Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
642 pages (actual story was more like 527 pages, or thereabouts)
First published in 1847
I read the lovely Penguin edition pictured above, which I bought because it’s so darn purty
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This is one of those classics that I actually enjoyed reading. I know, it’s a shocker…but really, I do have some good luck mixed in with the bad. I think the most surprising thing about Jane Eyre (because I already knew about the secret in the attic) was that for a 500 plus page book, it was a fairly quick read.
It’s hard not to read Jane Eyre and compare it to Wuthering Heights, because there’s that whole sister thing. And the thwarted love. Not to mention lovesick people wandering around on the moors. But while I thought WH was pretty much a farce, Jane Eyre actually had its believable moments. Plus, compared to those whiny-assed Catherines, Jane actually (with a few notable exceptions) had some spunk. And while Rochester isn’t my idea of the ideal man, when put up against Heathcliff he’s practically People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive. So, in my opinion, Jane Eyre rocks compared to WH. WH is all teenage angst…Jane Eyre, for all that she is only 18, is much more mature.
I do, however, have a few howevers.
However the first. What was up with Jane and St. John? The man was a total prick (again, in my opinion), and she’s all “Give up studying German so I can help you with Hindustanee, you self-serving bastard? Okay!” I was seriously worried she was going to marry the asshole.
Which leads me to the however the second. What was up with all that “my master” shit at the end?!? Jane marries the man of her dreams (and occasional nightmare), and suddenly all she can talk about is “my master.” It’s like suddenly it’s a Dom/Sub relationship, which isn’t really jiving with my mental picture of Quakerish, outspoken Jane.
Finally, my however the third. And this is just me, because as I mentioned, I already knew about the secret in the attic. Which makes me wonder what reading this book would be like when Bertha is a surprise to the reader. It’s hard to go into a classic without knowing the general premise, because they’ve become so much a part of our culture. But I’d be willing to bet that if read in the 1800’s, both Bertha and opinionated Jane would’ve made for one hell of a read. I’m a bit bummed I’ll never get to have that experience. But then I remember how much I love modern plumbing and I think maybe I got the better end of the deal.
I’ve not read this one yet. I bought a nice copy, I downloaded a free copy for my Kindle and I still haven’t read it. I read the first 20 pages and got bored with it. I know it’s one of those books that you just need to read, but why?
Ti´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon- Rainy and Gloomy but Hey- I’m not Working
I had no idea the book is that thick. I’ve never read it but hope to before the year’s out.
Yay! So glad you liked this one! I don’t read as many classics as I feel I ought to, but I read this one a few years ago and I really enjoyed it a lot. I was scared it would be rather slow, but I found it pretty fast-paced with lots of action. Totally agree about St John though. What a dick.
This is one of my favourite classics just because Jane is spirited (in a quiet way) and can think for herself. And I love the gorgeous edition you have. I’m so tempted to just go out and collect them all:) I’m really looking forward to the new film adaptation which have had some pretty positive reviews.
sakura´s last [type] ..A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
I actually didn’t know anything about this book before I started so each little part was a new surprise for me. I’m glad you mostly liked this one. I admit, I think Rochester belongs in the Sexiest Man Alive category even NOT compared to Heathcliff.
Yay for plumbing! …indoor, that is…
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon – Report on Tucson Festival of Books March 12-13- 2011
I had to read this for the first time during Freshman year of college, and I remember my ultra-liberal, feminist roommate DESPISING it, mostly because the secret in the attic. Ha, it’s making me chuckle now, thinking about my naive little Southern self suddenly living with a Yankee liberal feminist, but we’re still BFF so I guess it worked out.
Kari´s last [type] ..In which I come back on bended knee
Even I knew about the lady in the attic before I read it…so that was a bit of a bummer. And I could not STAND st. John.MHD was truly awful. Glad you found a classic that didn’t suck!
Jenners´s last [type] ..List- Random Thoughts From This Past Week
I was lucky enough that the Bertha bit was a surprise for me! I do run across the problem of knowing too much about the plot quite often though when I read classics. It’s frustrating.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Indie Lit Awards 2011
I don’t AGREE with St John, but he DiD at least stay true to himself, and I respected him for that. Did he get a bit overexcited and a bit presumptuous? Sure. But I think he meant well. Actually I think a book from St Johns perspective would be kinda awesome.
Jason Gignac´s last [type] ..Familiarity and Contempt What Was She Thinking by Zoe Heller
Glad you liked this book! I really want to reread this at some point, but at the moment, I love seeing it on so many blogs!
