Jane Eyre

by Evelyn Attwood (Adapted by), Charlotte Brontë

Classic / British English Jane Eyre, a poor orphan, grows up in misery until she becomes the governess in the house of wealthy Mr Rochester and falls in love. But mysterious events take place in the house at night, and Mr Rochester appears to be hiding a terrible secret. Can Jane even hope for happiness?

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Romance, Novels, Classic Literature, School

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2008

Reviews

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sure at some point in your lives you have read or at least perused Charlotte Bronte's literary classic: Jane Eyre. For me, it was during my english literary studies. Jane Eyre is a work of fiction that deeply tackles societies values on women, religion and class. Charlotte created a masterpiece that in its day caused rebellion amongst her peers and society as a whole. The story is primarily focused on a little girl called Jane who is without parents and taken in unhappily by her aunt and cousins. She struggles to fit in to her new lifestyle and becomes an avid reader. Jane is a very plain girl who does not succumb to the ugly ducking turned beautiful swan effect. She remains plain through to adulthood which is a central theme throughout the book. Jane is seeking the love of a man who can see past her plain-ness and love her for who she is, provided that their social standing is equal to her own. Throughout her childhood she educates herself through books that some may deem unsuitable to her own but this does not deter her at all. She is sent away to a boarding school where the master promotes religion but not uphold the things that he preaches, he believes that little girls should be seen and not heard then punishes those who 'are above their station'. Jane makes so many wonderful friends and equally enemies who further help her along her way and takes up a teaching post for a man of wealth and popularity who alike jane is not handsome in the eyes of society but un-like jane has the fortune and wealth that makes him attractive. Jane is thrown into a world that she does not fully understand and faces the tough decision of love vs wealth, religion vs temptation and morals vs values. This story is so beautiful and tragic that it can still bring a tear to the eye today. If you haven read it to date then you must. I have read it several times since my studies just for the pleasure of becoming part of her world. It's beautiful, tragic, poignant, resonant and heart breaking. Love it. Let me know what you think!x

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm having a hard time with the flowery language, doing a lot of skimming, but if you remember she was writing in the 1840's, it begins to look very brave.

[Jaynee Sant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wanting to read this book after I saw a cute quote from it on Pinterest and got the chance when it was listed as one of the books we could choose from to read for English. When I checked it out at our schools library, the librarian told me I was brave since it was such a challenging read, to which I turned my nose up and told her I'd fair just fine since I had read Pride and Prejudice and all. Luckily, my confidence was not overconfidence. I seriously loved this book. And I wrote the best essay I've ever written for the Ap English test on Jane's sacrifices throughout the novel and I'm pretty sure that was why I passed. I loved how Jane stayed true to herself through the entire novel. Even though she had no friends or family to judge what choices she was making, SHE would know. And that was enough for her to continue to be a good person. I loved how the reader was often addressed, it really added to the story. One review I read said it made it more "intimate," like she was telling the story to us, her friends. I loved the end, Charlotte Bronte has almost a dark sense of humor the way she made everything work out. But, I'm happy that it did.

[Nicoleta Ciobanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about a girl which has met in her life a lot of interesting things. Since she remembered about her life when she so young. She was a listening and peaceful girl, but her cousins did everything to show her that she never will be the same level like them. But her life was changed in good after many tries to help everyone who needs her help. For me her story, was interesting, and in her story without love there was no happy end. She was a good an intelligent woman. Happy end !

[Aliaa Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love classics .. they make you feel cozy and warm .
It supposed to be a simple love story between Jane and Mr Rochester .. but it didn't feel like that ..
Love it ,, and love the way it made me feel ... ♥

[Stefanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*. I liked this more than i thought I would. My go-to classics are more last century (The Great Gatsby, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird) and less Austen and Brönte. I thought I would dislike this, but it ended up being alright. I don't know how this edition compares to the original, but I found that the simplified English was, although maybe a little too easy, probably making me enjoy it more because I understood everything. The complicated language of classics like Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights have prevented me from committing to starting or finishing those. This was a short but satisfying edition of Jane Eyre, in my opinion.

For a little while I was thinking (and hoping) Mr. Rochester's dark past and secret would be vampirism. It wasn't, but his dark secret was still one of the most interesting elements of the story in my opinion. Mt. Rochester himself I could care less about. Maybe it's the writing or maybe something more common in that time period, but his behavior and way of speaking was a little strange to me, very unrestricted and bold, and mad almost. I liked Jane. She was ordinary, but not too bland. She had a certain fire and boldness in her speaking that contradicted descriptions of her looks and manners, which was interesting. And her morals and independence were appreciated. Lots of characters point out her fault, but they never point out the one fault I see in her, which is how fast she falls in love with Mr. Rochester. I do understand the connection and strength of their relationship, but I don't understand how it came to be so quickly as their time spent together isn't long and their conversations not that deep or long.

