Whoa I would argue you have gone a couple sentences too long into the plot and need to back up!! Intense spoiler alert!! I mean idk dude maybe it’s common knowledge at this point in time, but I’d argue many people have not had the pleasure (you hadn’t!).
Fair point, Susan. I went back and forth about how much of the story to reveal. I thought the situation in the attic (if that's what you're referring to) was pretty widely known that mentioning it wouldn't spoil it too much. There are far more shocking details about it that I kept close. My aim was to pique the interest of someone who hadn't read it enough to give it a try.
I like “attic situation” as you’ve said it here better!
Unrelatedly, since you’ve read it more recently than I, what’s your take on whether Adele is Rochester’s kid? The Ruth Wilson adaptation I just watched goes out of its way to establish she is not, but I always thought surely yes, which must mean that the book leaves it up for debate. Like, what a rake! Settling down for plain little Jane! What do you think?? What’s your fresher celebrity goss??
That's interesting! But in light of spoiler concerns, I won't reveal my thoughts on that issue here. I am debating whether to go back and put a light spoiler warning on the web version of this review.
🥰I first read Jane Eyre in my early 60s. I know. I was on a reading spree of righting a few wrongs at the time. And it did not disappoint. All that beautiful writing and as you and Rachel agree, it was so head of its time. In hindsight, it was rather splendid to have that first reading joy when I did. I enjoy your reading about your reading and have taken quite a few recommendations from you. A Month in the Country was another late in life reading pleasure. Thanks, 📚♥️
Excellent review! I first read Jane Eyre in high school under the guidance of a wonderful English teacher (thanks Mrs. Gaber!) and have loved it ever since. I read Wide Sargasso Sea much later and it did influence my feelings about Rochester, but I am okay that I read them backwards. Over the winter I read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë and in that book, the heroine is strong and smart and I liked it a lot, but Jane was freer and less constricted by convention. The Brontë girls are among my favorite authors and I would read Tenant in a year or two. So many books and it is a little lengthy…..
Thanks so much, Kate! I agree that it doesn't really matter what order folks read Jane and Sargasso. Each informs the other, but stands alone. It does make me wonder, though, whether I would have had a different takeaway about Rochester without that background, unofficial though it is. Either way, I do want to read works by the other Brontës, probably starting with 'Wuthering Heights.' One thing I didn't have room to mention is that the notes and intro to 'Jane Eyre' mention that several of the characters were based on Charlotte's sisters, and not the famous ones we all know. Very interesting context!
Great review of Jane Eyre, Mike! I loved that you focussed on the earlier parts of the novel, which is where Jane really captivated me. As such a small child, she really sticks up for herself. I'm intrigued by your comparison with Wide Sargasso Sea—I'll read these books in the opposite order as you did, so I wonder how different my impressions will be. Thank for for the shoutout too.
Thanks, Alicia! She really was an interesting child character. Wise beyond her years, but I guess she would have to be being so isolated and under constant duress. I'm glad we read this book. I look forward to your thoughts on Sargasso!
I have Jane Eyre on my 2025 to read list. But then I read Emma in February and I didn’t like the overly long sentences which discouraged me to read Jane Eyre haha. But I think I might pick this up sometime on the second half of the year. Yours and Alicia’s review was a sign.
Thanks, Jam! The writing here is dense and long, for sure, but so worth it. I hope you tackle it this year and that you enjoy it as much as Alicia and I did!
I read the first 50 or so pages over ten years ago. Probably closer to 20. And I enjoyed it, but it was the first ebook I ever tried to read and I couldn't stick with it, nor could I remember it was there.
I've gotten better about eBooks in the intervening years, and I liked what I read, so maybe it's time to give it another shot.
Vivid memories of reading Jane Eyre in high school, for an assignment in English 3 Honors, and being generally untethered with it (was never a big Brit Lit girlie). When I reached, “Reader,” I screamed. Threw the book across the room. Furiously typed up my assignment at midnight, when it was due that day. I’ve read Wide Sargasso Sea and find so much more empathy for MC than for Jane, I just can’t help it. Maybe if I reread today, I’d feel differently, but…I highly doubt it.
I put this on my long TBR list after this review!!
Thanks!
Whoa I would argue you have gone a couple sentences too long into the plot and need to back up!! Intense spoiler alert!! I mean idk dude maybe it’s common knowledge at this point in time, but I’d argue many people have not had the pleasure (you hadn’t!).
Fair point, Susan. I went back and forth about how much of the story to reveal. I thought the situation in the attic (if that's what you're referring to) was pretty widely known that mentioning it wouldn't spoil it too much. There are far more shocking details about it that I kept close. My aim was to pique the interest of someone who hadn't read it enough to give it a try.
