Book Blurb: Jane Eyre

Part of the beauty of literature is that it opens up doors and windows to us, enlarging our understanding and experience. C.S. Lewis says “in reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself.” Reading classic literature gives us eyes to see not only the worlds created by the authors, but also other time periods and cultures each with different ways of viewing the world.

One of my personal literary heroes is the character Jane Eyre from the novel of the same name by Charlotte Bronte. Jane’s fortitude stands out as she contends with many harsh and difficult circumstances. Jane is a strong, witty, and endearing heroine; at times directly addressing the reader. As modern readers we may question some of her life choices because Jane is from another time, culture, and place. Bronte presents a story full of trials, suffering, heartbreak, and ultimately one of redemption. We feel her pain, her humiliation, her mistreatment, and her triumphs along the way. The gothic conventions add to the mystery and tension in the novel, as we encounter an old manor, dark secrets, supernatural events, intense dreams, and heightened emotions. It is not only a mystery and a romance, but also a coming-of-age novel.

Although Jane Eyre was published in 1847, nearly two hundred years ago, in England, Bronte’s story remains relevant as we follow Jane’s humble beginnings and watch her grow and develop, slowly coming into her own. Since it’s in the public domain, you can easily find a free copy online or purchase one of the many published editions. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend the audio version performed by actress Thandie Newton. Let me leave you with Bronte’s opening line setting Jane’s journey in motion: “There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.”