There is a certain sense of humor one can pick up on in some scenes, sentences and conversations. which I enjoyed. The descriptive emotions from Jane's side and her struggling and succes made for a nice read. It didn't wow me, but like I said, it exceded my expectations in some ways. Not my favorite genre, but I thought it was just going to be a classic romance oriented novel, while fortunately it was more Jane's life story - and, yes, her love of Mr. Rochester. Who I still think is too old for her.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book on audible, my second time through it. It has put me through such a huge range of emotions. I can identify with Jane's character. She tries to be a good, pious lady, but she has a heart of passion and individuality and feminism. The language can be difficult to get through at times, but listening made it easier. I love her spirit and vivacity. The way that the story moves and changes Mr. Rochester and Jane is so endearing. They are a couple that knows how to play, to tease, and to love one another. They both have changed their positions from rich, powerful to lowly and humble and vice versa. I especially understood Jane's reluctance to gobble up Edward's money like a gold digger. She has the kind of spirit we should all strive for, which is a spirit of kindness and fortitude and humility.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Eyre is the most incredible story! It’s among the best stories of English literature for me, the influential part of her story is the difficulties of her personal life.


My favorite quote from the book:
“would have got past Mr. Rochester's chamber without pause; but my heart momentarily stopping its beat at that threshold, my foot was forced to stop also. No sleep was there: the inmate was walking restlessly from wall to wall; and again and again he sighed while I listened. There was a heaven-a temporary heaven-in this room for me if I chose.”

[Allie_mcnasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books of the Bronte sisters are known as some of the greats of American literature. Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte lived in England in the 1800s. I read Charlotte Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" in high school, so when I saw Emily Bronte's "Jane Eyre" on my college English reading class, I was excited! "Jane Eyre" does not disappoint! Overall, I was extremely pleased with the story, language, and social criticism in the book. Bronte does a great job of making you empathize with the main character and really see yourself in Jane's shoes because of the first person narrative.
"Jane Eyre" is a gothic romance set between the late 1700s and early 1800s. The book tells the story of Jane Eyre; her trials and tribulations, as well as her search for love. The story centers around Jane finding herself and seeking a sense of belonging. To me, "Jane Eyre" was more of a coming-of-age story than a romance. The heart of the novel rests in Jane finding her own self-sufficiency and letting her self be loved. For example, in the end, Jane is able to return to Rochester after proving her self-sufficiency to herself during her time at the Moor House.
During Jane's childhood, she often felt neglected and misunderstood. When she meets Rochester, they are very fond of each other and begin to spend many evenings together. When Rochester proposes to Jane, she refuses. Despite her love for Rochester, she does not want to lose her freedom. She feels as if she would somehow be "indebted" to Rochester if they were to marry.
Throughout the novel, Bronte criticizes England's social hierarchy. As a governess, Jane is educated and sophisticated in her manner, but is nonetheless treated like a servant. Jane is Rochester's intellectual equal, but not his social equal. Jane speaks up about her ideas in certain times in the book: in chapter 23 Jane says to Rochester, "“Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong!—I have as much soul as you—and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you.” During the times in which this novel was written, I feel like these small glimpses of Jane's feelings are Bronte's only way of speaking out against this social hierarchy. Being a woman during the 1800s was very different from now, and some of Jane's comments in the novel reflect Bronte's forward social thinking.
I like how Bronte adds subtle symbolism to express her sentiments on social class. Bertha, Rochester's wife from Jamaica, seems to be a representation of the Victorian wife. She is "trapped" both physically and mentally, to the bounds of marriage between her and Rochester. Within the story, perhaps Bertha's mental state could be a warning to Jane about "complete surrender" to Rochester. Not only would Jane be committed to another individual, but she would forever be in a position of "lower status." In chapter 26, Bronte describes the animalistic nature of Bertha: "In the deep shade, at the farther end of the room, a figure ran backwards and forwards. What it was, whether beast or human being, one could not, at first sight tell: it grovelled, seemingly, on all fours; it snatched and growled like somestrange wild animal: but it was covered with clothing, and a quantity of dark, grizzled hair, wild as a mane, hid its head and face." This description, to me, shows a repressed and confined woman. Perhaps Bronte is trying to show that by confining women to be in the house all the time suffocates women and can lead to their madness. I think Bertha represents what being in a repressed Victorian marriage felt like. I don't think Bertha is as crazy as everyone says she is, she is instead, a product of her environment. I love how Bronte does not directly point to this fact, but instead uses deeper symbols to find meaning in.
On the other hand, throughout the novel, no rules of society ever become bent. Bronte never tries to challenge the social rules. In the end, Jane Eyre is only able to marry Mr. Rochester because she "magically" gets the inheritance from her uncle.
In the end, Charlotte Bronte has created a gothic world and thrusts the reader into this Victorian age. I loved the many dark aspects of the book (like Rochester's "secrets" aka Bertha) and also the romantic side. I love Jane's quote about her and Rochester's love in the chapter 38: “I am my husband’s life as fully as he is mine. . . . To be together is for us to be at once as free as in solitude, as gay as in company. . . . We are precisely suited in character—perfect concord is the result." I love that Bronte chose to show that it was possible for Jane Eyre to find love; she just had to find herself first! I would highly recommend this book: it is not a cliché romance, there is a lot of depth throughout the story. Read this book and I promise you cannot help but really feel for Jane Eyre and root for her in the end! Jane is a great character; I think Bronte did a great job of portraying the difficulties of being a lower class woman in Victorian England.

