Jane Eyre: An Autobiography (Collected Works of Charlotte Bronte 2 volumes)

Book Description

Cambridge Literature is a series of literary texts edited for study by students aged 14–18 in English-speaking classrooms. It will include novels, poetry, short stories, essays, travel-writing and other non-fiction. The series will be extensive and open-ended and will provide school students with a range of edited texts taken from a wide geographical spread. It will include writing in English from various genres and differing times. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is edited by Susan Cockcroft of Mackworth College, Derby.

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Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre none the less emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. How she takes up the post of governess at Thornfield Hall, meets and loves Mr Rochester and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage are elements in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than that traditionally accorded to her sex in Victorian society.

Customer Reviews:

The best classic I've ever read.......2007-10-07

I finished reading this book about a week ago, and I've never been able to get it completely out of my mind since, particularly the wonderfully charismatic and passionate Mr. Rochester. (I'll get to him later, though) This is only the second novel I've read that has a main protagonist that is quite similar to me in personality, which is refreshing in itself. (Most novels have spirited, strong-willed people as the main character--not that it's wrong, it just gets boring after around 500 readings.) I identify with Jane because in many ways, for she acts and reacts as I would in her situation. And Mr. Rochester....I fell in love with him with the first chapter I read (which was Chapter 27; I cheated) and have not stopped since. *Sigh, Giggle*
These characters are so brilliantly drawn out--no other classic has done a better job of making me feel as if these characters are dynamic people.
The prose sparkles--especially Mr. Rochester's, who I find has the gift of turning me into a pile of mush.
In short, this is the best classic I've ever read, and the only one that I will definitely read over again and again and again.....(The only one that came close was Pride and Prejudice) No other story has made feel as this one did--this gothic story of passion and love captivates me and will continue to do so.
P.S. The only problem I had with Jane's character is when my darling Edward is singing to her, and she is fairly unaffected. I was sobbing on the floor and yelling at Jane at why she was not doing the same thing. Any one else feel the same way?
PPS: Some people might say that she is strong and strong-willed, but she is not. Rather, she is strong-principled. She does not have to have her own way, but when it comes to God's way, she is more spirited about it.
PPPS: And I am not Dwight Rhodes. I'm his daughter. Couldn't you tell?

This book sucks.......2007-08-26

This book sucks. This is the worst piece of filth I've ever read in my short life. Jane Eyre is a big pansy. Mr. Rochester is compensating.

Not What I Expected - A Bit Dull And Wordy.......2007-06-21

A young girl is orphaned as a baby and is entrusted to her uncle and his family. When her uncle dies, it falls to her aunt to provide her care. Unfortunately, her aunt despises the young girl and eventually finds a way to send the young girl away. The young girl, Jane Eyre, enters a boarding school for girls of less significant means and it is there she can truly begin to take charge of her life and where her adventures, so to speak, begin.

Jane Eyre did catch me up immediately and keep me involved through the first half of the book. It moved fairly quickly. However, I thought the story dragged a bit about halfway and throughout the second half. Personally, I found the book suffered from what most Romance era and Gothic writers had an affinity for: why use 5 words when 15 or 20 will do. The novel became wordy and overlong at times and I found myself putting it down for long periods of time. Quite frankly, I think the story is better told in the myriad of movies that have been released. I am quite at a loss as to exactly why this novel is such the classic it is.

The character of Jane Eyre bothered me as well, but I think she was more truthfully written and my dislike reflects the wordy nature of the book. Jane is morally strong - and that is to be admired - but she is so emotionally cold - I never imagined her being "in love," passionate or otherwise. Even though she states she is in love, there seems to be no passion or fire. What an oddly matched pair! Though, I get the same feelings when I read Jane Austen, so perhaps readers of Ms. Austen's novels will appreciate this one.

This novel is not all terrible, despite what I've said. It is engaging, though I think parts can be skimmed. Those who absolutely adore Gothic romance will love it. Those of us who find Gothic romance dull and dreary will find this novel less than enchanting.

loved this book.......2007-06-08

In highschool I was assigned Jane Eyre to read & only read the clift notes, even that was interesting enough to bring me back to the book later in the summer when I had more time. It is considered a romance by many people but It's nothing like the little paperbacks that tennybopper girls read. It is a truly interesting book. I never know if I will like the "classics" or not (some just bore me to tears) but this one is a classic for a reason. It's one of the few books I've gone back & read twice. Love it, it takes you on a journey.

OH WOW.......2007-06-05

haha im into horror books.. but we had to do an Historical Fiction book report recently and i remember my mom buying me this book saying i should read it in high school, im in 7th grade, I have to say this is probably the best book i have ever read, although after she left mr.Rochester i wanted to stop because i thought it would just be depressing. but im glad i went on. Bronte is an amazing writer, I fell in love with mr.Rochester and it broke my heart knowing that he was blind. haha well i can't wait to find her other books and readd them.

Average customer rating:

Jane Eyre
One of the very best
A Realistic, Relatable Fairy Tale
Tough Times
Jane Eyre......a real classic

Jane Eyre (Dover Thrift Editions)
Charlotte Brontë
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0486424499

Book Description

An orphan girl's progress from custody of cruel relatives to an oppressive boarding school culminates in a troubled career as a governess. Jane's first assignment at Thornfield, where the proud and cynical master harbors a scandalous secret, draws readers ever deeper into a compelling exploration of the mysteries of the human heart.

Customer Reviews:

Jane Eyre.......2007-09-25

A Favorite! This is a must have classic. You can't put it down... a real page turner... you'll experience great emotions and it will make you cry.

