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Usborne Classics Retold
Jane Eyre
A faithful retelling of the classic story of the love between the governess Jane Eyre and her master Mr Rochester, and the chilling secret set to tear them both apart.
Clearly written in a modern, approachable style to introduce young readers to much-loved classic stories.
Includes informative notes on both the author and the original text.
Ideal for encouraging young readers to pursue an interest in literature.
Clearly written in a modern, approachable style to introduce young readers to much-loved classic stories.
Includes informative notes on both the author and the original text.
Ideal for encouraging young readers to pursue an interest in literature.
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 28, 2006
35 people are currently reading
1541 people want to read
About the author
Anna Claybourne
684 books47 followersFreelance children’s writer and editor, based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Anna Claybourne writes children's information books on all kinds of topics: science experiments, ancient history, the human body, things to make, the environment, robots, evolution, art, fashion, Shakespeare and many more - as well as retellings of myths, legends and Shakespeare plays, and rhyming stories.
She studied English literature at university, but has always been interested in science, technology and art and design as well. She loves making and crafting, especially sewing, and her house is full of fabrics, craft materials, tools and books. Other interests and passions include camping, cats, outdoor swimming, news and politics, and music - she plays the trombone and has played in many different bands and orchestras, including performing live on a John Peel session in 2002 with Scottish band Ballboy.
Anna was born and grew up in Yorkshire, but has also lived in Canada as a student, Iceland as an au pair, and Costa Rica as a conservation volunteer, where she saw tarantulas, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and giant katydids. She now lives in Edinburgh with her two children and two cats, Skye and Socks.
Anna Claybourne writes children's information books on all kinds of topics: science experiments, ancient history, the human body, things to make, the environment, robots, evolution, art, fashion, Shakespeare and many more - as well as retellings of myths, legends and Shakespeare plays, and rhyming stories.
She studied English literature at university, but has always been interested in science, technology and art and design as well. She loves making and crafting, especially sewing, and her house is full of fabrics, craft materials, tools and books. Other interests and passions include camping, cats, outdoor swimming, news and politics, and music - she plays the trombone and has played in many different bands and orchestras, including performing live on a John Peel session in 2002 with Scottish band Ballboy.
Anna was born and grew up in Yorkshire, but has also lived in Canada as a student, Iceland as an au pair, and Costa Rica as a conservation volunteer, where she saw tarantulas, tapirs, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and giant katydids. She now lives in Edinburgh with her two children and two cats, Skye and Socks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 25, 2020
Graceful is the word that comes to mind.
Jane Eliot’s life - starting from an oppressive orphan childhood to one of well endowed happily married lady - is told in such a structured yet powerful way that still reads like a thriller. I remembered parts of it from my initial read in my younger days but I am even more enamoured by the language and development of characters.
It’s a shame that Charlotte Bronte died so young.
Jane Eliot’s life - starting from an oppressive orphan childhood to one of well endowed happily married lady - is told in such a structured yet powerful way that still reads like a thriller. I remembered parts of it from my initial read in my younger days but I am even more enamoured by the language and development of characters.
It’s a shame that Charlotte Bronte died so young.
June 26, 2017
Going in to reading this i didn't think that i would enjoy i. However i found the story so interesting and loved learning about this time in history.It gave you an interesting insight into the early 1800s through a beautiful story with perfect characters.
August 14, 2025
Jane Eyre, based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte
9.6 out of 10
This is a remarkable, modern, yet faithful rendition of the classic novel, adapted for the modern viewer by an acclaimed director, half Japanese and half Swedish I hear, Cary Joni Fukunaga.
Mia Wasikowska is memorable in the title role of Jane Eyre, the rejected, strong, lonely but resilient, loyal and gritty, resourceful, brave, self sacrificing heroine.
She has the benefit of a first part in her life where she doesn't suffer privations, although we could argue that this makes even harder to bear the following period, where she is cast away and forced to accept the position of governess, which doesn't seem much better than that of servant.
Jane Eyre has a good progress in the education of the child and thus, when Rochester aka imposing Michael Fassbender returns to the mansion, he is pleased with the work.
Nonetheless, their first encounter is awkward, for the horse is scared when the heroine comes in his way, throws Rochester down, who needs the help of the then stranger, whom he would later accuse, perhaps jokingly, that she is a witch and she cast a spell on his animal.
The master of the house is rather outre, has a peculiar behavior and we would later see that indeed, given the trauma, the overbearing secret task he has had to deal with, we can see how his attitude would be severely affected by the unknown adversity he had to face daily.
One night, there is a fire - for the few who read this and are unfamiliar with the quintessential classic, let us just say that a mysterious personage starts the fire - and Jane is the one ho saves the life of the master and presumably the others who live in the mansion.
Eventually, Rochester appears to prefer his governess to the woman that most people think he would marry, but Mrs. Fairfax aka legendary Judi Dench warns her and advices the young woman to keep away, for many masters encourage feelings and emotions in the girls they have on the payroll, only to deceive and send them away.
Nonetheless, this man is different and he really wants to marry Jane, albeit on the big day, there is another obstacle in the way, the fact that he is already married!
Alas, this is the catastrophe in his life.
He explains to his would be (second) wife, that would make him bigamous, that his father had wanted this union, because of the fortune involved.
After a period, his spouse would show her true colors, eventually become mad and then make him face the choice.
In a mental institution, in those days, they kept patients in cages and tortured them...indeed, only decades ago, electric shocks were used on patients.
Rochester has spared his wife that fate, but she has been a constant threat to the lives of those live with her under the same roof and she is the reason her husband cannot marry.
Jane runs away and let's stop here, avoiding spoiler alerts for the isolated reader who wants to see or read about the end on his or her own.
9.6 out of 10
This is a remarkable, modern, yet faithful rendition of the classic novel, adapted for the modern viewer by an acclaimed director, half Japanese and half Swedish I hear, Cary Joni Fukunaga.
Mia Wasikowska is memorable in the title role of Jane Eyre, the rejected, strong, lonely but resilient, loyal and gritty, resourceful, brave, self sacrificing heroine.
She has the benefit of a first part in her life where she doesn't suffer privations, although we could argue that this makes even harder to bear the following period, where she is cast away and forced to accept the position of governess, which doesn't seem much better than that of servant.
Jane Eyre has a good progress in the education of the child and thus, when Rochester aka imposing Michael Fassbender returns to the mansion, he is pleased with the work.
Nonetheless, their first encounter is awkward, for the horse is scared when the heroine comes in his way, throws Rochester down, who needs the help of the then stranger, whom he would later accuse, perhaps jokingly, that she is a witch and she cast a spell on his animal.
The master of the house is rather outre, has a peculiar behavior and we would later see that indeed, given the trauma, the overbearing secret task he has had to deal with, we can see how his attitude would be severely affected by the unknown adversity he had to face daily.
One night, there is a fire - for the few who read this and are unfamiliar with the quintessential classic, let us just say that a mysterious personage starts the fire - and Jane is the one ho saves the life of the master and presumably the others who live in the mansion.
Eventually, Rochester appears to prefer his governess to the woman that most people think he would marry, but Mrs. Fairfax aka legendary Judi Dench warns her and advices the young woman to keep away, for many masters encourage feelings and emotions in the girls they have on the payroll, only to deceive and send them away.
Nonetheless, this man is different and he really wants to marry Jane, albeit on the big day, there is another obstacle in the way, the fact that he is already married!
Alas, this is the catastrophe in his life.
He explains to his would be (second) wife, that would make him bigamous, that his father had wanted this union, because of the fortune involved.
After a period, his spouse would show her true colors, eventually become mad and then make him face the choice.
In a mental institution, in those days, they kept patients in cages and tortured them...indeed, only decades ago, electric shocks were used on patients.
Rochester has spared his wife that fate, but she has been a constant threat to the lives of those live with her under the same roof and she is the reason her husband cannot marry.
Jane runs away and let's stop here, avoiding spoiler alerts for the isolated reader who wants to see or read about the end on his or her own.
January 3, 2025
i would’ve thrived back then (1800s?? idk), everyone is sooooo dramatic. also thriftbooks deceived me (i take no responsibility) and i accidentally got the adapted version but alas…. i will read the original one with one billion pages someday
March 21, 2022
honestly its jane eyre wdu think
September 1, 2022
My second read through of this novel and it was just as excellent and exciting as the first time. A wonderful story of love, independence and half-truths.
October 26, 2024
I read the short version, it wasnt bad but the ending? like, girl, you were such a girlboss this whole time so why do you run after a man like a lost puppy😭 anyways, romanticism is beautiful but difficult to read sometimes. Fun had, would recommend.
February 18, 2024
In year 6 (in the UK, so around age 10) scholastic came to my school. My English teacher recommended this abbreviated version of Jane Eyre for me to my parents so they got me it. She was definitely right to do that!
I absolutely loved this book, it is worded brilliantly for the modern day meaning that people who struggle with old time language can still enjoy this story and as you most likely know, the original Jane Eyre is a beautiful story.