[Lucía Lobato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia bonita y bien contada.

[Kathy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4/5. There was a lot to like about this book. For me it got a little too long; it finally picked up at the end but the middle was a bit of a slog.

[Fien Wijnstok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it very much, it was interesting to read about Jane and her life and how it changed through time.

[Eduarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible

[Jéssica Rosa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eu amei a história, mas essa é a versão simplificada, então preciso ler a inteira pra opinar kkk

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Jocleyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Eyre was a a great novel to have read during the break. Not only was it an inspiring novel, but it was very descriptive, detailed in every chapter. The detail of every single scene kept me awake till I had to finish the next chapter. I would recommend this novel to individuals who love a Gothic novel with a hint of romance midway through the book. In my opinion I viewed Jane, the heroine/protagonist, as what a women should be capable of committing herself to; though Jane had her faults, she demonstrated strength and her will to follow her morals. She was capable of running away from temptation because she understood the consequence of committing that mistake. Her feelings were in place, she was able to conceal her emotions, but that didn't cause her to stay silent as she was attacked. Jane spoke up, and "speak she must" because she valued her intellectual ability. Jane knew she had more knowledge than most women had around Mr. Rochester. I liked Jane for the struggles she overcame, but I loved the knowledge and influence Helen Burns gave her that allowed Jane to forgive the most cruel person in her life (even though that person herself hated her till death), Mrs. Reed. However, why I truly gave this book a TOP SCORE of FIVE STARS was because of Helen Burns. The novel emphasized the struggles Jane overcame and how she faced her fears and forgave, but Helen Burns was like the light that shined through the Gothic novel. She the lighted path Jane had to take after she became so hateful towards those who belittled her as well as treated her unfairly. Helen was filled with knowledge, she was a wise young girl who explained the secrets of the universe to Jane. Therefore, this novel not only gave me the feeling of joy, anger, and suspense. It ultimately made me feel immense sadness after Helen died so peacefully. It was the most beautiful part of the novel because she was so noble to her faith and so disciplined that Helen blamed her numerable punishments to her simple, innocent mistakes. Jane was a lucky little girl to have crossed paths with a living angel.
There was one awkward part of the novel, but I am assuming it was intended to demonstrate the social and economic gaps: their age differences. Mr. Rochester and Jane were meant to be, but their class of status didn't allow them to be together which is why I am assuming their ages were far a part because it showed that an 18 year girl, a governess with no money or family ties, will marry a wealthy 40 year old master. Though age doesn't define love...it seems a bit off. Overall, I loved the book so much and I am sure many fans of Victorian Era literature, French phrases from here to there, romances, and tragedies, as well as a chilly thriller with a DARK secret in the attic, will grab at your your attention and cause your heart to skip a beat with every single plot twist.

[Arya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Jane Eyre (not this specific edition but I read it). It has a very complicated plot line, starting out simple but raising more questions with every turn of a page. About 10 years (1800's in England) ago a poor clergyman fell in love with & married a noble man's daughter, who was soon disowned my her wealthy family due to her low marriage. However, they'd both eventually died of typhus, leaving their little daughter, Jane Eyre as an orphan with no money, as they had none to bequeath. Charity carried the infant to its rich, maternal relations (her mother's brother), who'd unfortunately died not too long after. A decade later, the young girl called Jane Eyre is being reared & maintained by her cruel aunt-in-law, Mrs. Sarah Reed of Gateshead Hall. Despised by her wicked widowed aunt & bullied by her 3 cousins, Jane is treated as less than a servant. Your typical Cinderella story (that's older than Cinderella). She's grown to hate her life in this miserable place, until she'd finally convinced Mrs. Reed to send her away to Lowood School. She stays there for 8 years until deciding to leave by posting an ad in the local newspaper to apply for a position as a governess. Her only response is from a certain Mrs. Alice Fairfax, to educate Adele Varens, the ward of Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester. The wealthy own of Thornfield Hall. Where shall dear Jane's adventures carry her to next? I've rated this classic novel 5 stars. Though somewhat coincidental, reading of Jane Eyre uncovering more of her family's secrrets is a riveting & thrilling pass time. I hope that you'll enjoy it as well.