One of the very best.......2007-08-30

I have been passionate about Jane Eyre for going on twenty years now. It captured my imagination as a young teenager and it continues to capture my imagination as a grown woman with a child of my own. I read it probably about once a year and every time I read it, I find more to love. The story is timeless and the themes are relevant even in today's world which is certainly a mark of Brontë's prodigious talent and insight.

This is a feminist tome in so many ways. Right up front, we are told of Jane's plainness and in an age when being pretty was about the best a woman could hope to be, this is an especially significant detail. It quickly becomes clear that Jane will not make her way in the world thanks to her looks and it immediately frees the author to focus on what is truly important: Jane's heart, soul, and mind.

Her grossly abusive childhood is repugnant in all senses of the word and especially so when one considers that there were likely many, many young girls who suffered in exactly the way Jane suffers. This is a great characterization of the concept of heartless charity and false piety. Aunt Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst are textbook examples of Christians who have no real connection or adherence to their beliefs, who are more or less going through the motions in order to make themselves look good in the eyes of others. I find the scene where the sumptuously attired Brocklehurst women visit Lowood to be one of the book's many stellar scenes. With great subtlety and skill, Brontë drives home her point that those who excel at making themselves appear superior to others are often those leading the most hypocritical of lifestyles.

I am also always struck by the realization of how bleak Jane's prospects are. Ultimately she is fortunate to find a position as a governess in a house with one obedient and affectionate child. Though Adèle is nowhere near an intellectual equal to Jane, she is not the wild, spoiled child that many governesses likely had to suffer. What's more, Jane has an employer who may be absentee, taciturn, and mysterious but pays her well, solicits and respects her opinions, and sees her as his intellectual equal. Again, Brontë vividly underscores Jane's lot with the scene in which Lady Ingrahm bemoans the "martyrdom" she has suffered because of her many governesses, at which point her spoiled and gold-digging daughter professes how much she and her siblings enjoyed tormenting the women forced to attempt to educate them.

As for the romance, it is one of the very best. There is no scene that can even hold a candle to Mr. Rochester's description of the string that binds him to Jane. The passion between Mr. Rochester and Jane is so vivid that it practically leaps off the page and it is sexy in a way that no tawdry novel could ever hope to replicate.

Ultimately, though, it is Jane who makes the story what it is. Though it may break her will or her heart or both, Jane refuses to be anything less than true to herself, a truly revolutionary concept given the era in which the novel was written. Jane is strong-willed, loving, and intelligent and she never seeks more than to be exactly who and what she is. Though she is a kind person, she seeks no one's approval and when she must ultimately make a choice between her own soul and her heart's desire, she refuses to compromise herself in any way. There are few messages stronger than this for women of any age.

This is a truly ageless masterpiece that demands repeated readings and that deserves a place of honor on the shelf of anyone who loves literature. I can hardly wait to share it with my daughter when the time comes. In this age of Bratz dolls and Britney Spears, girls need a role model like Jane more than ever.

A Realistic, Relatable Fairy Tale.......2007-07-20

A Realistic, Relatable Fairy Tale, by Michelle Giullain

Some people never get sick of fairy tales. I, for one, have an incredible ability to hear the same story over and over again and never tire. Every once in a while, though, I crave something a little more realistic, while still maintaining that fairy tale `happily ever after' ending. It is hard to appeal to both sides of the spectrum, but Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre accomplishes this daunting task. Though it does have the typical fairy tale ending, it is a novel the audience can relate to. Instead of a fairy tale princess, Jane Eyre is the fairy tale story of a plain girl who faces real struggles. Bronte's realistic, relatable characters who face normal struggles allow the reader to relate to the novel, making it a book that will be thoroughly enjoyed for years to come.

The characterization Bronte uses is truly genius, combining archetypal characters with human flaws. Oddly enough, it contains some of the fairy tale archetypes we are oh so familiar with, the evil stepmother and stepsisters. In this case, it is an abusive aunt and her spoiled children, but they fulfill the same role. Other archetypes, such as the sacrificial best friend, Helen Burns, and the crazy ex, Bertha, all show up in the novel. It speaks to the reader's emotions, because everyone has and archetypal figure in their life of some form. Whether or not you have an evil stepmother, or mother in law, it is comforting to read about other people who go through the same struggles as you, especially if your ex is still haunting you.

Additionally, the characterization of the protagonist, Jane Eyre, gives the reader a direct connection to the novel. Her imperfections are what make her so perfect. Her outside appearance pales in comparison to the beautiful princesses, literally. Her pale skin and her plain face do not match the description of the usual princess. But, because Jane is not perfect, the audience can relate to her. Not many of us look just like a princess, have a castle, or a fairy godmother to grant our every wish. When we read about someone who isn't that beautiful, those who feel they are not as beautiful as Cinderella have someone to relate to. However, it is not only the outer appearance that makes Jane so ideal. She also has character flaws. She does not posses the patience to tame a beast, like Belle, or Snow White's affinity to the caretaking of small innocent creatures. Rather, her honesty and stubbornness, un-princess like qualities, show that she is human. She is not entirely confident in herself and feels loneliness. In her own words, "I abhorred myself...I was hateful in my own eyes" (329). Though we may not loathe ourselves all of the time, there are many instances in which a normal human in the normal world would not like themselves. This additional perspective into the imperfect Jane helps the reader connect to the book.

