Gothic romance holds a deep allure that is hard to resist.

One aspect of its charm lies in the sense of intractable eroticism that seems to be squirming just beneath the surface, ready to break free.

The tension within this genre is often generated by the attraction between a virginal girl and a dangerous man.

The more pitiful and helpless the heroine, the better, yet she must also possess qualities such as pride, virtue, bravery, and idealism.

Her attraction to the ominous hero should be based on pity rather than fear, and he must be worthy of her idealism.

In my opinion, Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" is among the greatest of gothic novels.

It is a page-turner with such startling power that it leaves its pale latter-day imitators, like "Twilight," gasping for air like a stranded fish.

To be sure, the dark hero of the story, Edward Rochester, is not a vampire, but that's just a technicality.

"Jane Eyre" tells the story of how a poor, unloved, and unattractive orphan uses her awesome personality to win over a wealthy sort-of-aristocrat and live happily ever after.

However, this novel is far from your typical Harlequin romance.

By "awesome personality," I mean that she is blunt and somewhat annoyingly obsessed with duty.

It's also important to note that the sort-of-aristocrat is mean, ugly, and comes with more baggage than a first-class international flight would allow.

And the happily ever after? That comes in the last few pages of a very long and very messed-up courtship that involves psychopathic mind games and imprisoned people in the attic.

But don't be afraid! It's still a pretty compelling read for a book that was published in 1847.

Whether you know the plot or not, its secret is a red herring with no real significance.

It functions only to provide Rochester with an honorable reason to propose a dishonorable thing and thus preserve the moral standards of the time.

I think the novel is actually about the forbidden sexual attraction on both sides, and its interest lies in the tension between Jane and Rochester as they desire sex but deny themselves.

Much of the power comes from the repressed emotions, and perhaps Charlotte Bronte was writing in code about the feelings that nice women of her time were not supposed to feel.

This just triggers my thirst for voyeurism, and I would like to think it does the same for everyone else!

Add in the madness, disability, missionaries, and a tasty sprinkle of the gothic, and I was hooked!

In fact, I got kind of obsessed with all the gory details after a while.

Of course, apart from all this, the book also offers something else: a tale about "The Man" getting you down.

Over and over, Jane is put into situations where she's too young, too poor, or too powerless to win, but she has to try anyway.

And we all know about that.

We've all been the kid who was picked on by some random adult, like Mrs. Reed or Mr. Brocklehurst, or our fourth-grade math teacher, just because that person has a stick up their you-know-what.

We've all had to accept that everyone would believe the adults just because they are adults, so they get away with it.

Maybe some of us have also been the young employee who gets pressured to do something immoral or just to work late again by our boss.

Or the girlfriend who finds out that her boyfriend's taking someone else out on Friday night.

That "someone else" might not be an insane vampiric arsonist, but hey, parallels only go so far.

Even if you've never spent time as a governess in a moldering mansion, you've likely felt puny and insignificant at some point in your life.

And there is nothing more relatable than watching the underdog get kicked around... and nothing more satisfying than watching her triumph.

Overall, I consider "Jane Eyre" one of my favorite books of all time.

It can be painfully long, but it is a beautiful story written in a time when language was truly a work of art.

I first read this book when I was around 9 years old. I had a great affection for books like What Katy Did at School and the Malory Towers Series. I'm not certain if I loved these books because every little girl might or because I had a complex relationship with the idea of going away to school.

My mother didn't love me and wanted me to attend boarding school. There was a highly regarded one in the nearest city, about 13 miles away from our village. However, my father坚决反对. He commuted to the city for work every day and would ask my mother how I would feel if I was left at school while he came home. They had a huge argument that I overheard. Eventually, my mother proposed a compromise that I could come home on weekends, but my father still wouldn't agree.

Then I was supposed to go to Cheltenham Ladies' College, but after a brief interview, they refused to admit the third member of my family. My two cousins, one on my father's side and one on my mother's side, and coincidentally, we all had variations of the same first name, had both been expelled. Probably due to issues with boys, although I forget now. We were all "early developers" in that regard and not exactly well-behaved.

I didn't want to leave my father, who loved me, but I also wanted to escape from my mother and, to some extent, my younger brother, who was the golden child and got everything he wanted without having to do any chores. The housekeeper made sure to rub this in my face. She did everything for my brother, including making his bed, washing his underwear, hanging up his clothes, and shining his shoes, just like she did for my parents, but not for me.

