Jane Eyre

One of the most famous books written by the Brontë sisters, Jane Eyre is definitely a book to remember with its truthful narrative and complex love.

Lonely and disliked, Jane Eyre is forced to endure the cold charity of her aunt while a child, and also at the Lowood school for orphans. Shunned as she is, Jane is kept faithful to God by the strong beliefs of her friend, Helen Burns, who helps Jane overcome her childish anger at all who mistreat her. The memory of this dear friend helps Jane throughout her life as she falls in love with her bitter employer, Mr Rochester, and when she uncovers his horrific secret. Should Jane forget Christianity in the name of love or leave everyone she loves in the name of God and righteousness?

This book, although about love and Christianity, is also about a young woman’s search for freedom on her own terms, as well as respect for herself.

Overall, Jane Eyre is a brilliant book to read, one you cannot stop thinking about until you have reached the end, but in a few parts the story can get a bit dreary as this book is a slow one which demands patience in the reader. Also, it is confusing to start off with as it jumps straight into the story without any introduction or explanation of what is happening but this is sorted out a few pages in as the narrative becomes clearer. Jane Eyre is a very truthful novel as it has lots of similarities with the actual life of the author, Charlotte Brontë. Both women were enrolled at schools and afterwards becoming teachers there. Charlotte is also writing about her own experiences when she talks about being a governess as she was with two different families as a governess before she gave up and left.

Full of strange surprises and truth, Jane Eyre is definitely a must-read and deserves all the recognition people give it.

Emilia Stonebanks