Jane Eyre

I’ll start my backlog of book reviews with Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.  I read this in part because of my quest to read as many “classics” as possible, in part because the plot played a role in the next book I read (The Eyre Affair - book review to follow), and in part because it fulfills a book challenge category by being part of the BBC Big Read list.

If you don’t already know the story here’s a quick plot synopsis (or as quick of one as I can manage).  And although you’ve had 165 years or so to read the book for yourself, this review does contain spoilers.

Jane Eyre is a young orphan living with her aunt (the wife of her late uncle) after both of her parents pass away.  She is subjected to both mental and physical abuse by her aunt and cousins, who treat her like a slave.  Eventually young Jane is sent off to an all-girls boarding school.  At first she finds the harsh discipline and meager provisions difficult, but she eventually excels and becomes a teacher at the school.  At the age of 18 Jane decides to leave the school and finds work as the governess of the ward (read:  illegitimate child) of Mr. Edward Rochester of Thornfield Hall.  Jane finds herself falling for Mr. Rochester (more than twice her age – that cradle robber), despite his impending marriage to a wealthy young woman.  But as luck would have it Mr. Rochester also has feelings for Jane and he proposes marriage and she accepts.  Unfortunately the wedding is thwarted when it's revealed that Mr. Rochester is already married to another woman, one who is start raving mad and locked in the attic of Thornfield.  Mr. Rochester attempts to persuade Jane to remain his mistress, but she runs away from Thornfield and after wandering aimlessly in the countryside and nearly starving, she eventually finds refuge with a clergyman and his sisters.  Improbably they end up being Jane’s cousins, and even more improbably Jane soon learns her long lost uncle has died and left her all his wealth.  She insists on sharing with her newfound cousins (such a generous soul is our Jane), and St. John (the clergyman cousin) asks her to be his wife (never the bridesmaid, always the bride) and go to India with him as a missionary.  Rather than find herself in India with a man she doesn’t love, Jane runs back to Thornfield only to find that Mrs. Rochester (the crazy one) burned it to the ground before jumping to her death.  Mr. Rochester attempted to save her, but in the process lost a hand and his eyesight.  Jane (never swayed) tracks Mr. Rochester down to his secluded cabin and they renew their love affair and get married (because he can now that his wife is dead).  The end.

I would say that Jane Eyre was a good story, but not a great one.  My two main problems with the book were the improbable coincidences (hooray, Jane is rich now and doesn’t need to worry about anything) and the love affair between Jane and Edward, which I never really bought.  The book tries to make it seem like Edward and Jane are deeply in love and meant for each other, but I think this was told more than shown.  Why exactly did Jane fall for him?  Because he was the first adult male she ever really met?  To me he came across as a bit of a jackass, taking advantage of a teenager who was in his employment.  I’m sure this was a more shocking novel in its day, but it was only ok for me.  I did enjoy the mystery behind the strange happenings around Thornfield (which ended up being the crazy Mrs. Rochester), but having been subjected to the 2010 movie by Mrs., I already knew the plot, which might have taken away some of the surprise.

Mrs. would be happy to know that compared to another 19^th century female artist’s work (and Mrs. favorite), Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, I much preferred P&P, and would definitely read another Austen novel before another Bronte.

Next up:  The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde