Title: Jane Eyre
Author: Charlotte Brontë
Source: library
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review Summary: The plot was a little boring and unbelievable but the writing was so gorgeous I didn’t even mind!
Today I’m going to be sharing with you the goodreads summary of the book because I think it does a great job explaining not just the action of the plot, but the character development that is the most exciting part of the story. Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman’s passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.
I’ve been having a hard time writing this review because I basically like this book for the same reason I like nearly all the classics I’ve read. I like the older style of writing, which always strikes me as more beautiful and formal than much of today’s writing, without becoming stiff. The observations on human nature are definitely there, keeping the book relevant. And I love Jane’s character. With her passion and desire to be happy, she’s much more a protagonist for today than many other heroines in older books.
Unlike some other classics, Jane Eyre didn’t have much else going for it. The plot was kind of boring, with not much action and a lot of coincidences necessary to make things work out. Some of the plot points strike me as unbelievable, especially the rare gothic or even supernatural elements. I also found Jane and Mr. Rocheter’s interactions often stretched my belief. While a lot of their flirting was witty and enjoyable in an almost Shakespearean fashion, at other times they seemed to be downright cruel to one another. Then they forgive each other everything. For me, the writing was enough to forgive all these flaws. If I sat back and analyzed, I wasn’t impressed with the plot, but most of the time, I just enjoyed reading it.
Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader
I read this once so long ago that I don’t remember much. It’s on my Classics Club list though, and I am looking forward to rereading it 🙂
DoingDewey
I really just enjoy the writing style of pretty much all the classics. So beautiful! I hope you end up liking it as well 🙂
Geoff W
I’m with you, I think a lot of the beauty in the Classics is their language and formality. It’s a fine line though as some authors just make it exhausting to read their works (Russians for example) and others do it beautifully.
DoingDewey
Haha, I actually just had a conversation with some friends about Tolstoy’s wordiness. I love good descriptions and like Tolstoy, but I can’t argue with people who complain about how often he digresses to talk about politics!