Jane Eyre (Penguin Classics)

I first read this book when I was probably around 12 years of age - perhaps back in 1986. I loved it then, and it continues to be one of my all-time faves. It is a passionate moody romance that still stirs something deep within me every time I open it's well-worn, heartily-loved pages. I usually read it at least once a year to savor again the amazing lines and passionate speeches between Jane and Mr. Rochester.

It's a book that never fails to capture my soul...

Whether you are reading critically or just letting it flow for enjoyment, the life of Jane Eyre is fascinating. If you know that it started as what we would contemporarily call a character study fanfiction of Jane Fairfax from Jane Austen's Emma you can see all the little references and curiousities. If not, you get to see what brought the English gentry to almost ban the book for its morality. I love and hate alongside Jane in the best ways!

I've read this at least 10 times

I wish I could remember it better, but I recall being surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Definitely worth picking up.

Mixed feelings. I was not impressed when I read this in high school. When I reread it over 20 years later I appreciated it much more. The writing is of the passionate Jane Austen style, Mr. Rochester is the ultimate in romantic bad boys, and the character of Jane Austen is simultaneously relatable and inspirational— no small trick.

But since I am familiar with Jane Austen now, Jane Eyre (pub 1847) feels a little derivative of Pride and Prejudice (pub 1813), especially the awful cousin theme. Is there any meaningful difference between the cold soul of Mr. Collins and St. John Rivers? Also, I found the entire coincidence of Jane Eyre stumbling into her cousin by coincidence nearly unforgivable.

Final decision: Mr. Rochester, liar though he is, is worth it. Jane Eyre's character development is also worth it.