[Convoluted · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not often a fan of stories focused primarily on a romance/relationship, the story of Jane Eyre has intrigued me since I first read it for school at age fourteen (quite a while ago). Having re-read it more recently for a class on 19th Century British Novels, I found it still pulled me in with the intriguing plotline, dynamic characters, and the fascinating connection and interactions between Jane and Rochester. (The other men in the book never stood a chance against 'dark, brooding man with distinctive character and a somewhat mysterious past.'). The rich tapestry of England as her setting, the school, the house, even the empty landscapes take on a life of their own, and the wide variety of character types keeps the book from ever being dull. Even when the focus turns to the troubled romance, the book is never lacking in drama or plot. It is also, I admit, rather enjoyable to have a book with main characters who are naturally flawed, and not at all 'classically beautiful.' The depth of personality more than makes up for that.

(Do note, this is not the specific edition I read. I read the full thing in the original text.)

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently finished this book, telling the story of a young orphan girl and her passionate and brave spirit that could not be tamed by a cruel world.
It took me a long time to get through it, it's very wordy and detailed, however, it is fine literature.
I found many profound quotes and ideas from this read, and was impressed by the amount of thought that the author put into each and every character.
The story has twists and turns and unexpected outcomes, it reaches a high point and falls into an eloquent rhythm.
I especially love Jane's independent self respect. No matter how desolate, how lonely, how friendless she was, she managed to find God and maintain a certain pride for herself. Even in the midst of starvation or destitution, she manages not to sell herself to the plagues of loneliness-desperation. I would recommend this book to anyone, though, especially those who need an example of strength and wisdom through a solitary chapter in life.
A quote from Jane Eyre: "I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself."

[Brittny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. Ms. Bronte did an excellent job of telling several seemingly totally separate stories and then bringing them together at the end. As I went through I had to remind myself that each new place she told us about was still connected to the last place, but not in a bad way. I had been putting off reading it for a long time because I was daunted by the idea of getting into classical literature, but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!

[Wendy Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure why I enjoyed this, because it really is a novel/love story. But this girl, who doesn't enjoy novels, really did enjoy this read. The language was very interesting, but not so fussy that it was difficult to listen to. This give me hope and encouragement to forge ahead with other "classics" that I haven't read.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this one for school, and it was probably my most favourite for school so far. I absolutely love the character Jane, though I was a bit unsure with her relationship with Rochester. But I loved this book, I really did.

It started of slower, but it still had action from the beginning, not 50 pages of straight description.

I would recommend this to just about anyone!

[Kubilay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. İt is a classic book. İt is about Jane who has got mother and brother. She lives with her aunt and cousins. They are treat bad to Jane. Jane leaves from her aunt for go to school. Her adventure of live starts. İf we talking about level of book. İt is easy. I will rate 4 out of 5 because beginning of book is a little boring. But if we talking about whole book, İt is very good.

[Spotted Writer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of 2015. I waited way too long to read this book. Compared to the complex and sometimes snorezilla work of Emily Bronte, I was afraid Charlotte would be the same, but I was utterly impressed and surprised by how easy it was to read. The flow of Charlotte's writing is phenomenal. Literary readers must have this under their belt-it is a must read before you die!

[Nita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that I had read this book before, but there is no way that I could have forgotten this story. Described as a "dark romance" this book contains themes that I wouldn't expect in a "classic" novel. The text is poetic and I couldn't help cheering-on Jane as she navigated through childhood and early adulthood while remaining true to herself.

[Laura Polhamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all time, I've read it at least 5 times and each time I read it gets better! I wish there was a movie that came close to the expression, compassion, feeling, and love in this classic!

[yami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved jane eyre, she is certainly one of those characters i love because she stood up for herself and always did what she thought was correct.
The plot was very entertaining, it is for sure a pleasant reading

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it shameful to admit that the last time I read this book was in High School English class? I always remember having enjoyed it, but I am really glad I decided to revisit this classic. There was so much more to the story than I remember! Well done, Charlotte!

[Tony Bittner-Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly touching book. Jane is a simple heroine who craves happiness, but as her life's always been difficult, she remains content with the few nice moments life offers. I admire her courage and determination to overcome disappointment.

[Natalia Méndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it!