My father had a similar experience with boarding school. He was expelled from several schools and would often run away. He had a rather unusual upbringing. He also lived in a village and had boy cousins in another village and many more in the city. Whenever they got into trouble, they would go and stay with an aunt instead of going home. He told me that no one really cared who showed up at the dinner table, and they always had excuses ready.

On his third school, he wrote the classic note that is often seen in novels. He wrote to his mother, "Don't try to find me, I have gone and joined the army." His mother managed to track him down and persuaded the school to take him back. He hated school and wanted to be a farmer. He went to Agricultural College instead of university, but after his father's death, he had to join the family company.

So, in the story of Jane Eyre going to boarding school, I could see myself as the outcast, the one who wasn't accepted, the plain girl that my mother was always emphasizing. I felt like Jane and identified with her. Although I later became a hair model in my teens and appeared in films, I never felt more than average-looking until my 40s.

I reread the book when I was around 13 and understood it much better. I've probably read it and its "prequel," Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea, half a dozen times. Jean Rhys was from Dominica, an island that I know well. When I first visited, her family home in Roseau had become a guest house, and that's where I stayed.

This may not be a comprehensive review of an excellent book, but it explains why I loved it so much.

I have a strong desire to fight Mr. Rochester. He is a complex and mysterious figure, and there is something about him that makes me want to prove myself against him. Maybe it's his confidence, or perhaps it's the way he carries himself. Whatever the reason, I am determined to take him on.

I know that fighting Mr. Rochester will not be easy. He is a powerful and experienced man, and I will need to be at my best if I hope to have a chance. But I am not one to back down from a challenge. I have trained hard and am ready to face whatever comes my way.

When the time comes for our fight, I will give it my all. I will use all of my skills and strength to try and defeat him. Whether I succeed or fail, I know that it will be an experience that I will never forget.

For years, I have been proclaiming that Jane Eyre is my all-time favorite novel.

And truly, it is. The character of Jane, in my eyes, is one of the most admirable and captivating fictional figures throughout history. She may be poor and plain, but her spirit is unyielding.

In an era when women were supposed to be witless and decorative, Jane, as portrayed through the words of Charlotte Bronte, defiantly refused to submit to those expectations.

She had a strong sense of self and a determination to live life on her own terms. Despite facing numerous hardships and obstacles, she never lost her integrity or her belief in herself.

Her story is one of courage, independence, and love. It is a tale that has touched the hearts of countless readers and continues to be relevant today.

Jane Eyre is not just a novel; it is a masterpiece that will be cherished for generations to come.

Jane, Jane, Jane!!

“I would always rather be happy than dignified.” This simple yet profound statement sets the tone for the remarkable journey of Jane Eyre.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being, with an independent will; which I now exert to leave you.” These words, spoken by Jane, showcase her unwavering spirit and determination.

In spite of and in part because of its nineteenth-century gothic romantic roots, Jane Eyre remains one of the great novels. It features one of the best characters of all time, a woman who fairly leaps off the page. Jane is a feminist for all ages, a role model who defies the norms of her society.

Oh, sure, it is (in part) about romance and love. The lines “I must, then, repeat continually that we are forever sundered - and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him.” and “I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you — especially when you are near to me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame.” prove the depth of their emotions.

But it is not just about romance. It is about life, about being yourself and forging your own path. Jane makes choices that are not always popular, but she follows her heart and her principles.

Some of the plot is mired in nineteenth-century melodrama, with its cruel school, sudden objections to marriage, madwoman in the attic, and shifts in fortune. However, these elements also add to the entertainment value within the gothic romantic genre.

Class and money matter in this book, but ultimately, it is not about the money. It is about friendship, love, and living a rich and independent life. And it is Jane, with her strength, perseverance, and unwavering spirit, who makes this book truly great.

"Each new chapter of a novel is like a new scene in a play."

What a sense of emptiness is left when you finish this book. I didn't want it to end, and it amazed me.

The pen of Charlotte Brontë is fantastic. I loved the narration. I adored every time Jane Eyre addressed the "Reader" as a person to whom she was relating her life.

The story is interesting from the beginning. I loved the personality of Jane Eyre at ten years old. Her way of thinking was very different from that of her cousins. She thought, "Why do they have the right to treat me differently when I'm the same as them?" And she was so right. They believed that because Jane wasn't graceful and rich, she deserved that treatment. I never liked her aunt or her spoiled cousins. I hated how they treated her. And when they sent her to school to learn to behave like a "lady," I feel that Jane never lost her essence or her way of thinking, but her behavior changed a lot, which is understandable.

I cried a lot for what happened to Helena. I loved that girl.

