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The Illustrated Jane Eyre
A devoted readership will recognize Dame Darcy as the creator of highly original and off-kilter comic books. Here she uses her lavishly detailed illustrations to bring the best-loved Victorian novel Jane Eyre back into the spotlight. Darkly elegant illustrations draw back the novel’s curtain, revealing the depths of human depravity, despair, and ultimate redemption. Sure to impress traditional fans and newcomers alike, The Illustrated Jane Eyre updates the classic for a new era.
560 pages, Paperback
Published September 21, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 1, 2009
Well, shut my mouth.
I've been making fun of Victorian literature for so long, I'd completely forgotten that I'd never actually read any. Being in China was the worst, where young women currently derive 98% of their impressions of female Western culture from Jane Austen novels, and are subsequently using slang and household vocabulary from the 18th and 19th centuries, with romantic notions to match. "Teacher, I cannot come to class because I have chilblains and ague; oh, I suffer so." And then they swoon over a charged look from a member of the opposite sex, an experience that makes them "flush and reel with unknown passions." Luckily, the other 2% seems to come from the Internet, so they dress like Japanese hookers with a fetish for fantasy novels. It's all very confusing.
In any event, I realized that, if I am to continue to mock my friends' taste in BBC period specials (12-hour versions of Pride and Prejudice and the like), then I should probably familiarize myself with the material. Lo and behold, I can - without pride, OR prejudice - say that Jane Eyre tore me a new one.
Seriously. I was hooked. 545-some-odd pages of wistfulness, swishing skirts, orphanages, and severe Christian morality, and I devoured it in a couple of days. What I hadn't counted on was the deep undercurrent of rebellion that runs through Bronte's work: the unlikely struggle of a woman holding her own against both class and gender inequities, and having her fire and faith in self ultimately rewarded. It doesn't get much better than that! Brava, Miss Charlotte. I'll read more - one of these days.
This edition is a great starter-kit for doubters such as myself, as it's illustrated by the self-proclaimed neo-Victorian hipster extraordinaire, "Dame Darcy," a cartoonist with a delightful body of work best typified by Meatcake, and with a jagged, big-eyed style that dances neatly between Tim Burton and an attack of a 12-year-old with a box of markers.
I've been making fun of Victorian literature for so long, I'd completely forgotten that I'd never actually read any. Being in China was the worst, where young women currently derive 98% of their impressions of female Western culture from Jane Austen novels, and are subsequently using slang and household vocabulary from the 18th and 19th centuries, with romantic notions to match. "Teacher, I cannot come to class because I have chilblains and ague; oh, I suffer so." And then they swoon over a charged look from a member of the opposite sex, an experience that makes them "flush and reel with unknown passions." Luckily, the other 2% seems to come from the Internet, so they dress like Japanese hookers with a fetish for fantasy novels. It's all very confusing.
In any event, I realized that, if I am to continue to mock my friends' taste in BBC period specials (12-hour versions of Pride and Prejudice and the like), then I should probably familiarize myself with the material. Lo and behold, I can - without pride, OR prejudice - say that Jane Eyre tore me a new one.
Seriously. I was hooked. 545-some-odd pages of wistfulness, swishing skirts, orphanages, and severe Christian morality, and I devoured it in a couple of days. What I hadn't counted on was the deep undercurrent of rebellion that runs through Bronte's work: the unlikely struggle of a woman holding her own against both class and gender inequities, and having her fire and faith in self ultimately rewarded. It doesn't get much better than that! Brava, Miss Charlotte. I'll read more - one of these days.
This edition is a great starter-kit for doubters such as myself, as it's illustrated by the self-proclaimed neo-Victorian hipster extraordinaire, "Dame Darcy," a cartoonist with a delightful body of work best typified by Meatcake, and with a jagged, big-eyed style that dances neatly between Tim Burton and an attack of a 12-year-old with a box of markers.
March 30, 2014
5+ STARS! ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!
November 18, 2019
Read December 2018
I’ve been meaning to read this book for many years and had it sitting on my shelves unread since summer 2015, yet somehow I never picked it up. Worried that maybe I wouldn’t like it, intimidated by its size and mostly just gotten used to having it sit there, wanting to read it, but not super excited anymore.
Then in the last few months of 2018 I decided to challenge myself. There were four months left so I picked the four books that had been sitting on myself the longest, Jane Eyre being one of them. Either I read them in these last few months, or I got rid of them by the end of 2018.
I’m so happy I finally read it!
Sure it wasn’t perfect; I don’t like Mr. Rochester that much, the age difference kind of creeps me out and I wasn’t a fan of the racism (yeah I know, different times..) However despite these things, I really loved reading it. I loved the writing style, the atmosphere created and I love that it wasn’t ‘just the romance’ I was expecting to get, but that we also got to see her childhood, follow her coming of age.