Aths´s last [type] ..Yet another Monday! March 21- 2011
I read this years ago, and once was enough, although I do share your opinion of it as compared to Wuthering Heights. And I don’t really get the appeal of Rochester myself, but yeah, if the standard is “relative to Heathcliff,” he definitely wins.
Florinda´s last [type] ..Weekly Geeks 10 Things- plus Top 10 Book-Blogging Things!
I read Jane Eyre in high school just because I wanted to (because I was silly) and fell in love with it. I totally agree with the comparison to Wuthering Heights and, yes, St. John was a real prick and I was nervous for Jane too. Glad you liked it, however many howevers you have
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..State of Ohio Quiz
The crazy lady was a total shock to me. I was like, holy crap there is a crazy lady in the attic? You’ve got to be kidding me! And she’s his wife? This book is awesome
Amused´s last [type] ..Mid Life Crisis!
You deserve to enjoy a classic after the ordeal you’ve just been through! Just love those Penguin editions, too.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday- Stratford-Upon-Avon
Your reactions to this book were spot on and absolutely the same as mine. I hated St. John and felt like he was just so self serving, and was so worried that Jane would marry him! I also knew about the woman in the attic way before I ever read this, and had been wondering about how powerful this book would have been if I hadn’t known that. I wish that had been the case. I also didn’t like the change of heart towards the end when Jane goes all limp with Rochester and calls him her master. I was thinking WTF, Jane!??! Haven’t we already moved past this? But I did so incredibly enjoy the book, and am waiting so eagerly to see the movie! Fantastic review, Jill!
This is still one of my favorite books. I do agree though that it would be great to be able to read it not knowing anything at all about the story going in.
Darlene´s last [type] ..Guest Post with CJ Darlington- author of Bound by Guilt & Giveaway
I read this in fourth grade and it was a hell of read not knowing about Bertha and being too young to be turned off by the “my master” stuff. I never did like the St. John part of the book, but Jane Eyre remains a favorite of mine. Did you read Wide Saragossa Sea? I know that some bloggers have criticized it, but when I read it in the 80s, I really liked it.
I am totalyl with you on however 1 and 3. It would have been so good to have no warning of Bertha before reading it. However 2 I can deal with because of the historical context
Becky (Page Turners)´s last [type] ..The Virago Book of Ghost Stories ed Richard Dalby
See it always surprises me when people finish this and complain about how pliant Jane was–I got spunky out of her, too. I think the whole “my master” thing at the end would be somewhat akin to me saying that about my husband. Because my master he is not! When I first read this I had no idea about Bertha and it was great! But I don’t think I was old enough then to quite appreciate exactly what Bertha being there was all about.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Villette Readalong This Week A Letter To Charlotte Bronte
Okay, I only read the beginning of the review because I haven’t read Jane Eyre and because I don’t know all the secrets (including the one in the attic… which, amazingly, Villette also has a secret in the attic. Hmmm…). I am enjoying Bronte right now — so I have JE on the list!
Wallace´s last [type] ..What I Watch When I’m Not Reading
I am so relieved to finally find a Wuthering Heights vs. Jane Eyre soulmate. WH was really a wallbanger, in my humble opinion. Love your review! Your version of the book is lovely. I, too, have a particular fondness for indoor plumbing.
Bookfool, aka Nancy´s last [type] ..Fiona Friday – We dont quite fit but were happy
I did manage to read this one knowing only that Jane grew up poor and that there was a love story between Jane and her employer, Mr. Rochester. That’s all I knew. So, Bertha was a surprise to me, and quite a surprising surprise at that. I’m with you on the St. John and my master stuff. Overall, though, I liked the book and Jane so much that I mostly forgot about all the things that bugged me! I love this edition…I must acquire it.
Erin´s last [type] ..My Week in Books- March 20-26
I’m planning on reading this too. It wasn’t something that I read in high school – maybe it is a CA thing since I am from CA too. Even though I do most of the so called secrets of the stories, I am excited to finally dig in to a book that so many of my dear friends have loved.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..Spring Break Reading List
As a kid, I read an abridged version of Jane Eyre (not for school — for fun), and so there won’t be any real surprises for me when I get around to rereading it. And, I really want to! Same for Wuthering Heights.
Love the HOWEVERs!
Wouldn’t a cool invention be for the future that we could erase the things we know in a book before we read it so that the experience could be totally fresh?
and I have a request: Could you please read Tess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy in the next few weeks because our book club just selected it and I always love YOUR takes on these classics. Purty please?! oh, maybe I should go check your backlist to see if you already have read this…
Care´s last [type] ..Forgot About PI Day!
‘erase the things IN OUR HEAD that we know before we read a classic’… oh y’all know what I meant, right?
Care´s last [type] ..Forgot About PI Day!