Product Description

A new edition of one of Penguin’s top ten Classics—the novel that has been “teaching true strength of character for generations”
(The Guardian)

A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre has dazzled generations of readers with its depiction of a woman’s quest for freedom. This updated edition features a new introduction discussing the novel’s political and magical dimensions.

Having grown up an orphan in the home of her cruel aunt and at a harsh charity school, Jane Eyre becomes an independent and spirited survivor—qualities that serve her well as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him whatever the consequences or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving her beloved?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1160 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 624 pages

Review
I go back to [Jane Eyre] so often and it was one of the first books that made me think, ‘This is me, in some deep way.’ (Suzanne Vega)

About the Author
Charlotte Brontë (1816–1855), one of four surviving children of a clergyman, worked as a governess and teacher and wrote four novels.

Stevie Davies is a novelist, critic, and historian. She is director of creative writing at the University of Wales at Swansea.

Customer Reviews

Story of Fire and Ice
Jane Eyre is a story about passion and love and basically finding oneself. I didn't necessarily like or dislike it, but there were parts of it that I liked and disliked. I thought that Jane was a powerful character who was striving to find happiness in a world made of compromised beliefs and manipulative people. She was faced with many obstacles and decisions that would probably decipher the rest of her life, whether it came to leaving places she could call home or people she could call family she always had to do what she thought was best for her, even if it meant being faced with a situation she did not exactly want to be in.

I found that this book can be related to Robert Frost's poem called `Fire and Ice'. A lot of the characters depicted cold and hot characteristics and if you personify his poem, out of it you can retrieve that some people have hot, or passionate personalities, and that some people have cold, or disrupting personalities. He relates fire to desire, or a burning passion such as what Jane had for Rochester and vice versa, and he relates ice to destruction since it can have just as big of an effect as fire can.

I liked the fact that she was such a strong character who, even though she seemed to have a cold shield surrounding her, you could sense her passion for life and love and beliefs. In every book there are situations or things that happen hat you don't particularly like or agree with, and there were many instances in the book that I did not necessarily like, but then something would turn around and something good would happen and it will keep you interested. I would definitely recommend reading this compelling novel.

Jane Eyre
Sublime. One of the best books I've ever read. The voice of Jane is powerful
and the plot is intriquing. A very bold adventure for the author given the times she lived in - exploring themes of freedom of choice of a husband, career options for women, women's rights etc. Very absorbing and thoroughly entertaining. Five stars.

Better than I expected
This novel was quite a bit better than I expected. I usually prefer adventures ("manly" literature) but quite frankly, this book didn't disappoint me. I don't give it 5 stars for the convoluted way that Jane and Rochester get back together. The "I heard your voice in the wind" stuff is a little hard to swallow. (Sorry if that was a spoiler! Still read the book because there are some true heart-pounding moments!) Jane Eyre was actually quite enjoyable to read and I'm glad that I took the time to read it. I like her character: She's not beautiful, but she's a solid and determined woman and I like that her inner beauty overcomes her physical plainness. She's a role model for young girls! She overcomes adversity with strength and determination and has an accurate moral compass. She follows her inner voice and she's rewarded for it. Great female literary character of the 19th century!