Jane Eyre (Easy Classics)

Written by Charlotte Brontë and Stephanie Baudet

Narrated by Rachel Beresford

An illustrated adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic – at an easy-to-read level for readers of all ages!
Plain and poor, Jane Eyre has always been treated unkindly. Her aunt and cousins despise her, and her school is cruel. One day, Jane sets out on her own to be a governess at Thornfield. Here Jane meets Mr Rochester, the serious master of the house.
And there is a strange, eerie laughter coming from the attic …

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet Cherry Publishing
• Release date: Jul 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781782267058

Charlotte Brontë

Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855) was an English novelist and poet, and the eldest of the three Brontë sisters. Her experiences in boarding schools, as a governess and a teacher eventually became the basis of her novels. Under pseudonyms the sisters published their first novels; Charlotte's first published novel, Jane Eyre(1847), written under a non de plume, was an immediate literary success. During the writing of her second novel all of her siblings died. With the publication of Shirley (1849) her true identity as an author was revealed. She completed three novels in her lifetime and over 200 poems.

Reviews for Jane Eyre (Easy Classics)

[andjhostet-527429 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

7/10

Despite the antiquated prose, and the overly descriptive writing style, this was fairly easy to read, and beautifully written. The plot is nothing special, and fairly cliche, but I'm sure it created many of the cliches so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. The characters and relationships were flawed, which made them memorable. I liked the darker, gothic themes that came through, but was hoping for more of that. The ending was a deus ex machina and I can't say I enjoyed it. Actually, most of the plot after Thornhill felt kind of clumsy.

[desiree_reads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

THE GOOD:
Jane is a fully sketched out character. She's a very real personage. One who is sweet when content; and prickly when stressed. She is principled, determined, and feels a strong sense of self worth. I admire her grit, especially when she strikes out alone and penniless to strike a new life, after having her heart broken.

Bronte's use of language and of scene descriptions are very enjoyable. Especially for those who like to dig into meatier prose that is definitely more complex than a beach read or cozy mystery.

THE BAD:
The early chapters with Jane existing unhappily in her aunt's home, and then at Lowood school/orphanage seem unnecessary to the story. These experiences do perhaps help Jane later when she becomes a schoolteacher - to have fellow feeling for her lowborn country students. That said, these chapters could be cut out without losing any trajectory.

It's also strikes me as odd that Jane falls in love with her employer, who is, in reality, the first man in her life, other than her young cousin, who she's ever spent any time with. Almost literally the first man she's ever met. And he is such an unlikable and arrogant man. (I'm not sure if that's how Ms. Bronte saw him or not?) And after learning of Mr. Rochester's plan to include her in his bigamy scheme, Jane still pines for him. (Girl, what is wrong with you?)

THIS EDITION:
A lovely and sturdy leather cover graces this book. The pages are sewn together, rather than glued. These two features combine to create one durable book that can handle multiple readings well.

The purple-hued cover color is a bit bright. But would be great is a purple-accented bedroom or in a row of rainbow-colored books on a shelf.

CONCLUSION:
A classic that's well worth a read. Jane's love and devotion for Mr. Rochester are inspiring. Her character lights up with a soft glow when aligned with his gruff exterior. A sweet, but not yet broaching saccharine, ending. Enjoy!

[judygibson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a remarkable character Jane is! She sticks true to herself no matter what, an example to us all. The story's a tad extreme but good entertainment: romantic/gothic and keeps moving along with twists at every turn.

I read this as a youngster (don't remember how old) and of course couldn't appreciate all the issues. Have now re-read it as part of a public library read-along during coronavirus lockdown and it was a great comfort, something to look forward to each day.

[steve02476 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I surprised myself by how much I enjoyed this story. I love that Jane is such a goody goody and so sarcastic at the same time. Listened to the audiobook and the narrator was wonderful. I think I’m a bit of a romantic sap when it comes down to it.

[jbgusa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this as a high school freshman and still fondly remember.

[steven1958 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The classic tale by Charlotte Brontë of the young orphan who grows up and eventually marries the man of her dreams.Well written and believable characters and beautiful language, kept me reading this classic from 1847.