After leaving school, Jane wanted to see new places and got a job as a governess in Mr. Rochester's house. And I loved that man.

He's not perfect. They describe him as ugly and fat, but I completely fell in love with him. I loved his attitude towards her. And regarding the big "problem" that happened between them, I agreed with Rochester. If he didn't have his wife there, he would have sent her to a madhouse (I would have done the same). It was very kind of him to accept and take care of her. What I didn't agree with was that he didn't say it before.

Adele is such a lovely girl, as is Mrs. Fairfax. Something I really liked was what happened at the end with Jane's aunt. A person who hates another all her life, even until her last breath, will still hate that person and nothing in the world will change that, and that was so real.

What I got tired of was that everyone always said the same thing about Jane, "She's not so graceful, she's not beautiful." It bothered me a lot. For me, Jane was always beautiful because of her attractive personality and her way of thinking.

The same goes for Rochester. The two of them are beautiful and that's it.

In short, I loved it when Rochester told Jane that he loved her brown eyes and Jane said, "Reader, in reality, I have green eyes, but at the moment they were brown." Oh, I loved it. She took the time to explain everything to us at every moment, not skipping anything.

After the big problem, I found the reading a bit slow until Jane arrived with those people. I loved that she found those people. That girl needed the love of family, and they gave it to her.

And the end, the end was beautiful. It surprised me, I loved it, it captivated me... Everything.

I loved Rochester's jealousy, although I'm not entirely in agreement with what Jane did, but what else could she have done? In the end, she became independent as she always wanted and had a great man by her side. I loved Rochester's words and how Jane related how all her loved ones ended up and when she asked, "Reader, did you forget about Adele?" I said in my head, "Of course not," and she said there, "Neither did I." It was like chatting with someone, which is why I loved the writing of this work.

Also, the most remarkable thing of all is the way of thinking of Jane Eyre. For that time, it was difficult for someone to think the way she did, and that's why she was always authentic.

I directly knew that this book was going to be something I loved, and in the end, it amazed me.

There's nothing more to say. I highly recommend this work. Obviously, I will reread it from time to time.

The Brontë sisters had a gift for writing. They all write so differently, but each with their own originality. I could never decide between "Wuthering Heights" and this one. I love them both equally.

A wonderful work. And without a doubt, it will be among my best reads of this year.

\\n  \\n    Book Review\\n  \\n

3+ out of 5 stars to Jane Eyre, a remarkable novel penned in 1847 by Charlotte Brontë. I delved into this book during Spring break just before my 21st birthday. At that time, being a guy and an English major who was often compelled to read books I wasn't initially inclined towards, this one came at a moment when, while I liked it, I wasn't as passionately in love with it as many others seem to be. Hence, the 3+ rating. I firmly believe that if I were to read it today, it would easily merit a 4+. However, with a staggering 1200 books on my To-Be-Read list, I simply can't afford to embark on any re-reads without risking mental exhaustion. Perhaps I should explore a TV or Film adaptation to rejuvenate my interest?

This novel has all the essential elements. There's a young woman enduring hardships due to the conventions of the era and her family, two aspects that I typically enjoy in books. There's also the love of a 'good' man, which means witnessing a relationship that ebbs and flows. And, of course, there's drama aplenty as we wonder if she'll manage to escape her circumstances. Society was brutally harsh nearly 200 years ago, and I'm not sure I would have survived. I'm not one to be vocal about my opinions regarding people's behavior or societal limitations, but I firmly believe that anyone should be able to do as they please as long as they don't harm others or the world we inhabit.

If someone wants to marry their cousin, that's their business. If they desire to sleep with a new partner every night, more power to them. It doesn't impact me. If they choose to wear revealing clothing, by all means, look their best, just as long as they don't do it in a place where it might cause an accident! The point is, I sometimes struggle with books that deal with these conventions because I envision a world that is free and open. And when it isn't, while I can appreciate the struggle to achieve that, it becomes a bit challenging when combined with a 200-year-old setting and guidelines. That being said, I truly adore Jane. I empathize with her on many levels. In some ways, I could see myself in her shoes. The words and language used in the book are truly remarkable. It's a book that should be read, but one should be aware of what they're getting into.

\\n  \\n    About Me\\n  \\n

For those new to me or my reviews, here's the lowdown: I read an enormous amount. I write prolifically. And now I blog extensively as well. First, the book review makes its way onto Goodreads, and then I transfer it over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com. There, you'll also discover TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge, and a plethora of blogging about the various places I've visited around the globe. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the full scoop on the who/what/when/where and to see my pictures. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.

Child neglect, near death experiences, a touch of magical realism, the power of love, the powerlessness of the poor, sexual rivalry, mystery, madness - all these elements combine to make "Jane Eyre" a powerful and captivating novel.

The first quarter of the book delves into the hardships and abuse that Jane endures growing up. The Red Room episode, though brief, holds great significance. Jane's time at Lowood is also filled with challenges, yet she perseveres.

The portrayal of Christianity in the book is complex, with various characters representing different aspects. Mr Brocklehurst is cruel and hypocritical, while St John Rivers is cold and self-serving. Jane's own beliefs are somewhat vague, but she is moral and feisty.

The story also explores themes of male power, feminism, and their relevance today. Despite the limitations placed on women in Bronte's time, Jane is assertive and independent. The parallels with the story of Bluebeard add an interesting dimension.

Rochester's character is a mystery, with his motives and plans for his relationship with Jane unclear. His treatment of Bertha is also problematic. St John's proposal to Jane is alarming, as he is self-serving under the guise of serving God.

The magical realism element in the book is both strange and significant. The constant theme of "who knows what?" adds to the mystery and intrigue. Overall, "Jane Eyre" is a rich and multi-layered novel that is well worth rereading.

My own experience with the book began at school, where I was captivated by Jane's wild and rebellious nature. Each rereading has revealed new insights and interpretations. While I may not be convinced that it is a traditional love story, there is no denying the connection between the reader and Jane.

I also read Jean Rhys' prequel, "Wide Sargasso Sea," which provided a different perspective on the story. However, I was disappointed with the 2011 film adaptation, which failed to capture the complexity and ambiguity of the novel.

In conclusion, "Jane Eyre" remains a classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, loss, power, and identity are timeless, and its characters are unforgettable.

Jane Eyre was the first choice of the newly established Novel Notions Classics Club. The ladies on the site: TS, Emma, Haïfa, and I have discovered that delving into more challenging works as a group significantly enhances our enjoyment of the selected novel. Chatting with these women daily as we made our way through this book was an incredibly wonderful experience. I'm eagerly looking forward to doing it again!

“If all the world hated you, and believed you wicked, while your own conscience approved you, and absolved you from guilt, you would not be without friends.”

My review is a combination of past experiences and current thoughts about this book. Rather than writing a more detailed review, I've decided to make a few slight modifications to the last review I wrote for Jane Eyre, as my feelings haven't really changed; they've simply become stronger.

“I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.”

This is my third time reading Jane Eyre, and it's a book that seems to get better and better each time I pick it up. There are quite a number of classics that I love, but this novel is among my absolute favorites, tied with Frankenstein for the top position. Classics are vastly different from modern fiction and need to be read in a different way. Now that I understand this fact, reading classics has become much more fulfilling for me. This time around, I was able to read this with three lovely ladies, and it was a delight to discuss their opinions.

“You are original,” said he, “and not timid. There is something brave in your spirit, as well as penetrating in your eye.”

First of all, the writing is simply gorgeous. Charlotte Brontë wrote one of the most beautiful novels I've ever read. Every word she wrote had purpose and power. In this book, we have the story of an orphan girl's journey from survival to prosperity. Life has dealt her a difficult hand, but she handles herself with surprising poise and grace even in the toughest situations. Jane is different and marches to the beat of her own drum. So much so that many critics refused to believe that a woman had written the book when it was first published. There are times when Jane goes to great lengths to try to please those in her life because she is so desperate for the love and family that she never had, but she always has a line that she won't cross. When pushed too far, Jane always firmly stands her ground and refuses to lose her identity to those who wish to mold her into their ideals.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me.”

That's one of the most powerful lines I've ever read. Jane always remembers her free will and her freedom when faced with those who wish to take those inalienable rights from her, and she always defends those rights. Even in the face of losing that which she desires most in the world, she will not be caged or forced to compromise her principles.

We know that God is everywhere; but certainly we feel His presence most when His works are on the grandest scale spread before us; and it is in the unclouded night-sky, where His worlds wheel their silent course, that we read clearest His infinitude, His omnipotence, His omnipresence.

Another aspect of this book that I really loved was the faith that shone brightly from the pages. There was a great deal of theology, scripture, and soul-searching in this book. But what I loved most was the fact that it never felt forced or trite. Faith was as much a part of Brontë's time as breathing and is portrayed just as naturally. It is the core of Jane and was exquisitely presented because it was also the core of Charlotte. I love this quote from the foreword:

Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion. To attack the first is not to assail the last. To pluck the mask from the face of the Pharisee, is not to lift an impious hand to the Crown of Thorns.

And, of course, there's the romance that this book is most famous for. It's beautiful, but it's not what stands out to me. While it might be the most well-known aspect of the novel, it is not the central theme. In my opinion, Jane Eyre is the story of a girl overcoming hardships and finding herself, and always protecting that identity. Without a doubt, this is in my top five favorite classics. And without a doubt, it is a book that is meant to be revisited.

“…if the whole human race, ourselves excepted, were swept away, and we two stood alone on the earth, I would leave you in the old world, and betake myself to the new.”

Jane Eyre c’est moi!
I borrow the quote from the French writer to adapt it to the English classic of Charlotte Brontë.
Reading Jane Eyre means becoming Jane Eyre: it is to love Edward Rochester, to live at Thornfield, to be the governess of Adèle, to stand up to St. John.
I have completely immersed myself in the reading of this book and I come out of it... rich.
This novel takes me on a journey through the life of a strong and independent woman. Jane Eyre's struggles and triumphs make me feel a range of emotions. I am inspired by her determination to follow her heart and stay true to herself.
As I turn the pages, I am drawn into the world of Thornfield, imagining the grand house and the complex characters that inhabit it. I feel as if I am right there with Jane, experiencing her joys and sorrows.
The love story between Jane and Rochester is both passionate and tumultuous. Their relationship challenges my beliefs about love and sacrifice.
In conclusion, reading Jane Eyre has been a truly enriching experience. It has made me think about my own life and the choices I make. I will always remember this book and the impact it has had on me.

Famously, the most interesting character in Jane Eyre, the mad woman in the attic, barely gets to say a word.

Oddly, at face value, Bronte seems to have imaginatively and emotionally shunned her. She's largely a piece of Gothic stagecraft.

Bronte ignores the gagged and shackled woman, a perfect symbol of the historical plight of women up to that point in time, to focus on what might be seen as an adolescent romantic wish fulfilment narrative.

Jean Rhys recognized this missed opportunity and wrote an entire novel about her.

Interestingly, everyone else in this novel is hell bent on making the rational decision at every turn. Even Jane is constantly rationalizing her sexual passion.

An overload of rationality in any situation will always lead to the unacknowledged screaming prisoner in the attic. It's an oddly, wholly unintended Jungian novel.

I'd argue that one sign of genius is the ability to unintentionally anticipate ideas not consciously formulated.

You might say Jane Eyre is the blueprint for all romance fiction and has spawned the greatest amount of trashy reading matter among all great novels. In many ways, it's the literary teenage girl's dream book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with the inner adolescent female. But it's frankly baffling why so many women read only romance novels and pander to that adolescent girl throughout their reading life. I'd give up reading if every novel followed the Jane Eyre blueprint!

It's also interesting that one could argue that both of Jane's suitors are sadistic tyrants. As if for a woman at that time, it was simply a matter of choosing your poison.

Mr Rochester, for all his rather overly manufactured charm, is imprisoning a woman he may have contributed to driving mad.

Part of Bronte's wish fulfilment agenda is to see the male physically disabled, as if only then will his tyrannical authority be toppled and he be able to acknowledge and dramatize vulnerability.

Woolf criticized Bronte for allowing her bitterness at the reprehensible lot of women to seep into her writing, and it's true that behind romantic fantasizing there's almost always a catalyst of bitterness.

Bronte ultimately creates a world in which a "plain" woman might thrive, but in many ways the requisite conditions are as far-fetched as you could imagine. It's a fantasy that in the 19th century must have seemed as remote as the planet Mercury.

All that said, this is a triumph of compelling storytelling. However, I was left feeling that Emily was the real genius in the family: she was more innovative and delved much deeper into the human psyche. Which is why I'm now going to reread Wuthering Heights.

2018 - I would highly recommend the audiobook which is narrated by Thandie Newton. It is truly beautiful.

2016 - I firmly believe that this might potentially be my all-time favorite book.

Video Review -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E8ys...

Around the Year in 52 Books Challenge Notes:

- 11. A book from the Rory Gilmore Challenge. This challenge offers a great opportunity to explore a diverse range of books. It allows readers to expand their literary horizons and discover new favorites. The Rory Gilmore Challenge is known for its carefully curated list of books that涵盖various genres and time periods. By participating in this challenge, readers can gain a deeper understanding of different literary works and enhance their reading experience. It's a wonderful way to engage with literature and broaden one's knowledge.