Also, my edition is illustrated by Dame Darcy which really added to my experience and love for this book.
I’ve been meaning to read this book for many years and had it sitting on my shelves unread since summer 2015, yet somehow I never picked it up. Worried that maybe I wouldn’t like it, intimidated by its size and mostly just gotten used to having it sit there, wanting to read it, but not super excited anymore.
Then in the last few months of 2018 I decided to challenge myself. There were four months left so I picked the four books that had been sitting on myself the longest, Jane Eyre being one of them. Either I read them in these last few months, or I got rid of them by the end of 2018.
I’m so happy I finally read it!
Sure it wasn’t perfect; I don’t like Mr. Rochester that much, the age difference kind of creeps me out and I wasn’t a fan of the racism (yeah I know, different times..) However despite these things, I really loved reading it. I loved the writing style, the atmosphere created and I love that it wasn’t ‘just the romance’ I was expecting to get, but that we also got to see her childhood, follow her coming of age.
Also, my edition is illustrated by Dame Darcy which really added to my experience and love for this book.
June 6, 2022
Finally finished this book. I hated it...
May 31, 2020
Ihan käypänen tarina.
August 23, 2009
I still think this book is about the portrait of an artist that can't really do her art. Having said that, this time I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I can see why it gets its rave reviews. Rochester is both her mentor and also her kin. He is a fully realized character and like her, totally trapped by love. It is interesting that when we first meet him, we see him trapped. Though he is very proud and even a bit mean, he is just as trapped as she is, even more. And Jane is hardly a typical victorian heroine, she will accept men only as equals. She won't be any ones kept woman, even Rochester's. Even Rivers, who loves her a little unreligiously. I loved the line she uses about his "experimental kisses." But, he tries to put her in a victorian box and she won't go there, won't be anything but his equal. I loved the kink that he was a family member, even called her sister on occassion. All of the Bronte sister's novels have whiffs of incest and this one is no exception. After all Tenant of Wildfell Hall is about Anne's brother, and Wuthering Heights has the great line, "Nelly, I am Heathcliff". This book even features scenes about bad brother Branwell who makes it into all of the sister's books. I completly enjoyed every page of this book and wish I had finished it when I tried reading it earlier. This is a great book.
What I also found interesting is that these characters are on the margins of society. Love and romance, practically a religon in Victorian England have left these characters dry. Helen Burns, the unlikely spirit of feminity in the novel, never experiences it. Rochester is finally trapped by it. Rivers, though he wants it, isn't really capable of it. Jane finally gets it, but can only accept it on her terms. It's view of morality is interesting too. This takes place in a atmosphere where morality isn't relative, no one would see anything wrong in Jane being with Rochester. Why not, his wife is clearly mad and homocidal. But this isn't Helen Burn's morality, it is beyond ones feelings and attitudes. That is why Jane has to remove herself.
Also interesting is how the characters relate to each other. They all do seem to be part of Jane. Helen Burns is Jane's higher self, Rochester and his mad wife are both extremes each a slave to the body. Rochester doesn't think beyond his own desires. He must have Jane and can't see why she won't be with him. The mad wife is nothing but her desires, desire for food and violence. The trap of being a unconvential person is despair and despair is often the first step towards a kind of pride that exhalts one's own desires above all else. It is a trap already ensaring Rochester and Jane must avoid his example. Yet, Rivers whom she does admire more is also a trap. Though outwardly religious, he is lustfull too. His kisses are called interstingly by Jane "Experimental". He is also seen in terms of incest, they call each other family, he calls her a sister. It seems at first with him, Jane can reach the Helen Burns model of feminity, her life for a greater purpose. But Jane sees the sensualist in Rivers and insists on being a co minister. If only Anne Hutchinson had seen that! Anyway, it is something Rivers can never abide. He too is an extreme, a denial of the body. Though he is a sesualist, he won't name it as such, in fact runs away from it. She sees that clearly. In this way, he is just as trapped as Rochester is. Her rigourous honesty is the honesty of Helen Burns who sees past her own suffering as to what a stronger person that suffering will make. Jane too sees beyound what is in front of her, and this is what makes her such an interesting and intelligent heroine. She is a later cousin of Elizabeth Bennet, insisting upon herself and her rights because of what she sees around her. That's what makes this novel worth reading despite it's length and apparent lack of humor.
What I also found interesting is that these characters are on the margins of society. Love and romance, practically a religon in Victorian England have left these characters dry. Helen Burns, the unlikely spirit of feminity in the novel, never experiences it. Rochester is finally trapped by it. Rivers, though he wants it, isn't really capable of it. Jane finally gets it, but can only accept it on her terms. It's view of morality is interesting too. This takes place in a atmosphere where morality isn't relative, no one would see anything wrong in Jane being with Rochester. Why not, his wife is clearly mad and homocidal. But this isn't Helen Burn's morality, it is beyond ones feelings and attitudes. That is why Jane has to remove herself.