Bronte also makes the other character's flaws apparent, especially in the man Jane comes to love. Prince not-so-charming, Rochester, has his own flaws inside and out. He, like Jane, is not beautiful, dashing, or handsome. He is rustic, unrefined, and unkind and that is not all. He tries to control Jane's actions and play with her mind. He has hidden baggage, too. His crazy wife, Bertha, is locked up in his attic. By the end, however, he has proven that he is a good person, just like Jane. He heroically tries to save his servants and crazy wife from his burning house, and loses an eye in the process. The key to the audience connection is the imperfection of not only Jane, but also Rochester. For, how possible would it be that Jane could find a dashing prince charming when she is not beautiful? And if Rochester were handsome, why would he pursue a relationship with a plain Jane? The two is absolutely perfect for each other. To the reader, it makes perfect sense that these two imperfect characters should get together. And, it might even remind them of their own romantic endeavors, or give them a little hope for the future.

Beyond the imperfect characters, the relationship between the characters also contributes to the appeal to the audience by creating even more reality amid a fairy tale story. The Rochester-Jane romance is not a love at first sight experience, even though she does sweep him off his feet. (Actually, his horse slips on the ice the first time they cross paths, but that is not really the same thing). Though Prince Charming and Cinderella lacked a bit of communication, they never had any significant relationship problems. Snow white didn't even need to meet her Prince. One kiss and he made her feel alive. However, like most human relationships, Jane and Rochester fight, argue, feel jealously and hurt. They keep secrets and experience disappointments. Rochester invites a party of beautiful women to his house to make Jane jealous. Then, on the morning of their wedding, she finds out that he has a wife in the attic. Jane then runs away because she cannot bear the thought of being a mistress to Rochester. Rochester is devastated and almost gives up living because he has lost Jane. Though they love each other, their relationship is not always perfect. Jane Eyre has no magic spells, princes, dragons, or balls. She has to deal with real life in the real world of relationships. Because this is more like the world we live in, the audience, who has likely experienced jealousy and conflict in a relationship, is able to see themselves in the story.

Alas, all is well in the end, once the real life struggles are over. This fairy tale ending is the perfect finishing to the story, because it what the reader `wants'. Though life doesn't always follow that pattern, sometimes it does. For Jane, something finally went right. Not many sentences in the novel provide as much joy as the simple declaration, "Reader, I married him" (462). Jane Eyre finds the love she has always wanted, and the reader, at that moment, experiences a small moment of triumph. That moment is the defining emotional moment of the novel, and what makes this novel so appealing to an audience. But, that is the same with any fairy tale.

Because Jane Eyre does not simply focus on the `happily ever after', but integrates the story into a complicated and realistic plot, it is a more believable story. The book does not begin or end with the usual `Once upon a time" and "Happily ever after", nor does it focus on the marriage and courtship between the two characters. Jane has struggles throughout the novel, from the abusive cousins to the malnutrition at school to nearly dying from exhaustion. Even after she marries Rochester, she must deal with a blind husband who is an emotional wreck. With small triumphs are placed intermittently between many struggles, it reflects what life is like for the audience, and anyone who lives in the real world, for that matter. Jane may have struggles, but she sees the fulfillments of her dream.

Ultimately, those who live in the real world have the opportunity to escape into a book that isn't just about some perfect fictional character in a far away kingdom. Jane Eyre is about the same world we live in because it presents the struggles many of us face, and the triumphs that even plain Jane can experience. No matter what time you may be reading this novel, the breadth of the archetypes and the imperfections of the characters give you the opportunity to enjoy and relate to this beautifully crafted novel. If you have not had the privilege to read this book, do so at once! You will be rewarded by one of the most enriching and inspiring books out there.

Tough Times.......2007-04-03

This is a really interesting book if you are interested in sad, mystery, and love books. I like this book a lot. It shows that everyone wants to do something, and nothing can block your creative side. It teaches that no matter how cruel someone can be you can still forgive them because hating someone isn't worth it.

Jane Eyre......a real classic.......2007-03-09

Since I had read the book Jane Eyre, I had an urge to see the movie.
I was impressed and fascinated by the classic English language, therefore
my choosing of the actors " Tomothy Dalton & Zelah Clarke ".
A real enjoyment !!!

Average customer rating:

A Haunting Classic
Jane
Timeless Tale
Jane Eyre
Love Story Sublime

Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics)
Charlotte Brontë
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0141441143

Book Description

A new edition of one of Penguin's top ten Classics—the novel that has been “teaching true strength of character for generations”
(The Guardian)

A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre has dazzled generations of readers with its depiction of a woman's quest for freedom. This updated edition features a new introduction discussing the novel's political and magical dimensions.

Having grown up an orphan in the home of her cruel aunt and at a harsh charity school, Jane Eyre becomes an independent and spirited survivor—qualities that serve her well as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him whatever the consequences or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving her beloved?

Customer Reviews:

A Haunting Classic.......2007-08-09

one of my favorite books from the long list of the ol' required high school reading. I fell in love with Jane immediately, though it took a while for me to appreciate the novel on a whole. I came back to the novel again in more recent years, and I have enjoyed it more and more with each read. Having heard it as a book on tape while on bedrest brought the story to life even more and made the mysterious Bertha and the dark and moody Mr. Rochester that much more intense. This is so much more than a romantic tale between an unfortunate governess and her brooding employer; it is truly the story of a young woman coming into her own.

Jane.......2007-07-25

I read this book when I was 13 for an English assignment in school. What can I say other than I loved it all? I when I got through half of the book I couldn't believe my luck that I still had 321 pages of adventures left. It was totally different from all the other books I've ever read -- it was shocking, it was romantic, it was haunting, it was disturbing, it was joyful... It was the story of an orphan, and her trials while she's trying to find herself. It had all different emotions and troubles, and Charlotte Bronte really wrote the book well, taking from her own life experiances. There have been sentences in the book that I have never been able to forget because of the energy and passion that the author wrote into them. "Jane Eyre" can be called a haunting tale about one young woman's conflict between two different worlds. This is certainly a read for everyone.

