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    Jane Eyre: Featuring an introduction by Margot Livesey
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    Jane Eyre: Featuring an introduction by Margot Livesey
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    Jane Eyre: Featuring an introduction by Margot Livesey
    Ebook714 pages9 hours

    Jane Eyre: Featuring an introduction by Margot Livesey

    By Charlotte Brontë

    4.5/5

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    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    A PBS Great American Read Top 100 Pick

    Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece of gothic romance—an epic and intimate narrative of love, tragedy, and one woman’s struggle to find happiness in the face of overwhelming hardship

    Jane Eyre follows a timeless heroine’s quest to find her place in the world. Orphaned as a child, Jane Eyre suffers cruelty and abuse at the hands of her aunt and cousins. Banished to the Lowood school, she forges a path for herself and thrives—in spite of loneliness, poverty, and hunger. When the opportunity for work as a governess sends her to Thornfield Hall, she meets its owner, Edward Rochester, the man who will forever alter the course of her young life. At home for the first time, she begins to fall deeply, irrevocably in love with Mr. Rochester, nurtured by his near-spiritual adoration. But the manor is rife with mysteries, and one, bound to the attic of Thornfield, will threaten Jane’s hard-won happiness in ways she had never imagined.

    A tale of fire, storms, and dark secrets, Jane Eyre has endured as an enthrallingly timeless classic.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateMar 27, 2012
    ISBN9780062213006
    Unavailable
    Jane Eyre: Featuring an introduction by Margot Livesey
    Author

    Charlotte Brontë

    Charlotte Brontë, born in 1816, was an English novelist and poet, the eldest of the three Brontë sisters, and one of the nineteenth century's greatest novelists. She is the author of Villette, The Professor, several collections of poetry, and Jane Eyre, one of English literature's most beloved classics. She died in 1855.

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    Reviews for Jane Eyre

    4.5/5

    375 ratings392 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The Illustrated Jane Eyre, with illustrations by Dame DarcyI first read Jane Eyre for my 10th grade English class. We had a choice between Brontë's famous novel and When the Legends Die by Hal Borland. Most students chose the latter, being quite a bit shorter than Jane Eyre. I read both. Yes, I really was that big of a book geek, even then. I remember reading Jane Eyre outside in the back field and absolutely loving it. Recently, I've been looking for a nice copy of the novel, and unexpectedly came across this edition at my favorite comic store.The illustrations by Dame Darcy (probably best known for her comic book series, Meatcake) are rather Gothic in style; most are black and white ink drawings, although there are a handful of full-page color prints, as well. I actually preferred the ink drawings, especially the full-page ones, although the smaller illustrations sprinkled throughout the text were delightful to stumble upon. My only complaint is that, at times, they could have been better placed in order to coincide with the story-line.Jane Eyre is a willful and passionate young girl; orphaned, she unhappily lives with her Aunt and cousins. She is sent to Lowood School, were she remains first as a student, and then as teacher for eight years. Eventually, she hires herself out as a governess, gaining her own independence to some extent. Her new employer, Mr. Rochester, is used to having things his way and is quite taken by Jane. She unexpectedly finds herself becoming rather enamored of him even though he is quite wealthy, decidedly not handsome, and much older than she is. Only, he's keeping a dark secret from his past from her, one that will change everything should she discover it.I was not disappointed with the re-read, even if I did know how everything turns out. I absolutely loved the interactions between Jane and Mr. Rochester; she can be rather sassy at times, and he knows how to take it. Tragically romantic, Jane Eyre is among my favorite books.Experiments in Reading
    • 4/5
      I’ve never read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë before, because it wasn’t on our reading lists at school or university, but I must say that, although pious, it’s quite an enjoyable and insightful read. I especially liked that Jane Eyre is still a relatable character in some ways today, though she is tenacious and passionate, she is also kind and intelligent. Few well-rounded female characters like Jane Eyre exist today, which is a shame, considering that human beings are more than just good or just bad. There are numerous other facets to the human psyche, which Charlotte Brontë was able to project into her writing, which makes Jane more than just another literary character. I also felt quite deeply for Mr. Rochester, who so beautifully complimented Jane’s personality, especially when he became passionate and called her: “Sprite! Witch! Elf!” and other, equally silly nicknames. He might not have been incredibly handsome, like every male protagonist is in every single coming-of-age novel these days, but his flaws gave him depth and made him memorable.