Also interesting is how the characters relate to each other. They all do seem to be part of Jane. Helen Burns is Jane's higher self, Rochester and his mad wife are both extremes each a slave to the body. Rochester doesn't think beyond his own desires. He must have Jane and can't see why she won't be with him. The mad wife is nothing but her desires, desire for food and violence. The trap of being a unconvential person is despair and despair is often the first step towards a kind of pride that exhalts one's own desires above all else. It is a trap already ensaring Rochester and Jane must avoid his example. Yet, Rivers whom she does admire more is also a trap. Though outwardly religious, he is lustfull too. His kisses are called interstingly by Jane "Experimental". He is also seen in terms of incest, they call each other family, he calls her a sister. It seems at first with him, Jane can reach the Helen Burns model of feminity, her life for a greater purpose. But Jane sees the sensualist in Rivers and insists on being a co minister. If only Anne Hutchinson had seen that! Anyway, it is something Rivers can never abide. He too is an extreme, a denial of the body. Though he is a sesualist, he won't name it as such, in fact runs away from it. She sees that clearly. In this way, he is just as trapped as Rochester is. Her rigourous honesty is the honesty of Helen Burns who sees past her own suffering as to what a stronger person that suffering will make. Jane too sees beyound what is in front of her, and this is what makes her such an interesting and intelligent heroine. She is a later cousin of Elizabeth Bennet, insisting upon herself and her rights because of what she sees around her. That's what makes this novel worth reading despite it's length and apparent lack of humor.
September 10, 2023
This is a really difficult book for me to rate because my feelings toward it are so mixed. As such, I've decided not to rate it and to just leave a few thoughts that will maybe prompt a rating down the line.
This is a beautifully written book. The descriptions of the natural landscape, of the abodes Jane dwells in, and of the various characters who populate this Bildungsroman are immersive and captivating. There were moments of dialogue between Jane and Rochester that I found brilliant. I often found myself smiling at Jane's clever remarks and her steadfast commitment to her principles and her independence. I can see why Bronte's work here is considered a touchstone of (white) feminism.
That being said, there were parts of this novel that I found so cringey. The less oppressive of the cringe: Rochester's possessive and icky rhetoric (he refers to Jane as his "pet lamb" and "mustard-seed" among other vomit-inducing titles that Hallmark probably should capitalize on) and his obsessive need to find himself a pure vag to magically reform him of his degenerate ways and past woes. I say less oppressive because I expected this...What I really cannot get over is the blatant pro-British rhetoric, classist language, and the seriously problematic othering/racialization of Bertha Mason. Sure, you can tell me that the book is a product of its time and the background of its writer. I'm a historian. I get it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.
This is a beautifully written book. The descriptions of the natural landscape, of the abodes Jane dwells in, and of the various characters who populate this Bildungsroman are immersive and captivating. There were moments of dialogue between Jane and Rochester that I found brilliant. I often found myself smiling at Jane's clever remarks and her steadfast commitment to her principles and her independence. I can see why Bronte's work here is considered a touchstone of (white) feminism.
That being said, there were parts of this novel that I found so cringey. The less oppressive of the cringe: Rochester's possessive and icky rhetoric (he refers to Jane as his "pet lamb" and "mustard-seed" among other vomit-inducing titles that Hallmark probably should capitalize on) and his obsessive need to find himself a pure vag to magically reform him of his degenerate ways and past woes. I say less oppressive because I expected this...What I really cannot get over is the blatant pro-British rhetoric, classist language, and the seriously problematic othering/racialization of Bertha Mason. Sure, you can tell me that the book is a product of its time and the background of its writer. I'm a historian. I get it. But it doesn't mean I have to like it.
May 5, 2008
I'm embarrassed to say that I'm barely reading this at the age of 30. I wish I would have read this wonderful book sooner in life but I'm glad I've read it in my lifetime. This was such a pleasant book to read.
I found myself relating to Jane in so many ways. She is a very humble yet strong woman who handles life as it is handed to her. It seems like it is hard to ruffle her feathers but when they are ruffled she doesn't complain about it. She evaluates her situation and decides what is best for her. At the same time she is looking after herself she is deeply committed to the welfare of others. There were many times in this book I thought "Jane Eyre is me!" or maybe it's more like "I am Jane Eyre!"
This story has gothic and humanist elements. It contained suspense. It also contained the heroic element in that I could see Jane's story being related on Oprah.
The Dame Darcy illustrations were a very nice touch.
I was very happy with the ending and felt very satisfied mentally. It was like eating a 5 course meal and being satisfied. I adored this book!