Because of this book I am definitely going to read the full version of Jane Eyre and I just hope it's as enjoyable as this was.
REREAD REVIEW:
This was a little fun reread for my birthday, because I wanted a nice wee nostalgia trip and I adored this book as a child!
This abridged version was my first introduction to Jane Eyre, and I didn't read the full book until I was 19. I think this abridged version does a fantastic job at retaining the essence of the book whilst making the story much more manageable for younger readers.
I will always treasure this version of the novel and I'm so glad I squeezed in a reread! For anyone who says they don't like Jane Eyre? I implore you to try out this version!
I absolutely loved this book, it is worded brilliantly for the modern day meaning that people who struggle with old time language can still enjoy this story and as you most likely know, the original Jane Eyre is a beautiful story.
Because of this book I am definitely going to read the full version of Jane Eyre and I just hope it's as enjoyable as this was.
REREAD REVIEW:
This was a little fun reread for my birthday, because I wanted a nice wee nostalgia trip and I adored this book as a child!
This abridged version was my first introduction to Jane Eyre, and I didn't read the full book until I was 19. I think this abridged version does a fantastic job at retaining the essence of the book whilst making the story much more manageable for younger readers.
I will always treasure this version of the novel and I'm so glad I squeezed in a reread! For anyone who says they don't like Jane Eyre? I implore you to try out this version!
June 16, 2017
Mám velmi ráda tento příběh, viděla jsem mnoho filmových zpracování a tohle byla moje první kniha v angličtině. Mohu ji jen doporučit :-)
November 30, 2021
Gracias a que es un clásico de la literatura le tenía muchas expectativas, no muestra el amor de una forma típica y común aún así la historia es ciertamente entretenida, no lo considero de mis libros clásicos favoritos pero para ser una introducción a la novela romántica está bien, tampoco es sencillo leer una novela que se escribió en el 1800, a día de hoy mr rochester se ve que es un hombre manipulador y egocéntrico, para nada merecía la devoción que le tenía Jane, además de hacer algo como encerrar a su esposa en la propia casa que habitaba con su futura prometida, realmente se podría decir que es creepy pero tal vez ese el punto de la novela adentro de lo gótico
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2025
Este libro es de los más lindos que he leído. Sus personajes son complejos, especialmente Jane, quien se muestra decidida y de carácter fuerte para la época, ya que es decidida y esto se ve marcado por las dificultades que enfrenta en su vida. El tema del amor se presenta de muchas formas, no solo de manera romántica, sino también en la amistad, la familia y los sacrificios que cada personaje realiza. Además, el hecho de que Jane y Rochester se elijan una y otra vez, incluso en medio de las circunstancias más difíciles, refleja un amor incondicional que resulta verdaderamente admirable y hermoso
March 12, 2020
Romántico y profundamente apasionado.
Ha llenado mi joven alma de diversos sentimientos. Una gran inclinación de afecto hacia el Sr. Róchester al leer con devoción sus palabras reflejadas por la mano de Charlotte Brontë. Y una gran admiración hacia la protagonista que no desertó en buscar su felicidad.
Me ví reflejada en la mayoría de las páginas y en varios de los personajes.
Me pareció un poco densa en páginas (creo que unas cuantas en ausencia no harían daño). Pero este pensamiento queda avergonzado por el valor de la prosa impresa en ellas.
Ha llenado mi joven alma de diversos sentimientos. Una gran inclinación de afecto hacia el Sr. Róchester al leer con devoción sus palabras reflejadas por la mano de Charlotte Brontë. Y una gran admiración hacia la protagonista que no desertó en buscar su felicidad.
Me ví reflejada en la mayoría de las páginas y en varios de los personajes.
Me pareció un poco densa en páginas (creo que unas cuantas en ausencia no harían daño). Pero este pensamiento queda avergonzado por el valor de la prosa impresa en ellas.
June 3, 2023
Příběh o neuvěřitelné lásce Jane Eyrové a Edwarda Rochestera...no kdo by ho neznal? :) Musím říci, že knížka mě úplně pohltila a k tomu je psána zrcadlově, takže jsem si mohla i procvičit angličtinu. A dokonce knihu obohatilo i pár krásných kreseb, pod kterými jsem si úplně představila, jak je kreslí Jane. Nemůžu jinak, než dát plné hodnocení.
October 30, 2025
A very underrated classic by Charlotte Bronte (one of the famous Bronte sisters) and focuses on the titular character who faced belittling and scorn until she found a better life by becoming educated and in the process became a governess for the mansion owned by the mysterious Mr Rochester and gradually, love sparks between both of them......
