, self-serving, and does everything in his power to bend Jane to his will. I find it curious that Jane nearly marries him. I do like Jane as a character, but I sometimes wonder how she can view St. John sympathetically. And speaking of sympathy, I am intrigued by the fact that, despite having sympathy for nearly everyone in the story, Jane shows remarkably little (or perhaps no) sympathy for Bertha, the inmate of Thornfield. Beyond the knowledge that Rochester is married to her, Jane seems to have little interest in Bertha and Rochester's life together or how Bertha came to be the way she is.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how clear and accessible Bronte's writing still is. Even though I wasn't completely swept up by Jane and Rochester's courtship, I truly appreciated Bronte's writing style and enjoyed the overall read. Her ability to create complex characters and a captivating story is truly remarkable.

I understand that this book is considered feminist for its era. However, I believe that while it opened one door, it simultaneously closed several others. Firstly, if this were a children's book about a young orphan triumphing over guardians who abuse and look down on her, it would have been quite enjoyable (and thankfully, half the length). Instead, it was long-winded and made me sympathize with racist and abusive characters. So, although I liked that Jane stood up for herself and was likely a role model for many women, she embodies such classic white feminist ideals that it was hard for me to see this book's message as having any modern value. For instance, both Jane and Mr. Rochester regard the book's only mixed-race character of color as a beast, a lunatic, and other words with negative connotations. Also, Mr. Rochester's solution for her insanity is to lock her up in his attic for years. The entire middle of the book that dealt with this conflict handled both of those topics so insensitively.

Then, there was the issue that all the men in this book, despite Jane's supposed strength, were such crybabies when hearing the word no. Usually, this manifested in the form of rejected marriage proposals that sent the men into tantrums. One of the most iconic situations involving this is Mr. Rochester threatening violence on Jane for resisting his advances, then blaming the anger on her for causing him to be so impassioned. The entire logic of this being a feminist work was completely backward for the entire romantic side plot because Jane constantly endured his threats, and even by the end of the book when they are equals as she desired throughout, she still calls him "master."

Maybe a deeper reading of the text could have softened my perception of this book and justified the questionable parts. But reading it for leisure with no background studies was concerning. When I wasn't slogging through long passages and reading the book out loud to my cats just to combat boredom, I was wondering why people hold Jane and Mr. Rochester in such high esteem as great characters despite their clearly problematic remarks. Maybe I read it too literally and maybe I'm not giving it enough credit for being groundbreaking for its time, but this really wasn't for me. (Unless, as I said, the first half of it was published separately as a standalone. But the romance was definitely not my thing.)

“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte is a literary masterpiece that is filled with numerous wonderful dialogues. The author has a deep affection for this book as it is truly remarkable. In my mind, the dialogues are not only wonderful but also alive and intense. They bring the characters to life and make the story extremely engaging.

For all the readers who have a passion for reading love stories and a fascination with historical styles, this book is highly recommended. It offers a unique blend of romance and historical backdrop that is sure to captivate your attention. The complex relationships between the characters and the challenges they face add depth and authenticity to the story.

Whether you are a fan of classic literature or simply looking for a good read, “Jane Eyre” is a book that should not be missed. It has stood the test of time and continues to be beloved by readers around the world. So, pick up a copy and immerse yourself in the world of Jane Eyre.

Whew! I managed to finish this one up this morning, and I'm rather relieved that I finally got through it. However, I must admit that I can't claim to have enjoyed it, nor would I recommend it to others, and I have no intention of ever reading it again. Not in this lifetime, anyway.

For starters, I really didn't take a liking to Jane. When she was a child, I did feel a certain amount of sympathy for her. But as she grew older, my opinion of her steadily declined. Her religious convictions and the decisions she made based on them made Bertha seem almost sane by comparison. And speaking of that, why on earth did she wander off in the middle of the night with no money? What did she expect to happen? Was she waiting for manna to rain down from heaven? I find it hard to believe that an educated and sensible woman would run off into the night without taking enough provisions to ensure her survival. Even an idiot would have more sense than that.

By the end of the story, I was almost hoping that she had wandered off after St John and contracted some disease. The fact that she didn't fully realize what an awful freak St John was really sealed the deal for me. Even at the very end of the book, she kept going on about all the great works he was doing for God. Seriously? He was a complete ass, and I would have demanded that he give me my five thousand pounds back! At least Bronte had the good sense to kill him off at the end. Well, maybe he wasn't quite dead yet, but he was definitely on his way to meet his maker. Ugh.

I also thought it was more than a little bit suspicious that she ended up on the doorstep of the only family she had in the entire world. Just how likely is that? Not very, in my opinion.

Then there's Mr. Rochester himself. He was nothing to write home about, that's for sure. Let's start with the obvious, shall we? He was cold, condescending, and secretive. Oh, and he was ugly to boot. Can anything else be said about him to make him more appealing? I know! How about the fact that he kept a drooling, homicidal wife hidden away in the attic? Personally, I think Bronte had covered all the bases at this point. Did he really not see anything wrong with letting Jane marry him while he had that crazy bat of a wife locked upstairs? If he had just been upfront with her from the start, I might have had a slightly better opinion of him. But nah, probably not. I never could figure out what she saw in him. My best guess was that it was a combination of low self-esteem and a troubled childhood.

The 'gothic mystery' part of the plot ended in the middle of the book, and shortly after that, anything remotely interesting came to an end as well. You can say what you want about Looney Bertha, but at least she added some excitement to the story. And wasn't it just great that Bertha burned the house to the ground and then leaped to her death? Nice exit, big girl! I have to say, she was by far my favorite character. Let's not forget that she also managed to mutilate Rochester's good looks even further before she bowed out. Now Jane's man looks like a one-eyed, one-armed, flying purple people eater. Of course, she doesn't seem to mind, because now she feels she can be of use to him.

Jane, I can tell we will never see eye-to-eye on things, so I'll just let it go. Our friendship was never meant to be. For some, you will always be the stoic heroine who finally gets her Happily Ever After. But for me, you're just a ninny with terrible taste in men. As Adele would say, Adieu. Reader, this review is now over.

If there is such a thing as the perfect book, for me, 'Jane Eyre' would define it.

5 ✨ brooding, uncompromising, passionate, but tormenting stars, for my favourite book of all time. I love this book for the way it depicts the strength of the human spirit, the importance of being yourself, the rights of women, and the explicit yet beautiful way the story is told. Dramatic, uninhibited, and evocative.

Jane Eyre is best known or described as a 'gothic love story', but for me it is so much more. It is an emotional life story that contrasts the extremities of love and hate, where the principled and incorruptible mind battles the unscrupulous and most brutal of beasts and rules. Jane Eyre is an unapologetic feminist story, like no other. It is an emotional story where one woman's soul was forever tormented by the people she tried to love and cursed by those who did not deserve to own nor judge her. However, the standout is the rawness in which the author expresses Jane's feelings of love, hurt, and anguish, and the many themes it embraces particularly for its time.

A burning question is 'why do I love this book so much?' The storyline? The love story? The many themes it embraces? Or is it Jane Eyre, the character I love the most? All will be revealed, but first the plot.

The story begins with Jane, orphaned after the death of her parents and further isolated when her uncle dies leaving her in the hands of his heartless family. After an unpleasant and bloody exchange with her cousin, and then aunt, Jane is sent to Lowood, a charitable but educational institution.

It is at this point in the book that we get an early insight into the character of the 10-year-old Jane, her principles and unwavering determination to speak up for what is right and just, when she admonishes her aunt.

Jane's early battle with life's cruel reality was to continue with the death of a beautiful and kind pupil Helen, but her resolve saw her through 8 years at Lowood. At this point and now educated, she applies to Thornfield Hall for the position of governess. The home that is to become hers after falling in love with its master, Edward Rochester. Yet lady fate was to have her day again when Jane discovers in the most humiliating wedding scene that Rochester's wife still lives, but insane.

After one of the most touching exchanges between these two very different lovers, the characters of Jane and Rochester are laid bare; their passions, principles, and virtues are exposed for us to savour and appraise. He, a brooding and selfish man, asks Jane to live on as his mistress, while Jane's honour prevents her from embracing such an immoral life, which would be contrary to her principles. She wants more for herself, not driven by ambition but by virtue and the right to think and love freely.

Fleeing Thornfield Hall, Jane finds solace in the sequestered Moor home, with St John and his sisters. St John, a devoutly religious man, also seeks Jane's affections and help as a missionary, but not love. Once again we hear the painful and agonising words from Jane, that can only but leave an imprint on the mind and the heart of the reader.

And yes, she does. Jane Eyre is one of the most fascinating characters in fictional history, and if you don't love the book, you will at least love this character.

This is my sixth time reading Jane Eyre (although twice at school), and every time I read it, I get something different from the story. However, this is the first time reviewing and the first time I have challenged myself to explaining why this story means so much to me, apart from it being the first classic book I ever fell in love with, which will always have its rightful place in my book history. No film adaption has done it justice, and no words that I write can capture the beauty that lies within these pages. Of course, I can write words, so inspiring is this book, but cannot express how I truly feel with this book the way Charlotte Bronte can write with such rawness. I also need to restrict myself to covering the key themes and elements otherwise I would be writing a book about a book. So first up is the character development.

'Jane Eyre' sets the bar in character development and is one of the best I have ever read for this. There is nothing left to the imagination, and the explicit way emotions and feelings are portrayed is remarkable, sentimental but also appropriate. The character traits of the two key male characters, Rochester and St John, are evocative and ignite frustration and even slight anger in the reader. One man would turn his back on the laws of God and society for the love of the young Jane, whilst the other, obsessive and devout, has expectations of self-sacrifice for God, his own vanity and ambition.

Whilst different, both men possess the same unwavering sense of entitlement, and lack humility and understanding when they offer Jane a life contrary to her beliefs, honour, and feelings. Religion and Class are constant themes through the novel. However, when Jane meets St John, religion is central and crucial to the story, and once again it is Jane's response that was to ignite a wave of emotions in me.

Feminism is one of the most important themes through the novel where the eponymous Jane tells her own story. If you consider the period in which this book was written; the content and storyline, the uninhibited expressions of love and anger as well as the uncensored view of feminism, then you can begin to appreciate just how incredibly provocative this book might have been for the times. On many occasions, Jane describes herself as someone's 'equal', not to be caged in a social class nor defined by society's expectation of the role of women. It is this freedom of expression, independence of mind, and moral commitment that consumed me so much in this story.

For its times, imagine how the male readers felt when reading this next quote. Fabulous....

At this point I reveal that the reason I love this book so much is because of Jane Eyre's character. It is the most extraordinary story about an ordinary young woman, although a heroine in my eyes. A woman guided by honour, influenced and dedicated but not cosseted by religion. An independent woman who is highly principled and determined yet loving and generous, and passionate but not vindicative. A young woman who wants to live, love, and think freely, and in that lies the beauty of this book. How groundbreaking, daring, and courageous from the incredibly gifted Charlotte Bronte.

Second to that is the uninhibited depiction of the characters, their emotions, and the inner battles they must conquer in the face of temptation. All of this of course is brought to life with Bronte's perfectly chosen words, vivid descriptions, and unbridled but elegant prose. There is such a rawness to the writing, although some would say overly dramatic, but for me it is another beautiful and remarkable aspect to this book, because it works.

Jane Eyre is a book that is bold for the way it inspires feminism, courageous in the way it challenges the accepted norms of society and religion but is also respectful. There is beauty in the storytelling, sincerity in these righteous but flawed characters, and artistry in the way the themes have been woven into the story – an epic masterpiece in literature.

And my GR friends, I too have found (in books) what I truly love, and it is this timeless classic that is likely to remain as my #1 book of all time, for all time. In the dawn of a new year in books, what better way to have started my new reading year than with Jane Eyre, the principled, loving feminist, and her story.

_____________________________

I just finished 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys, a prequel or retelling of sorts that I would highly recommend for readers and lovers of Jane Eyre. It is an accompaniment to Jane Eyre and provides some context to the events leading up to and the marriage of Bertha to Rochester, which Jane Eyre does not explore in any depth. Haunting, vividly depicted, and a lens on Bertha that is somewhat different to the image created by Rochester. Fabulous.

This statement, "As wonderful as ever on each reread," holds a certain charm and truth.

When we come across a truly remarkable piece of literature or any written work, it has the power to captivate us time and time again.

Each reread is like embarking on a new journey, yet familiar at the same time. We notice details that we might have missed before, and the story unfolds in a different light.

The words seem to have a magic that never fades, and the emotions they evoke remain as strong as ever.

It's as if the work has a life of its own, constantly revealing new aspects and depths with each encounter.

Whether it's a classic novel, a beautiful poem, or an inspiring essay, the ability to be as wonderful as ever on each reread is a testament to its quality and enduring appeal.

It makes us appreciate the power of words and the art of storytelling, and it leaves us eager to return to those beloved pages again and again.

Ahhhh I GOT SUCKED IN.

Me: I never read romance, it's my least favourite genre, it's so cringe-worthy.

Also me: These two are destined to be together, their love is so pure, it's so romantic *starry eyes*

At first, I wasn't sure how it was going to go, especially with the school beginnings. I was bracing myself for a long and tiresome boarding school experience. However, to my relief, it was mercifully short and actually rather fun. And she didn't get bullied like I had initially thought, which made it even more entertaining! Then she moved into Thornfield, and of course, we all knew that romance would follow. But I didn't expect there to be this mystery as well. I was so excited, thinking to myself, 'ooooh I got a sneaky ghost story with my dull romance plot! Score!'

So, for the most part, it proceeded as expected, with the entertaining fun of the mystery. And then, when things inevitably took a turn for the worse, I had absolutely no idea what was going on. But kudos to Ms Bronte because it gave me a solid appreciation for how everything wrapped up and completely converted me.

I mean, I think historical romances are probably a little easier for me to appreciate because there's decorum, tact, and class, as opposed to insta-love and hot steamy explicit scenes. I like the feeling, and the relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester strikes me as being a truly authentic representation of modern love and relationships. It's not about the other person being perfect - just being perfect for you. SO ROMANTIC.

So yes, here I am revealing my mushy interior because this stupid love story got to me.

Well played, Bronte.

This was book 20 of my #Dymocks52Challenge refined. You can read more here.