I found myself relating to Jane in so many ways. She is a very humble yet strong woman who handles life as it is handed to her. It seems like it is hard to ruffle her feathers but when they are ruffled she doesn't complain about it. She evaluates her situation and decides what is best for her. At the same time she is looking after herself she is deeply committed to the welfare of others. There were many times in this book I thought "Jane Eyre is me!" or maybe it's more like "I am Jane Eyre!"
This story has gothic and humanist elements. It contained suspense. It also contained the heroic element in that I could see Jane's story being related on Oprah.
The Dame Darcy illustrations were a very nice touch.
I was very happy with the ending and felt very satisfied mentally. It was like eating a 5 course meal and being satisfied. I adored this book!
September 25, 2021
Super love Jane Eyre <3 The prose is just UGH beautiful. The story feels like a telenovela with the melodrama and the villains and the plot twists. (And we all know we filipinos love us a good telenovela) The language may not be as accessible but I actually enjoy re-reading the passages to really understand the text. There are so many quotable lines from this book. One of my faves (because it shows you how badass of a character Jane Eyre actually is):
‘I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have—your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.’
BOOM! Go off girl!
This is a gothic, dark, emotional, sad book BUT don’t worry it does end pretty well. PLUS the edition I own has lovely gothic illustrations which really enhanced my overall reading experience. I can’t recommend this book enough! Must read at least once
‘I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have—your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.’
BOOM! Go off girl!
This is a gothic, dark, emotional, sad book BUT don’t worry it does end pretty well. PLUS the edition I own has lovely gothic illustrations which really enhanced my overall reading experience. I can’t recommend this book enough! Must read at least once
December 15, 2010
Like her sister's book, Wuthering Heights, I enjoyed Jane Eyre more than I thought I would. This edition has really cool pictures, too, which kept me interested! The writing was strong, if not a little dry, and I thought some of her quotes were very clever. I enjoyed the story (want to hear more about this so-called crazy wife upstairs - is The Wide Sargasso Sea worth the read?)
My question is - if you have a crazy person upstairs, and they are known to sneak out and cause mayhem, then why the heck wouldn't you send them away somewhere? However, I like to see such a strong and well fleshed-out female protagonist.
My question is - if you have a crazy person upstairs, and they are known to sneak out and cause mayhem, then why the heck wouldn't you send them away somewhere? However, I like to see such a strong and well fleshed-out female protagonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2014
I absolutely loved it! The pictures and everything about the book made it easy to read. Reading classics can be such a pain now, because one needs a microscope to read the text, but the size and spacing were perfect in this book! I loved the actual story as well, I realize I prefer old books' versions of romance to modern. The girls had more backbone and they kept their actions in check plus the stories as a whole were much cleaner. So, even though it seems crazy, I found it refreshing to read and finally finish this book. Now I get to watch the movie! :)
March 4, 2017
Logic vs feeling, desire vs principle, God vs Man. These are some of the heavy topics that are touched in Jane Eyre. And the book does not give easy answers to these topics. Instead, the book invites you to analyse the behaviour of the characters, and see whether their actions help or do not help other people.
A good read nonetheless.
A good read nonetheless.
September 7, 2014
We had quite a discussion. Am now more familiar with this book than I ever expected to be. And am now actually still interested in learning more -- over time, however, not in any concentrated way right now. It is time to move on to some other authors for the moment.
June 22, 2007
I haven't read this since I was a teen, but I remember why I loved it then. Add illustrations by Dame Darcy ... gothy bliss!
July 21, 2024
13 year old me was unfamiliar with this book's game
April 29, 2025
Absolutely loved. What a story! I truly understand why this is a classic. Janet and Sir forever❤️
December 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
So happy to have finally read Jane Eyre! Wonderful classic that stands the test of time.
Jane is such a strong character. I loved seeing her grow over the course of the novel.
Mr. Rochester is my fav l’il weirdo. (The fortune teller scene?? hahaha this man is down bad)
So happy to have finally read Jane Eyre! Wonderful classic that stands the test of time.
Jane is such a strong character. I loved seeing her grow over the course of the novel.
Mr. Rochester is my fav l’il weirdo. (The fortune teller scene?? hahaha this man is down bad)
November 29, 2025
Jane Eyre lived an extremely difficult life, yet with every obstacle, even as a small child, continued to remain humble and sweet. She was never spiteful or ill willed, no matter the hardship that came her way. Her mindset was so compelling to me, I was so drawn to her. This was definitely a wonder and captivating book.
August 22, 2012
This is a curious book to rate. For the first two hundred pages or so, I would've given it five stars. Jane's childhood and her life at Lowood were fascinating to me. I loved the slightly sour lick the narration had; Jane was not a happy child, and her narration was often bitter and delightfully foul. This was my favorite part of the book, and the reason I'm keeping it on my bookshelf.
Her time spent at Thornfield I also breezed through, though the last few chapters of Volume II - when she and Mr Rochester are about to be married and all hell breaks loose, and lots and lots of pages are spent in paragraph-long speeches - my interest started to wane a little. I'm not a fan of Rochester as a character; he was fairly unpleasant, demanding, and controlling without a perceivable redeeming grace, and I just didn't find him interesting to read about. Jane's character too diminished as soon as Rochester took center stage, because suddenly all she cared about was him.
The last third of the book I really had to force myself through, and I'll admit that a lot of St John's romantic problems I skimmed with great sighs of frustration. So there was a hundred or so pages in there I might've rated a 2 or 3 star. I just didn't care about the Rivers family, or that Jane was on the brink of starvation after three days wandering around outside, or that John wanted a wife for his mission but couldn't marry the one girl because of ~reasons~. It really felt like we were wandering around wasting time until she went back to Thornfield.
The return to Rochester was interesting, and I liked the end of the book, I liked that she was finally happy. Jane Eyre led an incredibly sheltered life where she was pretty much thrust around by whoever was currently in charge of her. You never really saw her take care of herself; she called herself independent because her uncle died and gave her some money, but that didn't really feel like enough for me, who had come to care about her character and wanted to see her gain some kind of victory outside of securing a fortune and landing a husband. But then I remembered the time period in which the book was set and written, and my expectations were duly checked.
Overall though, for all I'm complaining, I really liked the majority of this book. Dame Darcy's illustrations were epically cool, adding quirky charm every few pages. (Books are always better with illustrations, don't ever let anyone tell you different.) Most of Jane Eyre was extremely interesting, engaging, funny, and just fun to read; though when it got boring, whoooo boy, was it boring. The first two thirds I'd give a five, the last a three, so overall I'll give this book a four star rating and get the hell out of here.
Her time spent at Thornfield I also breezed through, though the last few chapters of Volume II - when she and Mr Rochester are about to be married and all hell breaks loose, and lots and lots of pages are spent in paragraph-long speeches - my interest started to wane a little. I'm not a fan of Rochester as a character; he was fairly unpleasant, demanding, and controlling without a perceivable redeeming grace, and I just didn't find him interesting to read about. Jane's character too diminished as soon as Rochester took center stage, because suddenly all she cared about was him.
The last third of the book I really had to force myself through, and I'll admit that a lot of St John's romantic problems I skimmed with great sighs of frustration. So there was a hundred or so pages in there I might've rated a 2 or 3 star. I just didn't care about the Rivers family, or that Jane was on the brink of starvation after three days wandering around outside, or that John wanted a wife for his mission but couldn't marry the one girl because of ~reasons~. It really felt like we were wandering around wasting time until she went back to Thornfield.
The return to Rochester was interesting, and I liked the end of the book, I liked that she was finally happy. Jane Eyre led an incredibly sheltered life where she was pretty much thrust around by whoever was currently in charge of her. You never really saw her take care of herself; she called herself independent because her uncle died and gave her some money, but that didn't really feel like enough for me, who had come to care about her character and wanted to see her gain some kind of victory outside of securing a fortune and landing a husband. But then I remembered the time period in which the book was set and written, and my expectations were duly checked.
Overall though, for all I'm complaining, I really liked the majority of this book. Dame Darcy's illustrations were epically cool, adding quirky charm every few pages. (Books are always better with illustrations, don't ever let anyone tell you different.) Most of Jane Eyre was extremely interesting, engaging, funny, and just fun to read; though when it got boring, whoooo boy, was it boring. The first two thirds I'd give a five, the last a three, so overall I'll give this book a four star rating and get the hell out of here.
April 23, 2016
*2.0*
Okay, so I'm not going to go so far as to say this was a bad book. Because it wasn't. It was a book filled with a strong female heroine who was not afraid to stand up against societal norms and seek out the life she thought was fit for herself: a life dictated by her own wants and desires and actions.
And there is always something admirable about a woman who faces adversity but is willing to overcome those challenges with her own dignity in tact. Jane Eyre is a woman who won't take no crap from no man! She wants to marry on her own standards, and such a trait is admirable. Not only that, but she also seeks a career that best fits where she thinks she can best be utilized. And if that means walking out of one career path then so be it.
So where did the book go wrong? Clearly it had the message I had hoped for (and to be frank, expected). But it just didn't do much more than deliver your average feminist novel. I didn't feel really connected to the characters (I have to say though, I was always Team Rochester), nor was I captivated by the writing style. I guess you could say I don't prefer British Literature. It's just not my cup of tea.
All the book really was was life BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER Rochester. That's about it.