      Though, at times, the narrative was sometimes littered with religious babble, it’s imperative to the story and to the time. Not many readers would especially enjoy the biblical context (or at times the submissiveness of female characters), but Jane Eyre carries a lot of weight in regards to the evolution of literature. In other words, it’s a must-read novel if one is to have a well-rounded and rich literary knowledge. Funnily enough, Brontë does hint at fantasy at times with the way Jane sees the world. Fairies, sprites, magical beings, and ghosts are mentioned within the novel too …

      Themes that are present in the book include: love vs. autonomy, religion, social class, and gender relations.

      Jane Eyre might not be as popular lately, due to the increase of paranormal romances, but it’s definitely a book you have to read at least once in your life. Readers who enjoy coming-of-age novels, in general, will love Jane Eyre. Though, not exactly similar, I’m sure that fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass will also take great pleasure from Brontë’s most popular novel.
    • 4/5
      What can I say, I love Jane, she is such a strong and likeable heroine. Not one to shy away from adversity, and I think an introvert at heart given that she doesn't like to draw unnecessary attention her way. The story was a bit slow at the start. Is it just me or does anyone else think that Jane's childhood at Gateshead Hall and her time spent at Lowood School has a rather Dickensian atmosphere to it? It was when the scene shifted to Thornfield that I really became engrossed with the story. The interplay between Jane and Rochester is captivating! The drama. The intensity. Just perfect. I loved their intellectual conversations and the way the two would engage in word play, dancing around the elephant in the room. Readers who have read this one may understand where I am coming from when I say that my love for the story tends to ebb and flow: parts were riveting and other parts were... good, if a bit slow and sometimes a tad clichéd. The story has some really great scenes of high drama - loved those bits! - but some of the plot resolutions are a little too perfect and a bit too convenient. That being said, if I had read this one in my youth, like I did Wuthering Heights and other stories, I don't think I would have appreciated it to the level that I do reading it now, so chalking this up as being a worthy read and one that I am glad I finally got around to reading.
    • 5/5
      I taught this book as a high school sophomore to my English class; my usually-very-hip instructor refused to teach anything by "those damn Bronte sisters." I taught from the Cliff notes, the Monarch notes and my own head; we watched the 1944 movie with Orson Welles as Rochester and Joan Fontaine as Jane.
    • 4/5
      I decided to give the new Serial Reader app a try. If you don't know about it, it is a free app for your phone that each day sends you a small section of a book, one that you can read in 10-15 minutes. Each day you get sent the next installment. For my first book, I decided to read Jane Eyre. I have never read this before, but I know a lot of people love it.

      The basic story is really interesting. I liked the beginning part, when Jane is still a child. Stories about children in boarding school always fascinate me, and Jane is sent to a horrible school. Her life is so tragic, and still she manages to stay true to her self. I like how strong Jane is, and how she sticks to her moral code.