Timeless Tale.......2007-07-05

I personally resent both the opinion that teenagers cannot appreciate good literature and the notion that all classics are dull. I read this book for the first time at age thirteen and loved it, and as a huge Bronte fan, cannot fathom why so many people I know cast off classics as boring. My only guess is that they have not read them.

I will skip giving a plot overview here. But I will mention that one complaint I have heard frequently is that there is little action in this story. Well, just because our attention spans have decreased drastically because of TV doesn't mean that good books should move just as fast. The beauty of the macabre and ethereal Jane Eyre is not in the plot, though that is also wonderful, but in the descriptions of Jane's own feelings and turmoil and love. She is easy to relate to for women of all ages - who hasn't understood the feeling of wondering where to go with one's life?

I have also heard complaints that there are problems with the edition, especially spelling mistakes (i.e. Rochester calling Jane Janet). This is a pet name. It appears in every edition true to the original text - often, it is taken out to avoid confusing people. Overall, Penguin is a wonderful classics publisher, especially the annotations and footnotes. They explain a lot of the dated references or confusing dialect.

Though I personally would have preferred a bit darker a novel (i.e. Wuthering Heights), I believe this to be one of the timeless classics of English literature and a must-read for everyone, lit major or not.

Jane Eyre.......2007-05-02

After reading Jane Eyre, I was glad to be done with this book. Most women enjoy and appreciate Jane Eyre, but since I am 15 I have a different opinion.

Jane Eyre is 641 pages of a woman trying to find herself. Jane, the main character, goes to a charitable school for 1/4 of the book. During school, nothing really happens. Yes, Jane and her classmates are treated poorly, but it didn't hold my attention. The book does pick up until after Jane leaves school.

From there Jane meets the love of her life, Mr. Rochester. The only thing about their relationship is Jane is 19 or 20 and Mr. Rochester is almost 40. I felt that I could not relate to these characters because today such an age difference is looked down upon by people. Of course Jane and Mr. Rochester plan to get married, but Jane finds out about Mr. Rochester's deepest darkest secret. THEN SHE RUNS AWAY! What a stupid girl. Jane may have been an independent woman, but big deal; so many women today are independent. Is that why so many people love this book? When Jane runs away, this part of Jane Eyre is so unbelievably boring. Jane meets her cousins, but realizes that she still loves Mr. Rochester. Not much happens except Mr. Rochester is blind. Jane and Mr. Rochester get married and live happily ever after.

You might love this book, but as I said before I am only 15 and can not appreciate Jane Eyre, the character and the book. If you are a teenager like me do not read Jane Eyre or even waste your time. Maybe if you are older and found your true love, you might love every minute of this book. I recommend if you are young, read a book that takes place during the present, not the past.

Love Story Sublime.......2007-04-23

There is so much to be said for this novel that it's difficult to know where to begin. It is a superb evocation of a time and place; it is a complex, detailed character study; it has a believable and compelling plot; and, more than anything else, it is a magnificent love story.

Of course, love stories are the common denominator of human existence and have been the subject of literature since mankind first put charcoal to rock, so the fact that Jane Eyre is a love story is nothing terribly significant. No, what makes this novel so special is the thoughtfulness with which its narrator, Jane Eyre herself, documents her love affair. She is extremely intelligent, she carefully analyzes her feelings and actions, and she is scrupulously honest with both herself and her reader. This is what sets it apart: it is the depth of these thoughts and feelings that make the novel interesting. Beyond that, though, it is the character of Jane, slowly revealed, that makes the novel a delight.

The plot is Jane's story. Orphaned, she is sent to live with her cruel aunt and cousins. At the age of ten she is sent away for good to a charity school, at which she gets her education, but which is run in such a miserly fashion that many of the students there actually die of disease and starvation. Jane survives, and at the age of eighteen, is able to secure a position as a governess to a child in a great house of England: Thornfield Hall. It is owned by Edward Rochester, the man who will become the centerpiece of her life.

How the two begin to slowly realize their affection for one another, how they then cautiously begin to act on their feelings, and how they must then surmount the obstacles in their path--both societal and self-inflicted--are what make up the bulk of the novel. There are at least a few surprises along the way. The strong-willed Jane's moral code requires that she respond to these difficulties in certain ways. It is to the novel's and the author's great credit that these decisions are never simply made; Jane agonizes over them in heart-wrenching fashion. As in life, the standards one chooses to live by can be difficult to maintain.

This defining tension is what drives the novel, but that it is delivered in such a skillful and assured way is what raises it to its lofty status. The dialogue, particularly, is fantastic. It is the stuff of an actor's dream: much of it can be interpreted in several different ways. Jane describes Rochester as being moody and tempestuous, and he often is, but at the same time--particularly after Jane agrees to marry him--he is hilariously wry and bemused. Jane comes across as being earnest and pleading, but she can be very playful and is often flirtatious. As mentioned above, these are deep, achingly human characters.

The setting is also very evocative. The English countryside, class system and moral understanding were obviously familiar to those who read the book in Ms. Bronte's day, and probably familiar to many of us in this day and age. Nevertheless, Ms. Bronte took the time to document these things carefully. The descriptions of Rochester's home, the lanes in front if it and its orchards and fields; the destitute and grimly cold school for girls; and the small country town where Jane makes the acquaintance of a small group of benefactors towards the end of the novel are all a testament to life as it existed at this distant time and age.

