From the Bookshelf of Reading the Classics…

Jane Eyre

Charlotte Brontë

Start date: September 1, 2013

Finish date: September 30, 2013

Discussion: Past Group Reads

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Past Group Reads

* Washington Square - Reading Schedule
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last updated May 08, 2021 11:27AM

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What Members Thought

Nov 20, 2009 Alisha Marie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-own-that-i-ve-read, read-in-2015, favorites, classics, classics-challenge, five-star-books

Oh, what to write about Jane Eyre?

Classics always intimidate me. I don't know if its the language or the somewhat differing ideals that I tend to think that a classic book will have that will create a disconnect between me and the characters from the get-go. Or maybe it's because I always fear that classic books will go above my head (I clearly need to give myself at least a bit more credit) and that I won't appreciate what an "old" book has to offer. I was an idiot because, guys, I appreciated Oh, what to write about Jane Eyre?

Classics always intimidate me. I don't know if its the language or the somewhat differing ideals that I tend to think that a classic book will have that will create a disconnect between me and the characters from the get-go. Or maybe it's because I always fear that classic books will go above my head (I clearly need to give myself at least a bit more credit) and that I won't appreciate what an "old" book has to offer. I was an idiot because, guys, I appreciated the hell out of Jane Eyre!

I freaking loved this book! And yes, sometimes it didn't move as fast as I usually like my reads to go (which is why I tend to read a classic along side a more modern book), but this just made me appreciate Jane Eyre all the more because I actually had the opportunity to take in the language and Bronte...does wonderful things with words. And then, after a while, I realized that I wasn't picking up any more modern books to read alongside Jane because Jane was starting to captivate me all her own. And I didn't want to be parted from this world and disrespect it by going to another one, so I stopped reading my modern books and kept reading Jane Eyre until I finished it. And now, the book is over and I am sad because I won't get to read this book for the first time. I'll re-read it countless times but there's always something about your first.

Anyways, yes, gorgeous words that promote gorgeous writing is all well and good, but I appreciated Jane Eyre for its wonderful characters, mainly Jane herself. I LOVED Jane! In fact, my favorite Jane is actually young, school-girl Jane just cause she was so feisty for her age and was slightly more outward in her feelings than older Jane. I was just so endeared to young Jane. Older Jane was still feisty and therefore, all sorts of awesome. Nothing pleases me more than a headstrong, slightly stubborn woman in literature and due to this, I was never bored by Jane. And I don't know if I was supposed to find her funny, but I did. She's always great for a chuckle. Case in point, where Mr. Rochester alluded in song to his future wife dying with him and Jane was all, "Well, I guess I'm not going to be that wife because that ain't happening. I'm dying when I damn well please, with or without you" or something along those lines that's better written. Yeah, so lots of love for plain ol' Jane.

Mr. Rochester, oh my God, Mr. Rochester! Okay, this guy had some genuinely dickish moments. I admit this. He was self-righteous and kind of a prick a lot of the time and if he was a character in a "modern" book, I would hate him to little pieces. But he wasn't so Mr. Rochester made me swoon...a lot. Seriously, I lost count of the times I fanned myself while reading about the way he loved Jane and calling her his little changeling or elf (as a short person the latter should really bother me, but guys, it was Mr. Rochester, so...) and a-swoon, I went. I wanted to have him refer to me as such, so that I could have a chance to say "Mr. Rochester, my delicate sensibilities..." (which would be a lie because I have none, but...). Seriously, I think only Bronte can get me that invested in a fictional romance to the point where I was fanning myself because of the passion. And while I find the romance to be secondary in my enjoyment of the novel, it is still up there with Jane and her general badassery and awesomeness.

So, overall, I loved and adored Jane Eyre. It was such a great read and I actually think I'll re-read it again this year (I'll probably listen to the audio this time, though). It has definitely made its way into my favorites and a novel that I'll buy again in a pretty, hardcover design. And now, I commence to Youtube to find TV/film renditions of Jane Eyre, even though I'm sure they'll aggravate (I'm already 10 minutes into the BBC one and I'm already grumbling about the rush act they seem to be pulling with Young Jane...seriously don't rush my favorite Jane). ...more

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Nov 23, 2009 Becky R. rated it it was amazing

Always a beautiful story, full of character development and honest reflections of the time. Such a great classic.

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Apr 18, 2011 Carl rated it really liked it

Better than Pride and Prejudice, not as good as Great Expectations. A better romance than P&P in that it shows the grungier side of the era. I had no idea about the crazy lady reveal. Bronte tells a moving love story and adds in an element of the macabre. Pretty cool book.

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