      The writing style was a bit overdone for my taste, but I think this is a common style from the time that the story was written. There is much moralizing and preaching, and at times it felt like it went on way too long. I did not find Mr. Rochester to be a very likable character. The way he tries to trick Jane and lie to her felt inexcusable to me. But I know Jane is in love with him, and is willing to forgive him. I think the lesson I learned from this is the heart wants what the heart wants, and in the end it can not be denied.
    • 4/5
      This one took awhile as an audio book. I finally brought it into work to finish it. The reader did a fantastic job with emotion of each of the characters. Very enjoyable.
    • 5/5
      Jane Eyre, is one of the classics that I’ve been meaning to read for ages, but it took a pretty cover to (finally) buy it, and a hangover to start reading it. Jane Eyre is indeed the story of Jane, from her miserable childhood, through her slightly less miserable adolescence and to her adulthood. Orphan of both parents, she lives with her aunt and cousins, but it is a life without affection. When she is sent to a school far from home she believes that her conditions can only improve, but it isn't without trouble that she finishes her education and is ready to seek employment.This story was not new to me, but I had only watched the TV series, and some time ago, so the details were a bit hazy. I knew there would be a happy ending, but then, there always is (I had quite forgotten everything else about the ending). I was actually expecting a lot more drama in the beginning (I think I got the order of some events wrong), so the more I read, the more I dreaded what was (I thought) sure to come.There is a very strong Beauty and the Beast feel to it. Yes, I know both the love birds are as ugly as they come, making it Beast and the Beast, but to me it is about their personalities. Jane very nice and proper (even if a little blunt), Mr. Rochester quite the devil (and drama queen), teasing and insulting. I liked Mr. Rochester’s wild personality, even if sometimes it is a bit too flamboyant. Jane’s uptightness got to my nerves sometimes, but I liked her bluntness and honesty. But most of all, it was the bickering between these too: the intelligent semi-arguments were really fun to read.My biggest problem with the classics (and I say problem is the very loosest of senses) is that I have to adapt to the values of the times when they were written. It is most likely that a modern day Jane would take the easier route, by running away WITH her beloved and not running away FROM him (I know I would, along with taking more conventional measures to deal with the problem in the attic). That made some parts in the book a bit harder to enjoy (or should I say, not to scream at the characters), but that choice was also in tune with the character's personality and way of being.But to me, the strongest point of this book is how it is written. The use of the first person takes away the distance I could have felt due to Jane’s personality. And the descriptions are absolutely vivid. I was constantly lost on 19th century England, taking walks through the moors, sitting by the fireplace, studying people… Making the drama all the more, well, dramatic, because it felt like it was happening to me.I really liked this book, even though it took me quite awhile to finish. It's very well written, and it's not only about romance, it portrays a society that is slightly different from ours - one that not so long ago was the norm. The down side was that there was a bit more drama that I felt was necessary, and all the religious babble, that started to really get on my nerves by the end of the book (courtesy of a late comer character). Still, it definitely deserves it's place among the classics.Also at Spoilers and Nuts
    • 2/5
      I don't understand why this book is considered to be a classic-- not at all.
    • 3/5
      I'm an old guy. Not so old that I could have dated the author in high school (she was a couple years ahead of me), but still, not exactly the prime audience for this book. So, maybe I should skip a review altogether. And maybe I should add my two-cents for those other old guys out there thinking of reading the book. This is supposed to be a romantic novel, right? A listing I just saw an online poll that says this is the third most popular classic book ever. On the other hand, my ebook reader system doesn't categorize it as "Book", but under "Kids". Why? Because the lead character starts out as a child and ends up as barely an adult? Let me ignore all that and just say I don't think this is a romance. I think it's a book about "What is love?" Plus, it's also about 350 pages too long, attaching the equivalent of a ten page lyric poem to pretty much every look out the window or walk outside. It's also very hung up on "plain" appearances, though that is one aspect of how it assesses what love is. "Is it possible to truly love a plain person?" "Does a plain person deserve love?" ("Can plain people find love and happiness just like regular folks?") Coincidentally, the author makes it easier to conclude an answer to that question by manipulating the narrative to provide a person who can't actually see the plain appearance. It should be mentioned that education and having "culture" is also thrown into the mix. Thankfully, the author seems to relent and conclude that beauty and culture are not absolute requirements for bliss, but nevertheless provide a higher standard of love, so don't pass them up if you can get them. Finally, I want to make a point about the many movies and television shows that have been made about this book and how -- I think -- they have distorted our view of the actual text of the book. For instance, I watched a video summarizing which actor played the best "Rochester". The conclusion was unquestionably, the handsome former James Bond actor, Timothy Dalton. I ask, did anyone even read the book's description of Rochester? There were other videos that compared multiple film versions of one of the first "proposal" scene. While I only viewed about six of the roughly dozen filmed versions available to me, not one of them had the right setting, the means by which the characters come together for the scene, the dialogue, and/or the reactions of the characters to the proposal discussion, as it was set in the actual book. I also watched the very start to about five films. All but two left out the entire first third of the book, with only one starting with the initial scene that sets the tone. My point isn't that a movie must be faithful to a book. My point is that I strongly suspect that what some people remember so fondly in the book was never there to begin with, and that the book simply does not measure up to the films that may be in peoples' minds.
    • 5/5
      It took me a long time to read the book that I thought I had read in my youth but hadn't. I liked the strength of character of Jane Eyre, her firm and unwavering resolve but not the inflexible, inhuman resolve of of St John Rivers. Principles before emotional waywardness to the level illustrated in Jane Eyre goes beyond modern standards. Oh come on, Jane, I felt at certain times, chill out and marry Rochester after what he's been through. The ending was bleak and a bit far-fetched.I thought the book was brilliant though and am really pleased that I have now read it.
    • 4/5
      (Original Review, 1981-01-31)Ever since my first reading of Jane Eyre I've always viewed it as an account of the indelible effects of emotional abuse, and as such, a very grim book indeed. The novel opens with a recall of the emotional deprivation the 8-year-old Jane receives daily at the hands of her aunt. The story then continues with Jane's time at Lowood School, an institution devoted not so much to teaching the children of paupers, as to teaching them their place in life.By the time she reaches adulthood Jane is really quite damaged, and she regards herself as a social inferior. This self-image is never really challenged, much less altered or dispelled. The many reviews that praise Jane's undoubted courage unfortunately gloss over this or omit it completely, giving a misleading impression. It is apparent that Jane never ever overcomes the effects of her ghastly childhood. Remember, she is only able to accept Rochester after he had been brought down in the world by the loss of his home and fortune, and his disablement. And while she does, in the end, reject St John, the reader should note how close she comes to succumbing to this emotionally remote, manipulative, hypocritical bully.To my mind, the most astounding thing in Jane Eyre is Charlotte's implicit (explicit?) criticism of the saintly St. John Rivers. He's supposed to be a man of God, as beautiful as an angel, but with a will of iron and a heart of stone. The way he bullies Jane, using his power as a man and as a servant of God to try to force her to submit to him against her will, is horrific. It's as if he sees an independent woman as a threat which he has to destroy.Where did this terrifying character come from? Imagination, or did Charlotte perhaps know someone like him?I think it's Jane's raw, violent, unexamined sexuality. Having never really had much in the way of human warmth, guidance, or emotional education, Jane is quite literally wild. She seeks sensuality like a starving beast and has an almost animal understanding of what constitutes a connection between two human beings. Jane probably doesn't even know what sex is, yet she burns with desire. Rochester - depraved, debauched, debilitated by vice and excesses- sees this in her and in the purity of her passion, he is able to cleanse himself and transcend his baser instincts. I completely buy their relationship, and while it is, objectively, very iffy by today's standards (the gap in age, experience, social status! the mad wife in the attic! the illegitimate child!), it is also completely, viscerally believable. Jane Eyre still shows that lust within love should still be the (moral) goal. She actually effectively teaches Rochester this, as someone barely half his age. She teaches him some morals.For me, the novel’s strength lies in vivid writing that brings the people and the scenes to life, whether or not one likes them, or approves. The style isn’t always to my taste (I don’t care for the 19th Century habit of addressing the reader) but is compelling in a way that is the hallmark of a great writer.Maybe a modern politically-correct world that is obsessed with conformity no longer recognises this kind of gift.The inherent craft of a storyteller is to use invention to more clearly express essential truths of ideas, emotions, impressions and events. Sometimes fiction contains more truth than a fact. What else can a reader expect from a group of authors other than some uncertainty between what's real and what's not?
    • 5/5
      Very much how I remembered. A great book that can be read over and over. St. John was even worse than I remembered. He really pressured Jane.
    • 3/5
      A girl with no friends falls in love with the first single man she meets.2.5/4 (Okay).I really wanted to like Jane. But Rochester is so relentlessly awful, I found it impossible to sympathize with someone who's obsessed with him.
    • 3/5
      I read this book after reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde so that I could understand what was going on in that book. I know Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen are not my kind of literature and this proved it. The beginning of the book, where Jane suffers so much in her aunt's house was dull and it only picked up when she went to a school for the poor. After she acquires a position as a private governess, she falls in love with the head of the household. This part was not realistic for me and became less so as the book progressed. Aren't there any charismatic men in the 19th century?! Nevertheless, Jane Eyre is beautifully written. Charlotte Bronte was definitely a master (mistress?) of the craft of writing. The ending? Well I will leave that for those who have also read Fforde's The Eyre Affair to argue about.
    • 4/5
      young girl self determined, governess, survives
    • 3/5
      Orphan Jane Eyre's life from mistreatment at her aunt's house, education at a charity school, first job at Thornfield Hall, and the mess that follows when she falls in love with already married Mr. Rochester. I enjoyed the story reasonably, but I've seen film versions so no surprises. None of the characters are really all that interesting (the "baddies" are quite generically bad rather than multi-dimensional) and the book has long passages of ponderings that, I think, are meant to be profound, but are really just an exercise in circumlocution. Gothic fiction can be a bit hit and miss for me, and I'm putting this in the miss pile, unfortunately.
    • 5/5
      Susan Ericksen was an excellent narrator. I loved listening to her read! I first read Jane Eyre three years ago and it was so good to revisit this wonderful book.
    • 3/5
      There are going to be a lot of people who will disagree or even hate me for this statement but I really didn't think much of this book. I know its a classic and I know its often considered one of the best novels of its time, if not all time and maybe these were the reasons I found it dissapointing. I felt indifferent to the characters and although the ending is supposedly sweepingly romantic, it didn't really affect me.I think perhaps its just personal taste as to why I didn't really warm to this novel like so many others have. I can't fault it for any technical reasons nor can I deny that its extremely well written and a great accomplishment. For me, it lacked a certain something. I also found it slightly tedious and tiring. Perhaps this is because I took so long to get through it that I just became bored with it. Had I read it under different circumstances such as continuously over a couple of days, maybe I would have had a different opinion of it. As it was, I had to read snatches over it - often no more than twenty minutes at a time - occasionally whenever I could find the time. I'm reluctant to say that I didn't like it but the truth is, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who asked me for a good book to read simply because often reading it felt like a chore - something I HAD to do rather than WANTED to do.
    • 4/5
      Jane Eyre is the story of an orphan girl and the difficult life choices she must face. It centers around an intriguing love affair with her master, Mr. Rochester. The pace of the book is perfect; just when you begin to settle into the story, it takes an unexpected turn. These sudden twists continue to the very end.
    • 4/5
      Now I know why this is a classic. I've never been so fascinated with the mundane life struggles a single woman could face in 19th century England. It held me enthralled throughout and I eagerly anticipated each turn of the plot.
    • 3/5
      I know that 2.5 stars may seem a little severe for a book that has a guaranteed place on those annual lists of Britain's top reads - however a) that coveted place is only achieved as it happens to be a set text for many GCSE pupils (Of Mice and Men and To Kill a Mocking Bird end up on the list for the same reason) and b) Jane Eyre is one of the most maddeningly, annoyingly, ridiculously perfect, goody-two-shoes, downtrodden characters ever written. I couldn't stand her. Not when I was thirteen and not now. Just about everyone in the story is two-dimensional. Jane's family are fairy-tale appalling, Mr Rochester is the archetypal mysterious, brooding man who women love to fear and harbour dreams of taming and there is even a monster in the attic, so to speak. All the ingredients are there for a winning story.... if only Jane were not so Snow White, I would be able to countenance that this is indeed a novel for adults...
    • 4/5
      I liked Jane for 3/4 of this book and then she took a turn on me; look, I'm just as enamoured with Mr. Rochester but seriously, Mrs. Jane Rochester? What have you become Jane? After all that time? What did you learn?
    • 5/5
      Loved this classic.
    • 3/5
      I read this one before, but I understood and appreciated it more this time around. I decided to pick it up again after reading Jasper Ffojde's The Eyre Affair to fill in the missing pieces.
    • 5/5
      I love this book. I've read it over and over--and enjoyed it every time. The dark atmosphere is so delightful. :^)
    • 4/5
      An orphan suffers through Gothic beatings, meets the love of her life, loses him (because she can't run away with and live with a married man), suffers some more and then finds him again. She endures. Is it any wonder this book still sells?
    • 5/5
      Jane Eyre was the first book I read on graduating to the Young Adult section of the library at the age of 13. I have re-read it every 2 or 3 years since then-and I'm 81. My favorite novel of all time. When I was young, I read it for the pathos of a young orphan but as I grew older I realized the depth of feeling and intellect which informs the book. Into the 70s when I discovered that young people saw it as a great feminist model--and so it is. Every time I read it I find something else to ponder. Ranks right up there with the best of Jane Austen. One of the highlights of my last trip to England was a visit to Haworth and the moors of Yorkshire.
    • 4/5
      The story is a classic... I had read it several times. Is not the classical female heroine but is a story that shows that good persons by the end ended up having good things... Also it shows characters that are conflicted, that are not perfect and have to get through adversity. Is a pretty good book and I will recommend the book to any persons that wants to read the classics.
    • 5/5
      So, this isn't going to be a very impartial review. Jane Eyre has been my favorite book since I was thirteen. The only criticism would be maybe the ending? Things get pretty well tied up with a bow, but that may be just a marker of the time period/genre. I find Jane to be a very likable and sympathetic character and Charlotte to be a great story-teller. That being said if you aren't that into classics as a genre you might not be such a fan. If you do enjoy classics and especially gothic novels you can't go wrong.
    • 4/5
      One of my favorite classics. The beginning is kind of slow, so I tend to skim the early chapters. The good parts for me start when Jane has begun working for Mr. Rochester and begins hearing strange noises from the attic. There's an element of suspense, but there's also a love story here. It's also a character study, so there's a little bit of everything for every taste. I don't really like the end, or more specifically, events leading up to the end, but there's something about it all that keeps me coming back.