The novel is looked upon as a classic and should be. Ms. Bronte not only created a beautiful piece having to do with the nature of love--personal to her but universal in nature--but did so in such a spectacular way that she actually makes the reader feel this love, both for her creation, and for her.

Average customer rating:

I love this book
Even better than I remembered
Jane Eyre
Your feeling for Jane Eyre will change everytime you read it.
I enjoyed this so much more the second time around

Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics)
Charlotte Brontë , and Michael Mason
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142437204
Release Date: 2003-02-04

Book Description

Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead and 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 Hall, 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 richer life than that traditionally allowed women in Victorian society.

Edited with an Introduction and Notes by Michael Mason

Customer Reviews:

I love this book.......2007-07-05

I read "Jane Eyre" because I'd had for a long time some vague sense that I'd like Jane Eyre as a character. And I was entirely right. I don't think I've ever quite connected so well with a character before - and I've never before understood so clearly why people still read great literature - because it still resonates, like "Jane Eyre," over 150 years after it was written. The book begins slowly, and the plot hinges on coincidence, but that aside the book is well worth 450+ pages.

Even better than I remembered.......2007-06-19

I first read this in high school (oh, gosh...25 years ago!). I remember liking it then, though at the time I think I preferred Emily's Wuthering Heights. But as another reviewer mentioned, classic books really should be re-read from time to time. In some ways I think they're wasted on the young! Now I find Wuthering Heights a good story, though a bit melodramatic. However, reading Jane Eyre again, in my forties, I realize what an unusual book it is. On the surface, it has many of the standard plot devices of Victorian novels: a mistreated orphan, a romantic setting, a brooding romantic interest. But Charlotte Bronte's deft touch lifts this above the ordinary. She uses Jane to cry out against all the injustice she saw in the world. She addresses religious hypocrisy, women's rights, and the mistreatment of children, among other things. And it's a very good read. I find I am staying up late at night because I want to read on, rather than go to bed.

Jane Eyre.......2007-05-16

It was okay but a little dry reading. But the price you had was excellent. Going to college after all of these years I have to watch my pennies.

Your feeling for Jane Eyre will change everytime you read it........2007-04-14

This wonderful story should be read at the very least every 10 years or so, starting in adolescence. Your feelings about this story, especially Rochester, will change every time you read it.
Adolescence: Why does Jane love him, he's so old!
20's: Jane, MUST you flee temptation?
30"s: Run, Jane, Run!: Perhaps Rochester DROVE Bertha to the looney bin!
40's: Rochester improves on acquaintance--Masculine, Moody and Magnificent! (A complex person, a good man in a bad situation)
Seriously, although it is rarely mentioned, I was struck by the Biblical and religious references and overtones of this book. Charlotte Bronte, as a clergyman's daughter, sure knew the Bible. And contrary to popular opinion, religious people understand the trials of temptation, perhaps more than most. That is why Jane's struggles with her desires ring true. Although she suffered, her self-respect remained intact. As a modern woman I respect this character's moral uprightness and her strong sense of self--I wish more modern young (and not so young) women would learn from her example, and thus avoid much heartache and regret
"Dread remorse when you are tempted to err, Miss Eyre; remorse is the poison of life.'--Mr. Rochester

I enjoyed this so much more the second time around.......2007-03-30

It's always good to take time to reread those required books from school once you've obtained some years and maturity. This is a lovely and somewhat autobiographical tale of Jane Eyre, orphaned and raised by self-centered and uncaring relatives until they send her off to school. Eventually she is hired as a governess to a young girl and meets the girl's guardian Mr. Rochester, and of course they fall in love and plan to marry. But, there is a mystery about the house that once it is discovered destroys the wedding plans.

A lovely tale, and Bronte has such a wonderful prose that makes you want to slow down and savor it and the story like a fine red wine or chocolate. The version I read is a set with selected works of all the Bronte sisters, so I did not have the distraction of the foot notes to refer to, and I don't feel that I missed much without them.

Highly highly recommended, one that should be taken off the shelf and reread every couple of years or so.

Average customer rating:

The only edition to buy
Great book..Recommend to all
Wonderfully written...
One of the Greatest Books
A wonderful novel

Jane Eyre (Norton Critical Editions)
Charlotte Bronte
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0393975428

Book Description

The text reprinted in this new edition is that of the 1848 third edition text-the last text corrected by the author. b>Contexts includes eighteen new selections and two new subsections: "Charlotte and Jane's Illustrated Book"-which includes a letter from Brontë to her publisher W. S. Williams; "Vignettes from Bewick"; and "Charlotte Brontë and Bewick's 'British Birds'"-and "Charlotte Brontë as Governess," which includes letters to Emily Brontë, Ellen Nussey, W. S. Williams, and "The Governess-Grinders." Criticism collects six major essays on Jane Eyre, four of them new to the Third Edition. Contributors include Adrienne Rich, Sandra M. Gilbert, Jerome Beaty, Lisa Sternlieb, Jeffrey Sconce, and Donna Marie Nudd. A new Chronology and updated Selected Bibliography are also included.