I'm sure if I had demonstrated better commitment to reading this book, I would have enjoyed it more. But considering it just took me SO DANG LONG TO FINISH IT, my rating thus went down as I found myself dragging my mentally exhausted brain over the finish line of the last chapter.
Jane Eyre, you weren't bad, but just like St. John, I didn't really like you.
-Katelyn
Okay, so I'm not going to go so far as to say this was a bad book. Because it wasn't. It was a book filled with a strong female heroine who was not afraid to stand up against societal norms and seek out the life she thought was fit for herself: a life dictated by her own wants and desires and actions.
And there is always something admirable about a woman who faces adversity but is willing to overcome those challenges with her own dignity in tact. Jane Eyre is a woman who won't take no crap from no man! She wants to marry on her own standards, and such a trait is admirable. Not only that, but she also seeks a career that best fits where she thinks she can best be utilized. And if that means walking out of one career path then so be it.
So where did the book go wrong? Clearly it had the message I had hoped for (and to be frank, expected). But it just didn't do much more than deliver your average feminist novel. I didn't feel really connected to the characters (I have to say though, I was always Team Rochester), nor was I captivated by the writing style. I guess you could say I don't prefer British Literature. It's just not my cup of tea.
All the book really was was life BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER Rochester. That's about it.
I'm sure if I had demonstrated better commitment to reading this book, I would have enjoyed it more. But considering it just took me SO DANG LONG TO FINISH IT, my rating thus went down as I found myself dragging my mentally exhausted brain over the finish line of the last chapter.
Jane Eyre, you weren't bad, but just like St. John, I didn't really like you.
-Katelyn
March 28, 2014
I have really enjoyed being able to take my time with this book, revel in the language, and get lost in the story. This is such a good book and Jane Eyre is a great character with a sharp mind and real strength of character. I think a lot of readers can relate to her struggles with loneliness and feeling trapped, but can be uplifted by Jane's spirit and her journey to self discovery and finding her place in this world.
This novel is written as Jane Eyre's autobiography. It spans years and it is brilliant and complex. Throughout the book, Charlotte Brontë explores interesting themes such as religion, love, independence, and social criticisms of Victorian England. It seems that the author uses Jane to voice her own thoughts and opinions on these subjects. At times, these thoughts and opinions differ from the prevailing ones of that time period, leading to many critiques and discussions about the contents of "Jane Eyre" upon its original publication. Yet, none could deny the talent of the author--who then went by the pen name Currer Bell. The prose is beautiful and the dialogue, particularly between Jane and Rochester, truly sparkles. I loved reading the conversations between these two clever and quick-witted individuals, because Brontë manages to create such easy chemistry between them.
Dame Darcy's illustrations in this edition are a great complement to the written work. Darcy's drawings are dark and eerie, setting a very cool gothic mood for the book, and I think her contribution helps to make this an even more appealing read for modern audiences.
This novel is written as Jane Eyre's autobiography. It spans years and it is brilliant and complex. Throughout the book, Charlotte Brontë explores interesting themes such as religion, love, independence, and social criticisms of Victorian England. It seems that the author uses Jane to voice her own thoughts and opinions on these subjects. At times, these thoughts and opinions differ from the prevailing ones of that time period, leading to many critiques and discussions about the contents of "Jane Eyre" upon its original publication. Yet, none could deny the talent of the author--who then went by the pen name Currer Bell. The prose is beautiful and the dialogue, particularly between Jane and Rochester, truly sparkles. I loved reading the conversations between these two clever and quick-witted individuals, because Brontë manages to create such easy chemistry between them.
Dame Darcy's illustrations in this edition are a great complement to the written work. Darcy's drawings are dark and eerie, setting a very cool gothic mood for the book, and I think her contribution helps to make this an even more appealing read for modern audiences.
March 10, 2012
I started reading this version of Jane Eyre because my bookgroup were reading Charlotte Bronte's works. I'd read Jane Eyre for the first time at least five years ago, but had forgotten much of the details. I remembered the haunting descriptions of Jane's friend Helen early on, and her staying at the Rivers house later, and not much in between. It was nice to revisit the story. I don't often reread, but when I do always get a lot out of it. For some reason this rereading took me months (reading other books in the interim of course). I enjoyed the writing. There are of course some notions that appear quaint to the modern reader-Adele grew up, receiving a ""sound English education"" which ""corrected in a great measure her French defects"". Another sentence that caused me particular mirth was concerning Mrs Poole ""very trustworthy, but for one fault- a fault common to a deal of them nurses and matrons- she kept a private bottle of gin by her"". Great stuff. The illustrations were secondary for me, but they did add some interest at times, particularly if the text was dragging a little, as it must in any 500+ page tome. The BBC Big Read in 2003 put Jane Eyre at #10 best loved novel of all time. I wouldn't put it in my top 10, but I am glad that I've read it (twice).
July 23, 2025
Oh Jane, I used to think you so pious and chaste! Which you are, but these are to your advantage and not your detriment. Age and experience has taught me the error of my ways. Women did not have a lot in 1847(46?), but they had their morals and principles and Jane would stand fast to those and not let them be taken or trodden by anyone or by any means.
There is so much you could say about this book, but I don't want to get into the details. There is some melodrama, which is to be expected of this time, but it doesn't drag it down one iota, in my opinion. I think the main themes are nicely summed up by a quote from Charlotte Bronte in a preface from the first edition:
I turned back to this often while reading.
Jane is so true to herself and such a heroine to look up to. I have so much admiration for her strength of character. I am also a Rochester apologist, and I think he and Jane are quite kindred spirits, as Anne Shirley would say.
This is just a great, great book. I love it. One of my favourites.
There is so much you could say about this book, but I don't want to get into the details. There is some melodrama, which is to be expected of this time, but it doesn't drag it down one iota, in my opinion. I think the main themes are nicely summed up by a quote from Charlotte Bronte in a preface from the first edition:
Conventionality is not morality. Self-righteousness is not religion
I turned back to this often while reading.
Jane is so true to herself and such a heroine to look up to. I have so much admiration for her strength of character. I am also a Rochester apologist, and I think he and Jane are quite kindred spirits, as Anne Shirley would say.
This is just a great, great book. I love it. One of my favourites.
September 21, 2012
Within the first pages of Jane Eyre it became easy to see how it became such a well-loved book and also get a sense I would love it as well. Even knowing something of the story going in, the title character’s frankness and precocity was unexpected and winning. It also was clear from the start how Jane Eyre has found its way onto so many high-schoolers’ bookshelves over the years; for all her principled discipline, Jane is something of a badass. The story essentially plays out as a series of defiance against and rejections of forces that typically do not lose these battles, certainly not in Victorian England. So the reader gets to thrill to not a single underdog tale, but several: in turns, Jane’s rejection of being made a patsy or doormat in either of her childhood homes, or a mistress or servant in her adult ones. Despite the abundance of these encore performances, they do not grow tiresome or fail to vindicate. The first-and-only disappointment comes at the epilogue, which struck me as too convenient and pat to be satisfying, but which is fortunately short and mostly unnecessary for appreciating everything before.
May 13, 2025
What a ride it’s been with you, Jane’t 💜❤️🔥✨
4.25 (.75 bc the men really yapped, yapped too long for me LOL)
I am so glad to have read this with friends because truly, it had me gagged, laughing and wilding out. Our Jane really could not catch a BREAK until the final pages. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I, truly, was with you girl, through everything. I was duly impressed with how Charlotte Brontë really captured the mind of a woman. Jane was so relatable in her dreams, longings, delulus and pragmatism at times. I was so proud of her when she did what she knew was right for her and when she stood up for herself. Ugh, she was just our bestie fr
Reading through this copy was great. I loved the illustrations. I think my favorite was St John’s absolute bombastic side eye and then probably Jane’s dream of the ruins. They gave it an even more gothic feeling.
The plot meandered but it didn’t feel like it took it away from Jane. It made sense even in all the chaos.
Overall, this story wishes for everyone to find their person, the one true person who matches their freak, down to the atom, for real and for life. We love you, Jane Eyre 🙂↕️💜🫶🏼✨
4.25 (.75 bc the men really yapped, yapped too long for me LOL)
I am so glad to have read this with friends because truly, it had me gagged, laughing and wilding out. Our Jane really could not catch a BREAK until the final pages. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I, truly, was with you girl, through everything. I was duly impressed with how Charlotte Brontë really captured the mind of a woman. Jane was so relatable in her dreams, longings, delulus and pragmatism at times. I was so proud of her when she did what she knew was right for her and when she stood up for herself. Ugh, she was just our bestie fr
Reading through this copy was great. I loved the illustrations. I think my favorite was St John’s absolute bombastic side eye and then probably Jane’s dream of the ruins. They gave it an even more gothic feeling.
The plot meandered but it didn’t feel like it took it away from Jane. It made sense even in all the chaos.
Overall, this story wishes for everyone to find their person, the one true person who matches their freak, down to the atom, for real and for life. We love you, Jane Eyre 🙂↕️💜🫶🏼✨
April 18, 2008
I believe it's fair to say that this was my favorite novel to read up to this point in my life. Jane is startingly real and it is almost eerie how much of myself I see in her. I've never sympathized with a fictional person more than I did with Ms Eyre; she is a strong woman with a fiercely independent will, yet she remains vulnerable and hypercritical of her own faults. She has a twentieth century woman's mindset in a world of prudish, haughty, oppressive Victorians.
My personal tip to you: if you have never read this novel before, do NOT talk to anyone about it who has, and do not read any plot synopses. One of its most enjoyable elements is the mystery looming over the nature of each and every character; just when you believe you have rightfully classified a person as tied to a function or another, they turn out to serve another purpose entirely.
It may sound as if Jane is working off of a feminist agenda, but I would recommend this novel to anyone over the age of fifteen or so. Anyone younger would probably not be able to appreciate fully what Jane has to offer.
My personal tip to you: if you have never read this novel before, do NOT talk to anyone about it who has, and do not read any plot synopses. One of its most enjoyable elements is the mystery looming over the nature of each and every character; just when you believe you have rightfully classified a person as tied to a function or another, they turn out to serve another purpose entirely.
It may sound as if Jane is working off of a feminist agenda, but I would recommend this novel to anyone over the age of fifteen or so. Anyone younger would probably not be able to appreciate fully what Jane has to offer.
June 6, 2011
Rarely do I pick up "the classics" anymore, but when I do, I am reminded why they are classics and why they are timelessly enjoyed. I picked up this book as a result of looking over several booklists that I have collected over the years and noticing that it repeatedly came up on those them. Also, when hearing that it was being made into a movie and that my wife wanted to see it, I figured now was the time to read it. And I am glad I did.
What caught my attention right away was the dark mystery behind the opening chapters. Charlotte Bronte drew me into Jane Eyre's character by making her an outcasted figure. Stories of intriguing outcasts have always piqued my interest, so Jane was no different. And the dark tones of the story never let up. Although a dark novel, I was also drawn in by the shafts of light through characters like Helen Burns and Mr. Rochester and situations like Jane's diligence in teaching those viewed as "low."
I am proud to list this book as "amazing," and it will be read again in the future as my children grow up and as we read together.
What caught my attention right away was the dark mystery behind the opening chapters. Charlotte Bronte drew me into Jane Eyre's character by making her an outcasted figure. Stories of intriguing outcasts have always piqued my interest, so Jane was no different. And the dark tones of the story never let up. Although a dark novel, I was also drawn in by the shafts of light through characters like Helen Burns and Mr. Rochester and situations like Jane's diligence in teaching those viewed as "low."
I am proud to list this book as "amazing," and it will be read again in the future as my children grow up and as we read together.
January 13, 2015
Surprising and subtle, I had expected something in the vein of Wuthering Heights, but was pleased to be wrong. This is not a love story, and to describe it as such takes away from it. Jane Eyre shows the development of a compassionate, wise, independent-minded woman who comes into her own; Jane makes herself a complete whole and will not allow herself to be compromised. Young Jane is an Oliver Twist-ish orphan to be pitied, but grown Jane is a person to be respected and honored for her perseverance and strength. Jane is a great character, deep and feeling, revealed through thoughts and words.
My only regret is that Jane did not dress St. John down for his self-righteous speeches to her at the end. I had expected her usual bluntness to surface.
The illustrations in this version I could do without. Their silly gothic-comic book style seemed campy in comparison to the story which is so unembellished (despite its hints of gothic mystery).
My only regret is that Jane did not dress St. John down for his self-righteous speeches to her at the end. I had expected her usual bluntness to surface.
The illustrations in this version I could do without. Their silly gothic-comic book style seemed campy in comparison to the story which is so unembellished (despite its hints of gothic mystery).
March 18, 2011
I really liked this book. The first section was difficult to get through. (It felt a little bit like "A Series of Unfortunate Events.") But, once it started going I was taken in and really began to feel for Jane. She was wonderful. Rochester was charming in his own way (although I would probably be taken in by St John before I would give Rochester the time of day), and the plot was complicated enough without being to hard to understand.
I love books like this, even months after I have finished it, I am remembering interesting things about it. I am reconnecting with the characters and thinking differently about their predicaments.
I feel like out of the billions of books out there, this is probably one of the better ones. I don't know what that means exactly, just that literature is supposed to be good, and this book is.
I love books like this, even months after I have finished it, I am remembering interesting things about it. I am reconnecting with the characters and thinking differently about their predicaments.
I feel like out of the billions of books out there, this is probably one of the better ones. I don't know what that means exactly, just that literature is supposed to be good, and this book is.
February 21, 2023
Jane Eyre by far is one of my favorite female characters after reading this book... Maybe it's because I feel connected to her; we are both reasonable, straightforward, and caring women. But I absolutely fell in love with her because I loved her independent spirit and her courage for just being true to herself. There's something to learn from her that I think many women today can still do. It was also lovely to see her fall in love with a man who truly loved her and treated her with the respect that she deserved. Their relationship is one that I believe many people should strive for, which is a relationship based on love, respect, understanding, and honesty, though Mr. Rochester didn't quite show that virtue at first. In my opinion overall this is a timeless book that I look forward to rereading again in the future.
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