I like “attic situation” as you’ve said it here better!
Unrelatedly, since you’ve read it more recently than I, what’s your take on whether Adele is Rochester’s kid? The Ruth Wilson adaptation I just watched goes out of its way to establish she is not, but I always thought surely yes, which must mean that the book leaves it up for debate. Like, what a rake! Settling down for plain little Jane! What do you think?? What’s your fresher celebrity goss??
That's interesting! But in light of spoiler concerns, I won't reveal my thoughts on that issue here. I am debating whether to go back and put a light spoiler warning on the web version of this review.
Great job on this review! I look forward to your Murdoch review. I've heard good things about her but haven't read her yet.
Thanks, Gina!
🥰I first read Jane Eyre in my early 60s. I know. I was on a reading spree of righting a few wrongs at the time. And it did not disappoint. All that beautiful writing and as you and Rachel agree, it was so head of its time. In hindsight, it was rather splendid to have that first reading joy when I did. I enjoy your reading about your reading and have taken quite a few recommendations from you. A Month in the Country was another late in life reading pleasure. Thanks, 📚♥️
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the review and that you also that you liked A Month in the Country, too. It's such a beautiful book!
Excellent review! I first read Jane Eyre in high school under the guidance of a wonderful English teacher (thanks Mrs. Gaber!) and have loved it ever since. I read Wide Sargasso Sea much later and it did influence my feelings about Rochester, but I am okay that I read them backwards. Over the winter I read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë and in that book, the heroine is strong and smart and I liked it a lot, but Jane was freer and less constricted by convention. The Brontë girls are among my favorite authors and I would read Tenant in a year or two. So many books and it is a little lengthy…..
Thanks so much, Kate! I agree that it doesn't really matter what order folks read Jane and Sargasso. Each informs the other, but stands alone. It does make me wonder, though, whether I would have had a different takeaway about Rochester without that background, unofficial though it is. Either way, I do want to read works by the other Brontës, probably starting with 'Wuthering Heights.' One thing I didn't have room to mention is that the notes and intro to 'Jane Eyre' mention that several of the characters were based on Charlotte's sisters, and not the famous ones we all know. Very interesting context!
Great review of Jane Eyre, Mike! I loved that you focussed on the earlier parts of the novel, which is where Jane really captivated me. As such a small child, she really sticks up for herself. I'm intrigued by your comparison with Wide Sargasso Sea—I'll read these books in the opposite order as you did, so I wonder how different my impressions will be. Thank for for the shoutout too.
Thanks, Alicia! She really was an interesting child character. Wise beyond her years, but I guess she would have to be being so isolated and under constant duress. I'm glad we read this book. I look forward to your thoughts on Sargasso!
This makes me irrationally ecstatic that you loved it so much
Ha! Thanks! It's so good!
Jane Eyre foreverrrrr. I am an unapologetic Rochester stan but recognize that I'm in the minority. Glad you enjoyed the read overall!!!
Ha! A Rochester stan?! You'll have to explain that to me at some point, my friend.
This was fucking amazing 😂 every gif made me laugh. Jane Eyre por vidaaaaa
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the review!
Love the review and love Jane Eyre!
Thanks, Kelly!
I have Jane Eyre on my 2025 to read list. But then I read Emma in February and I didn’t like the overly long sentences which discouraged me to read Jane Eyre haha. But I think I might pick this up sometime on the second half of the year. Yours and Alicia’s review was a sign.
Thanks, Jam! The writing here is dense and long, for sure, but so worth it. I hope you tackle it this year and that you enjoy it as much as Alicia and I did!
I hope so!
I read the first 50 or so pages over ten years ago. Probably closer to 20. And I enjoyed it, but it was the first ebook I ever tried to read and I couldn't stick with it, nor could I remember it was there.
I've gotten better about eBooks in the intervening years, and I liked what I read, so maybe it's time to give it another shot.
Thanks, Justin! My two cents: give it another shot!
What a great review! I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Mike 😎 Jane Eyre is definitely one of my favorite books. And I need to read Wide Sargasso Sea asap!
Thanks so much, Nicole! Definitely check out Wide Sargasso Sea! I’d love to know your thoughts about it.
Vivid memories of reading Jane Eyre in high school, for an assignment in English 3 Honors, and being generally untethered with it (was never a big Brit Lit girlie). When I reached, “Reader,” I screamed. Threw the book across the room. Furiously typed up my assignment at midnight, when it was due that day. I’ve read Wide Sargasso Sea and find so much more empathy for MC than for Jane, I just can’t help it. Maybe if I reread today, I’d feel differently, but…I highly doubt it.