From the Bookshelf of 50 books to read before you die…

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë

Start date: April 1, 2021

Finish date: June 30, 2021

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Jul 17, 2011 Niamh G rated it it was amazing

This has got to be my overall favourite book. I love many books for many different reasons, but there is none quite like this.
When I first read this book, I felt really rather alone in the world. I am plain, with no outstanding talents, and not particularly popular, not having a great deal of friends I can rely on. This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for ages waiting to be read and I was really reluctant, because though I vaguely knew the story and liked the film, I wasn't looking forwar This has got to be my overall favourite book. I love many books for many different reasons, but there is none quite like this.
When I first read this book, I felt really rather alone in the world. I am plain, with no outstanding talents, and not particularly popular, not having a great deal of friends I can rely on. This book had been sitting on my bookshelf for ages waiting to be read and I was really reluctant, because though I vaguely knew the story and liked the film, I wasn't looking forward to having to read it. Little did I know that I would open it to the first page and be completely hooked from then on in.
I have never read a book that makes me feel the way this one does. When I read this book, I know I am not alone in the world. Jane Eyre is 'poor, obscure, plain and little' in her own words, she is not particularly pretty on the outside and she does not see herself to have any talents. In the book, we see her mature and grow in a friendship (and an eventual romance) with Mr Rochester, who becomes her entire world. She is independent, standing on her own two feet, not letting anyone knock her down. And by the end of the book, I found her to be the most beautiful character I had ever beheld. This was similar to the character of Edward Rochester, who was first portrayed as moody, cruel, and lacking in many things including kindness, manners and looks. Yet, throughout the story he gradually becomes the most beautiful and lovable male protagonist I have ever seen. Even more so, I believe, than Mr Darcy.
This book taught me to have confidence in myself, to not let anyone tell me what I could and could not do or be, because only I could decide that. It taught me that as plain as I may be, I do have talents, I am worthy of love and some day someone will love me in the way that Edward Rochester loves Jane Eyre.
I have never seen such a sincere and beautiful representation of love in any other novel, and I don't believe I will ever be able to find one.
Since reading this for the first time, I have re-read it over and over and over, never growing tired of it. It is the most beautiful book I have ever read and if you have not read it, I thoroughly recommend it! ...more

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