April 26, 2020
¿Cuándo te sabes el libro aún sin haberlo leído?
Ninguna sorpresa para mí, quizás al ver la película antes de leer el libro.
No obstante, me ha dejado sorprendida el nivel de pensamiento de la autora, la liberalidad de sus ideas y su adelanto social para la época y las costumbres en que vivió.
Ninguna sorpresa para mí, quizás al ver la película antes de leer el libro.
No obstante, me ha dejado sorprendida el nivel de pensamiento de la autora, la liberalidad de sus ideas y su adelanto social para la época y las costumbres en que vivió.
June 22, 2020
Well written, a bit of a gothic romance.
January 21, 2021
To a non-english native speaker like me, classic novels are always a big challenge. This is a good start for those who want to try reading one of them.
Read
June 30, 2021Read 3 times for various qualifications. Good read
September 20, 2021
Wish I had that courage of Jane Eyre.
October 28, 2023
Brilliant book I really enjoyed this classic
December 9, 2023
My roman empire
February 11, 2024
nok den bedste klassiker jeg har læst
March 26, 2024
reread this for a class but idk how to relog a book i have already reviewed 🫤
October 6, 2024
OH THIS WAS TEAAAAAA
April 23, 2025
literally the best
November 5, 2022
A really riveting read I thoroughly enjoyed this book . And definitely helps me get into classics Anna Claybourne has done a fantastic job at rewriting it . Love the whole Grace Poole plot
January 8, 2012
Jane Eyre is a great book! There are lots of different characters that come and go in this book, but my favorite was Jane. She was very kind and humble.
As a young girl she was an orphan and had to live with her aunt. Her aunt hated Jane, and all the other children would blame every fault on her. They believed Jane was very ungrateful and disrespectful, so she sent Jan to an all girls orphanage school. Jane became hardworking and very smart. She learned math, french, art, and many other subjects.
I can relate to jane the most because she neat and organized. I have to have everything orderly or else it drives me crazy! Jane is also always willing to do someone a favor, big or small.
My favorite parts was when Jane became a governess to a seven year old named Adele. They lived in a large beautiful house in Thornfield England, and Jane was very happy here. She soon fell in love with Mr. Rochester. (the owner of the house) Mr. Rochester and Jane agreed to get married, and dreamed of traveling the world together. The day they were in the chapel getting married, Mr. Briggs came running through the doors and explained secrets Mr. Rochester had been keeping from Jane. It definitely kept you at the edge of your seat!
Jane Eyre is definitely one of my favorites. There are so many mysteries and twists you would not see coming. I would recommend this book to anyone! Jane Eyre is hardworking, and doesn't care what others think of her. She had a hard life and never gave up.
As a young girl she was an orphan and had to live with her aunt. Her aunt hated Jane, and all the other children would blame every fault on her. They believed Jane was very ungrateful and disrespectful, so she sent Jan to an all girls orphanage school. Jane became hardworking and very smart. She learned math, french, art, and many other subjects.
I can relate to jane the most because she neat and organized. I have to have everything orderly or else it drives me crazy! Jane is also always willing to do someone a favor, big or small.
My favorite parts was when Jane became a governess to a seven year old named Adele. They lived in a large beautiful house in Thornfield England, and Jane was very happy here. She soon fell in love with Mr. Rochester. (the owner of the house) Mr. Rochester and Jane agreed to get married, and dreamed of traveling the world together. The day they were in the chapel getting married, Mr. Briggs came running through the doors and explained secrets Mr. Rochester had been keeping from Jane. It definitely kept you at the edge of your seat!
Jane Eyre is definitely one of my favorites. There are so many mysteries and twists you would not see coming. I would recommend this book to anyone! Jane Eyre is hardworking, and doesn't care what others think of her. She had a hard life and never gave up.
October 14, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is a real story and very interesting.
July 12, 2016
I haven't read a lot of classics. In fact, I've probably never read any of the original classics. I do better making it through the retold versions. So, that being said, yes, I enjoyed reading Jane Eyre, the Usborne's retold version. It had the same feel of the Calico Classics of like Frankenstein and Phantom of the Opera, which I haven't read because I didn't think I could make it through. I should see if Usborne has a "retold" version of Little Women, because I also tried to read the original of that, and just couldn't do it. So this is good. Go Usborne. I'm maybe going to try Wuthering Heights next. Not sure. I knew NOTHING about Jane Eyre and I also know nothing about Wuthering Heights. It makes me feel somewhat more accomplished somehow, having read a classic! ;-) So good. I'm glad they have different versions for people like me who struggle, evidently, the the classics.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews