Jane Eyre in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Feb 11, 2011 Lydia Presley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, classics, favorites, 2011

One of the most challenging aspects of reading classic literature is, for me, reviewing it once I've finished. Why is that? Well, what do I have to say that could shed some new, some interesting light on a story that has been enjoyed by so many for so many years? I can't. It's impossible. However, I can try to impart some sense of why I enjoyed the book (or disliked it if it came to that). So that's how I will handle Jane Eyre.

It's been over a decade since I've read this book. I have no clue why One of the most challenging aspects of reading classic literature is, for me, reviewing it once I've finished. Why is that? Well, what do I have to say that could shed some new, some interesting light on a story that has been enjoyed by so many for so many years? I can't. It's impossible. However, I can try to impart some sense of why I enjoyed the book (or disliked it if it came to that). So that's how I will handle Jane Eyre.

It's been over a decade since I've read this book. I have no clue why I've waited so long to pick it up, but I did find that the length of time provided me with some sense of "newness". I'd forgotten about St. John and his sisters, I'd remembered Lowood as a place of anger and misery, and I'd forgotten much of why I loved Jane so much.

Today I read so many books that center around beautiful men and women, boys and girls, that I forget sometimes that love transcends outward beauty in stories. Jane is not a beautiful girl, and never lays claim to being so and I was struck again by her method of reminding herself of this fact and how she dealt with it.

Listen, then, Jane Eyre, to your sentence: tomorrow, place the glass before you, and draw in chalk your own picture, faithfully, without softening one defect; omit no harsh line, smooth away no displeasing irregularity; write under it, 'Portrait of a Governess, disconnected, poor, and plain.'

I admit to choking a bit of a sob back when I read this part of the book, but I don't quite know why I did. It wasn't tragic that Jane isn't beautiful, we all know how the story ends (and if you don't, read it and stop reading this!), so why did it affect me so much?

I think because I can relate to Jane. I give myself reality checks because I tend to run away with hopes and dreams that aren't realistic. But that's not to say I shouldn't have hope and shouldn't dream - but like Jane I need an anchor, something to look at to remind myself that, as much as I love to dream, I also need to live in the here and now.

So that's what I took away from reading Jane Eyre this time. I also thoroughly enjoyed the deep mystery, the beautiful, sweeping love story and the tragic brilliance of the story.
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Aug 03, 2010 Emma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, classics

I had been meaning to read this book for so long and am really glad to have finally made Jane Eyre's acquaintance. ...more

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Mar 26, 2008 Rae rated it liked it

Shelves: classics

When I was in high school, this book would have been rated off the charts. I lived and breathed it. But reading Jane Eyre as an adult was a different matter. It is so dark and I found myself quite repulsed by the unhealthy relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester. Such misogyny these older classics contain...definitely a reflection of their times.

Having said that, though, there is much to enjoy in the story. The themes of change, repentance, and the search for happiness. The contrasts of ligh ...more

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Nov 29, 2010 Beverli rated it it was amazing

Love this book!

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Apr 13, 2009 Alison rated it really liked it

Shelves: bookclub-reads, books-in-2009

I really liked this book, though it was a bit slow at the beginning.... probably one of my favorite classic romances, (after pride and prejudice, of course). I couldn't put the book down at the end, just waiting for Jane to reunite with Mr. Rochester... sigh... ...more

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