Kristie
Novel turned into BBC miniseries
"If a book is well written, I always find it too short."
Posts: 7,214
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Post by Kristie on Jul 27, 2007 10:59:20 GMT -5
I just finished this book. I must say that it was interesting, but somewhat dull for me at the same time. The beginning part of Jane being a child--it was too long for me. I kept hoping for the next chapter to be the one skipping some years and continuing. When Jane left the school to teach Adele, that's when it finally got me more interested.
I definitely liked Jane's character because she was so deep and serious. The way Bronte wrote her, I truly felt like Jane was a real person. I liked Mr. Rochester as well and, while I expected it a little, the lunatic wife was a good twist. The only character I really didn't care for was St. John because, while his intentions were good, he was too pushy and almost arrogant. (That could just be the fact that he thought the only way Jane would get to heaven would be to do his bidding, but who knows.)
Of all the classic novels I've read, Jane Eyre is definitely not close to the top favourites. In fact, it's just above the bottom (The Three Musketeers) for similar reasons: length that could've probably been cut and the book would still be alright; length that made it, while interesting, somewhat dull.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Jul 27, 2007 11:51:04 GMT -5
It makes sense that Jane would seem like a real person since she's practically an autobiographical character - right after I read Jane Eyre I picked up a copy of Elizabeth Gaskell's "Life of Charlotte Brontë" and it helped me appreciate the novel even more by knowing that so much of what happens in the story was inspired by Brontë's own life and feelings.
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neh
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"I live in two worlds; one is a world of books"
Posts: 943
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Post by neh on Jul 27, 2007 18:31:34 GMT -5
I've been meaning to read Gaskell's work for a while now, as i have been reading on-and-off another Charlotte bio called "A Passionate Life', which challanges and questions of a good deal fo what Gaskell said and insinuated about her friend, simply due to the mindsets and conventions of the time. I'd love to compare and contrast two visions of her. I'm hoping that the 06 BBC adaptation will FINALLY be on Aussie tv soon, coz i really want the dvd. I have the entire thing on my iPod but it's just not the same.... anyways, don't know where that came from, sorry! The novel did get a tad tedious for me at times i think but no specific moments that i can recall... i do wish more time could have been spent with Jane and Mr R after the fire, before he twoddled off and brought back Blanche Ingram and the crew and all that jazz, but oh well.
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Isa
Administrator
Posts: 6,995
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Post by Isa on Jul 27, 2007 19:04:17 GMT -5
yeah, I know what you mean Neh, you can tell there were parts where Gaskell sort of autocensorized herself, but the basic elements are there and it's a very interesting read. Sometimes it's good to fall back on biographies that really reflect the period - I'm thinking about Carol Shields's biography of Jane Austen, it was a very enjoyable read but some of the ideas were clearly too modern to reflect Jane's real life, whether you like it or not.
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neh
Collection of short stories published by an independent editor
"I live in two worlds; one is a world of books"
Posts: 943
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Post by neh on Jul 27, 2007 20:38:47 GMT -5
Good point, good point. Probably a mix of both types - a modern perspective and one from around the same time as the subject in question - is the best way to get a well-rounded view of the person, and as such i shall definately read Gaskell's sometime. It's nice to know that even then, Charlotte had a mate who was not only a celebrated author herself, but who felt Charlotte's achievements worthy of a bio.
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bookishgirl
First piece published in the school’s newspaper
"Love all. Trust few. Do wrong to no one." --Skakespeare
Posts: 74
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Post by bookishgirl on Jan 31, 2009 16:01:29 GMT -5
oh i loved Jane Eyre! it was so wonderful and Jane is very relatable in many ways. i always love characters who you can relate to so well.
the Bronte sisters are amazing!
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Post by Hanna on Sept 8, 2009 14:16:51 GMT -5
Has anyone read Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys? I just heard that she linked it to Jane Eyre, kind of writing the story of Bertha...
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Sept 8, 2009 17:40:10 GMT -5
I think there is a thread somewhere on it.
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Post by Hanna on Sept 9, 2009 2:06:51 GMT -5
Ok, thanks!
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Post by Dominique on Sept 9, 2009 19:22:44 GMT -5
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Post by Hanna on Sept 11, 2009 3:02:25 GMT -5
Thanks, Dom!
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demie
First poem written for Mother’s Day
Posts: 17
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Post by demie on Sept 26, 2009 10:09:50 GMT -5
this summer my goal was to read all novels by charlotte and emily bronte. well last year i had 3 classes about victorian era- that is "victorian novel", "jane austen" and "victorian poetry"- and i really appreciated its writers and novels. even though i didn't read "villette" i think that the one that made me the greatest impression was JANE EYRE!!
i think that she was very revolutionnary for her era and very different from jane austen since 1. the girl saves the man(jane helps mr.rochester) 2. she refuses a marriage that she considers wrong and unethical 3.bronte underlined the destruction of the family (her aunt and cousins) and the aristocratic mind(mr.rochester is not the idealhusband) 4. even though there is a happy ending with the reunion of mr.rochester and jane, this is not exactly a typical end if you consider that rochester is blind, armless and not in a very good physical position.
maybe my professor in jane austen class has influenced me a lot since she always compared the two writers and always underlined how superior bronte was.
anyway when i finished jane eyre i had a feeling of happiness and satisfaction like i accomplished something important. i think jane eyre is really inspirational and teaches us that women have power and are not weak. especially in our days when pop singers are considered role models.
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Lu
Administrator
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Post by Lu on Sept 28, 2009 2:17:13 GMT -5
Those sound like interesting classes. I agree with your point 4, I wouldn't consider the ending of Jane Eyre as a typical happy ending. I'm not sure about point 2 instead, I personally think Austen's heroines would refuse such a marriage, like Jane Eyre does. I can't say who is superior, but I like Jane Austen better although I really enjoyed Jane Eyre and I do think it's a good book. Villette is on my to-be-read list, have you read Shirley and The professor?
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demie
First poem written for Mother’s Day
Posts: 17
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Post by demie on Sept 28, 2009 3:29:15 GMT -5
oh no! i love jane austen! she is the writer that pushed me when i was 13 to read classic literature! but i talked about bronte and that's why i did this kind of comparison. well about point 2 i didn't compare the two authors.i just said what i admired in bronte's novel . yes i read shirley and the professor and reread jane eyre and wuthering heights(from a different perspective this time). shirley was okay but the professor a bit boring and tiring but more realistic. villette is on my list too but now i am in a more dickens mood and i want to read "hard times".
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Michelle
First novel published
Posts: 2,563
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Post by Michelle on Sept 28, 2009 8:45:24 GMT -5
I'm not sure about point 2 instead, I personally think Austen's heroines would refuse such a marriage, like Jane Eyre does. Like Elizabeth Bennett.
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