About the Series: No other series of classic texts equals the caliber of the Norton Critical Editions. Each volume combines the most authoritative text available with the comprehenive pedagogical apparatus necessary to appreciate the work fully. Careful editing, first-rate translation, and thorough explanatory annotations allow each text to meet the highest literary standards while remaining accessible to students. Each edition is printed on acid-free paper and every text in the series remains in print. Norton Critical Editions are the choice for excellence in scholarship for students at more than 2,000 universities worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

The only edition to buy.......2006-08-29

This review is aimed more toward the Norton edition than to JANE EYRE. We all know this is a classic. Bronte was simply a genius and a harbinger of romantic, dramatic, gothic, and horror writing. (However, it still irks me that she couldn't end a simple sentence with a period. Every declarative statement, it seems, must be qualified with a colon or semi-colon. Oh well. Sign of the times.)

As for the Norton edition, it's the only one to buy. Bronte makes the assumption that you have read the Bible cover-to-cover a zillion times, and for those of us who have not read it through once, Norton's annotations are more than helpful---they're essential to understanding the novel's Christian allusions. This edition also provides the reader with critical essays, contexts of Bronte's life, Bronte's reactions to critics of her day, etc.

Bottom line: you can get the Dover Thrift edition for a couple bucks, but, if you are interested in giving this classic more than a cursory read, this edition is worth the extra money.

Great book..Recommend to all.......2005-11-20

I think Bronte's 'Jane Eyre', as well as an excellent read, provides a brilliant insight for todays readers, into the life of 'misfits' in the 19th century. Jane is a poor, plain, governess who throughout her life struggles to belong somewhere, have some sort of position in society. She had no family, therefore when she discovered cousins in Mary, Diana and St.John, she willingly gave them each 5,000 pounds out of her inheritance. Jane is a strong woman who fights to maintain her moral and religious values even though tempted several times to put them aside. Jane seeks emotional fulfillment and detests society's idea of marriage (marriage for material wealth, political power, position etc). Rochester is Jane's intellectual equal and therefore she agrees to marry him, until she realises he has almost tricked her into a bigamus marriage. Then she must flee Thornfield in order to maintain her values and self-respect. Only when she has her own financial independence and no longer needs to be Rochesters mistress, can she return to him and marry him. He is now actually dependent on her for vision and other things because he has lost the use of one of his hands. Jane Eyre is a satisfying novel that gives women inspriration to stand up for their rights and not be submissive because some men consider them inferiors. Jane teaches women to value themselves. I think in writing this fantastic novel, Bronte had sent out an excellent message to those who believe women should be controlled by men and Jane was the perfect protagonist to get this message across.

Wonderfully written..........2005-01-21

This was a great book for me to read. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The characters were well developed and the whole book was written very well. I couldn't put it down for so long. It is definitely one of my new favorites. I recommend it to anyone!

One of the Greatest Books.......2003-11-23

A must read for everyone!

A wonderful novel.......2002-12-09

Jane Eyre is justifiably held as one of the best books in print! I selected it because it is recommended in the Lifetime Reading Program and am certainly pleased that I did. Read it, every word, and you will be caught up in the very thoughts of Jane. After, rent the A&E movie version which is much truer to the plot than the other version. Feel free to weep with joy at the end. I did.

Average customer rating:

Well performed reading of a Gothic classic

Jane Eyre (The Classic Collection)
Charlotte Bronte
Manufacturer: Brilliance Audio on CD Unabridged
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 159600939X
Release Date: 2005-05-25

Book Description

After a sad and neglected childhood as an orphan, Jane Eyre was hired by Edward Rochester as governess for his ward. Jane was pleased with the quiet country life at Thornfield, with the beautiful old manor house and gardens, with the book-filled library, and with her own comfortable room.

But there were stories of a strange tenant, a woman who laughed like a maniac, and who stayed in rooms on the third floor. The moody Rochester, however, rebuffed her attempts to find out about the woman, and ordered her to keep quiet about strange noises she heard at night.

One night in the garden, Edward Rochester embraced Jane and proposed marriage. But the quiet ceremony in the village church was shockingly halted by a stranger who claimed that Rochester was already married - to the raving maniac Jane had heard crying in the house.

Grief-stricken, Jane left Thornfield, feeling that her life was over before it had really begun. But life had many surprises in store for our heroine, and among them there just might be a happily-ever-after.

Customer Reviews:

Well performed reading of a Gothic classic.......2007-01-25

Reading any Bronte work requires the rare ability to speak in both a refined and musical woman's English accent, and immediately switch to the voice of a commanding and brooding male who likes to throw things.

Susan Erickson is up to the challenge. Her fitting voice and intonation naturally rise and fall between Jane's contrasting Victorian reserve and fiery passion. Whereas some reader's tones obviously change between cuts, Erickson's are seemless. Her speed and diction make the story very clear.

This unabridged performance seems to sell for cheaper than the others, but that is not because the performance is lacking.

Technical issues: Each CDs track number goes up to around 97, 98, or 99. Though this makes skipping back easy when your listening to it in the car, it might reek havoc on your MP3 player. The box is thin cardboard, and the CD's come in thin paper sleeves.

Dont Get Mad - Get Even: The Fine Art Of Revengemanship

Average customer rating:

Not good reading for Americans
Poorly written, don't waste your time and money
Vengeance is ours, saith the goddesses
Hilarious just think about it.

Dont Get Mad - Get Even: The Fine Art Of Revengemanship
Jane Inder , and Hilary Eyre
Manufacturer: Paladin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0873647963

Book Description

Stop being mad as hell. Start striking back! An outrageous compilation of nasty payback techniques, devilishly devious tricks and fiendishly clever plots, schemes, pranks and stunts, this master tome of revengemanship arms you with the skills you need to turn the game of getting even into an art form. For entertainment purposes only.

Customer Reviews:

Not good reading for Americans.......2006-07-24

The authors of this book are obviously from England. Some of the pranks they recommend might be fine there, but here they will land you in jail. Revenge carried out throught the U. S. Mail carries federal penalties and are not a good idea.

I believe Amazon should discontinue this book.

Poorly written, don't waste your time and money.......2006-01-17

This is the worst book I have ever read in my life. No matter how much they emphasize it is "for entertainment purpose only", they still should not get away with the tactless, thoughtless, and superficial revenge ideas. this is a book that I would definitely return -- it does not earn itself a place on my shelf. I wonder why it could be published in the first place. They did not even do a good job in their writings ---grammatical mistakes pop up from place to place. Not that I am terribly concern with grammar, but at least, writers are expected to write proper English.

Vengeance is ours, saith the goddesses.......2002-09-29

Quick, think of a man who wants to get even with a woman that he feels has wronged him. What are the images that come to mind?

Obsessed crazed nut, stalker, psychopath, potential terrorist, murderer, rapist. Get a gun and shoot him in self-defense. Or, at the very least, his desire for revenge is seen as just another example of the boorish childishness of men.

Quick, think of a woman who wants to get even with a man that she feels has wronged her. What are the images that come to your mind?

Wronged woman getting even with a "jerk". Blackmail him. Expose the skeletons in his closet. Kick him.... Female-on-male revenge is always righteous and it sure is "fun". It's the staple of many works of entertainment; just look at all the members of the gentler sex in the theater cheering on Jennifer Lopez as she throttles a man to death. A generation ago, their mothers cheered on Ali McGraw for much the same thing.

A woman's desire to get even with a man isn't dangerous or childish, of course; it's just proof that you can't keep a good woman down.

Yes, a little study of the revenge industry shows it heavily steeped in femi-sexism, and this book, written by two Englishwomen, Jane Inder and Hilary Eyre, is no different.

"Hilary" is certainly an appropriate first name for an author of a revenge book, and to the extent that the male/female dichotomy is discussed, Jane and Hilary seem to design their commentary with the assumption that they are addressing a wronged woman justifiably desiring revenge against a male jerk.

For that matter, the discussion doesn't center exclusively on relationships. The authoresses gleefully repeat the Greek myth of how Artemis, the goddess of hunting and chastity, turns the hunter Actaeon into a stag and sics his own dogs on him to eat him alive. Actaeon's capital crime was that of having ogled Artemis while she was bathing naked. Punishable by mutilation and death, of course.

Obviously, life hasn't changed much since the days of ancient Greese. Women still regard themselves as goddesses, and they still regard male sexuality as a capital offense.

Still, the authors don't recommend this or any other violent method as a means of getting even; for that matter, they don't recommend that any of the "revenge" schemes that they discuss ever actually be used. The book has the expected disclaimer that these schemes are all being suggested "for entertainment purposes only". Of course.

To be honest, these authors seem a little more self-conscious of their femi-sexism than are others of their ilk. Once in a while, they allow for the concept of a wronged man. Or the bitchy co-worker. And not all revenge schemes stem from the male/female dichotomy anyway. The stuffy bureaucrat, the neighbor who lets his dogs and cats poop over your lawn, and the troublesome supervisor, could be of any gender and so could the one wanting revenge against them.

But the book also suffers from Anglocentrism. Apparently Londoners themselves, Jane & Hillary assume that all of their readers are English, a naïve assumption in the global electronic village that we now live in. Admittedly, this was less true in 1994 when this book was published. Still, if you are going to run a newspaper ad for a lost dog in the name of your target, it's useful to know that the most common dog breeds in the UK are German Shepards, Labradors, and Jack Russells, but only if you live in the UK. What about the revenge-fantasy-minded American, Canadian, or Australian?

I can't help but admire the twist on the old pizza trick though. Ordering a pizza to be delivered to a total stranger, just to play a prank on the pizza parlor, is ancient and pointless, and the pizza parlor these days insists on a call-back phone number to double-check. On the other hand, posting leaflets all over town giving your target's telephone number and advertising 24-hour delivery of discount pizzas is a stroke of brilliance.

But in large part, the schemes in this book smack of a great deal of naivete. They assume that you have access to your target's home or office or telephone or automobile. , what if your target lives out of town?

And they assume that you ALREADY know of your target's most embarrassing secrets. One who already has such access or such knowledge can probably come up with his own imaginative revenge schemes and doesn't need a book such as this to suggest them. And after the damage is done, how could one with such access or knowledge maintain a pretense of innocence anyway?

Besides, I think that the Internet effectively does away with personally-crafted revenge schemes. Why should anyone go to a great deal of time, effort, and expense to develop such schemes now? The cyber-head has enough knowledge at his disposal to make miserable the lives of others from his terminal.

And for about 20 bucks, the rest of us can visit any number of revenge-theme web pages, punch in our credit card numbers, and from the safety and comfort of our living rooms, order a melted box of candy or a dead fish to be anonymously delivered to our target. No fuss, no muss (not on our end) and quite possibly, not even illegal.

Your target might know or suspect that it was you, but she (heh-heh; assuming a female target) can't prove it.

Or if we just want to fantasize about doing that sort of thing, that certainly isn't illegal or costly.

Horns may protrude from my head and bloodthirsty hunting dogs may bay at my door. But secure in my anonymity, I give the Witches of London three stars for effort and deduct one star for femi-sexism.

Hilarious just think about it........2001-01-26

Beautifully funny and hilarious tricks. In my mind I could just imagine how these tricks could be applied to friends family or people you don't like. Great entertainment.

Thornfield Hall: Jane Eyre's Hidden Story

Average customer rating:

OY!!!
Totally enjoyable
Why does author bother?
I wish I give it zero stars!
don't bother with this hack job

Thornfield Hall: Jane Eyre's Hidden Story
Emma Tennant
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0061239887
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Book Description

Adele, the daughter of a celebrated Parisian actress, is a homesick, forlorn eight-year-old when first brought to Thornfield Hall by Edward Fairfax Rochester, her mother's former lover. Lonely and ill at ease in the unfamiliar English countryside, she longs to return to the glitter of Paris . . . and to the mother who has been lost to her.

But a small ray of sunshine brightens her eternal gloom when a stranger arrives to care for her—a serious yet intensely loving young governess named Jane Eyre—even as young Adele's curiosity leads her deeper into the shadowy manor, toward the dark and terrible secret that is locked away in a high garret. . . .

Includes fascinating in-depth background material about Charlotte Brontë and the Jane Eyre legacy

Customer Reviews:

OY!!!.......2007-07-26

I received this book from a friend of mine who knew that Jane Eyre was one of my favorite books...and it is only out of love for her that I finished it....

The idea of story of Jane Eyre being told through Adèle's perspective, at first, absolutely delighted me. But I had assumed that Emma Tennant would have at least STUCK TO Charlotte Bronte's story!

You start to read it and begin to note the creative liberties and changes that the author made; they start small only startling you a little, making you wonder where the author's twists intend to take you. Then it just becomes ridiculously laughable. LAUGH OUT LOUD laughable!

It is a very 'creative' story and an easy read (if your stomach can take it). I only recommend this people who read Jane Eyre a loooooong loooong time ago, and only vaguely recollect events and names....it will put the reader in the same frame of mind that the author was in.

Totally enjoyable.......2007-05-15

If you ever wondered what little Adele is all about, this is a great read! Easy read and I read in almost one sitting.

Why does author bother?.......2007-02-22

I picked this book up because I love Jane Eyre and had a renewed interest after seeing the excellent Masterpiece Theatre version last month. Emma Tennant has written a few sequels to Pride and Prejudice which were terrible, but I thought I'd give her yet another chance. This book was so bad, I didn't even finish it. Too many narrators, characters inconsistent with the source material, idiotic storylines, etc., etc.

Don't waste your money.

I wish I give it zero stars!.......2007-02-21

Yuck. This was terrible. First, there were too many narratives from too many people. Second, the original intent of all the characters was totally destroyed. Adele is portrayed as a schemer - even at one point believing she must kill Antoinette (Bertha, I suppose was not a glamourous enough name) because it might reunite her mother with Edward. Mr. Rochester has no redeaming qualities at all - he's an abusive alcoholic. And Jane! She is reduced to a simpleton who is oblivious to the world around her. Adele, who in the original book adored Jane as the only person who showed her kindness, says of Jane that she has a "banality of mind." Don't even get me started on Mrs. Fairfax!!!! Then there are the plot lines that are started, but never finished. Like the appearance of a brother somewhere at the end and endless streams of her mother's lovers and friends. I kept reading in the hopes it would improve, but it didn't. I guess I'm just glad that I got this book on the bargain shelf for 1/3 of the price listed. The bookstore obviously knew something I didn't!

don't bother with this hack job.......2007-01-23

Ugh, I gave this "book" one star because you can't give no stars, but that does not for one minute mean I think this piece of schlock excuse for a book has any merit whatsoever. Why do people write companion novels to great classics if they are going to change the author's original premise? Or in this case, crap all over it.
Many people compare this novel to "Wide Sargasso Sea" and while I have never liked that either, because I feel that Jean Rhys also misrepresented Charlotte Bronte's original intention, at least that book has the distinction of good writing. This one isn't good, in any way. There is simply not enough room to enumerate the faults of this book, but the other reviews have done an admirable job of listing them: Rochester's brutality, the constant insulting of Jane by Adele, the normality of "Antoinette" (it's always rankled me that Rhys called her that, in the original she is Bertha, why pretty her up by calling her her middle name?) The murderous insanity of Mrs. Fairfax, as kind and benign a creature as was ever invented in fiction, the ludicrous murder mystery later in the book when Bertha's body is found in a shallow grave. And the last hilariously awful plot twist about Celine being pregnant by both the Viscount and Rochester. I mean, maybe, just maybe, a pregnancy by two men is possible if you happen to release two eggs and have sex with two men all at the same time, but really, would you be able to spot the differences in the fraternal twins so exactly as to know who to hit up for child support?????
The whole book is so ridiculous, I can't even believe someone published it. Avoid it, taking a nap would be more productive than reading this.

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Jane Eyre
Charlotte Bronte
Manufacturer: Wildside Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0809598949

Book Description

He ran headlong at me: I felt him grasp my hair and my shoulder: he had closed with a desperate thing. I really saw in him a tyrant, a murderer. I felt a drop or two of blood from my head trickle down my neck, and was sensible of somewhat pungent suffering: these sensations for the time predominated over fear, and I received him in frantic sort. I don't very well know what I did with my hands, but he called me "Rat! Rat!" and bellowed out aloud. Aid was near him: Eliza and Georgiana had run for Mrs. Reed, who was gone upstairs: she now came upon the scene, followed by Bessie and her maid Abbot. We were parted: I heard the words -- "Dear! dear! What a fury to fly at Master John!" "Did ever anybody see such a picture of passion!" Then Mrs. Reed subjoined -- "Take her away to the red-room, and lock her in there." Four hands were immediately laid upon me, and I was borne upstairs. I resisted all the way. . . .

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