Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Reviewed by Ambrea

Orphaned as a child, nurtured under the harsh, exacting care of her aunt and the cold, disconsolate atmosphere of Lowood School, Jane Eyre grows into a young woman and eventually becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall.  Finally free of her discontented past, Jane quickly becomes a dynamic fixture in the manor—which does not escape the notice of Thornfield’s dark, brooding master, Mr. Rochester.  But falling in love with the bachelor aristocrat is only the beginning for young Jane, because something frightening lurks through the halls of Thornfield and it will threaten her relationships, his passions, and even her very existence.

Since reading Jane Eyre, I am an ardent fan of Charlotte Brontë and her work.  Jane is a spectacular character:  brave, eloquent, passionate and independent, she is a force with which to be reckoned.  Although she often appears quiet and reserved, Jane never inherits a meek exterior or a weakness of character.  She’s bright, she’s daring, and she’s thoughtful, encountering dangers that would make a lesser woman swoon.  She has an unwavering faith that all will be well.

More importantly, she weaves a fascinating and gripping tale about her life.  The first few chapters trudge along at a snail’s pace, taking a great deal of time to build and culminate into decisions that will change young Jane Eyre’s life; however, once I became invested in her remarkable story, I found it a simple matter to become lost in her candid recollections, which started to sound more and more like a daring adventure story than a retrospective narrative.

Although coincidences seem to pile up on one another by the concluding chapters of Jane Eyre, I remained enraptured by Jane’s storytelling.  Her candor is striking and refreshing.  She isn’t a shrinking violet, rather she is bold and forthright, certain in what she believes and what she wants.  She won’t compromise her values, her beliefs, or herself, not even for her love of Rochester—which makes her an extraordinary heroine and makes Jane Eyre an extraordinary story.