[akblanchard_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much has already been written about Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel Jane Eyre that it is hard to come up with anything new to say about it. It’s a love story, to be sure, but the first several chapters, before Rochester’s entrance, provide a realistic depiction of the prospects of a friendless Victorian orphan girl. Young Jane knows no security; she is raised by brutally indifferent relatives until they’ve finally had their fill of her, then they send her to a dismal boarding school where students are mistreated and underfed. Through these and other trials, Jane eventually attains everything an orphan girl could dream of. I can’t help but to think of the fates of similarly situated girls who were not blessed by coincidences like Jane was.This novel is well worth reading (or revisiting).

[amzzz_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

20 years ago I was forced to read this book in high school and hated it. This time I found it far more enjoyable and interesting to read. Jane experiences a range of hardships and comes out a likeable character with quite the independent streak considering when the book was written. I still maintain it shouldn’t be on Year 9/10 book lists though!

[murderbydeath · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well, I finally did it. I finally read Jane Eyre. ::bracing myself:: It was okay. I know I'm treading on sacred ground here with many, many fans - and I did like it! I just didn't love it. Not like I love Austen, the most obvious comparison to be made by classic lit neophytes such as myself. I loved the plotting and the story; I loved reading about the path Jane's life took and how she chose to shape her life in spite of circumstances. I loved the dialog between Eyre and Rochester and if I'd gone into this book having never known the first thing about it, I'd have been left gasping at the church along with everyone else. That Charlotte Brontë could write is without question. But the characters.... eeehhhhh.... I'm a character-driven reader, almost to the exclusion of everything else. Or, at least, I can forgive a lot if I like the characters, but I can't forgive much of characters I don't like. Jane Eyre - You can't dislike Jane, can you? I mean, she's not a special snowflake, she's well educated, she's willing to work, and she stands up for herself... eventually. But her need to please, to be loved, her starvation for affection... while they all came from a very understandable place, it was hard to respect her at times. Eyre (as narrator) makes a very astute observation early in the book when she says, looking back, that her Aunt could not like her because she was so needy. And yes, that was entirely the Aunt's fault, the witch, but it's one of those dooming, self-sustaining cycles. I'd have liked Jane more if she'd done something with that moment when, at 10, she breaks the cycle; I'd have liked Jane more if she'd learned from that experience. More to the point, I lost a lot of respect for the book and for Eyre when, after all is revealed, not once does she so much as question Rochester's continual charade and methodical lies. I don't know what I'd have been more pissed about if I were her; the attempted bigamy or the fact that the man who professed undying love to me systematically lied to me while I lived under his roof about the existence of someone who liked setting beds on fire. Also, I gotta say, the whole "sir" thing got creepy. Totally to be expected when she was working for him, but after he kissed her? No, no, no. Before kiss: sign of respect; After kiss: sign of submission. Don't care what time period it was, it was creepy. Edward Rochester - I know that over time, Rochester and Heathcliff have become confused in my mind, but I was expecting someone broodier. Still, I really liked him and understood the appeal, until the scene in the orchard, where he struck me as hopelessly, delusionally (new made up word), romantic and - again, apologies for what's coming - something of a man-child. His optimism that he'd be able to marry Jane and keep Bertha in the attic indefinitely was ludicrous. Question: If this man was so outstandingly rich, why didn't he just put Bertha in her own house with a nurse somewhere in the back of beyond? He says he was going to use his other manor house, but that it was too damp (although not too damp for him, apparently); if that's the case, why not just buy another cottage somewhere else? There were too many alternatives to this disastrous arrangement for me to fully buy into it. St. John Rivers - What a prat! I liked him until his proposal, at which point he become one of those religious nuts I particularly loathe; the kind that use faith to manipulate and control. Brontë flat-out failed here, in my opinion; it seems clear she wanted readers to admire his purity and devotion, but all I really got from him after that scene was an abusive narcissist in the making. Ultimately, I'm glad I read the book and I'll likely re-read it (although I'll probably skim some of the more verbose bits). That I don't think it the masterpiece of literature I do Austen's work is entirely down to my personal reading preferences and my own personality quirks. I'll end with my favourite quote, which, oddly enough, doesn't come from the text of the story itself, but the preface Brontë wrote for the second edition: "Conventionality is not morality. Self-rightousness is not religion."

[library_lin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've resisted reading this book for years. After reading Wuthering Heights in my early 20s, I somehow got the idea that Jane Eyre was a pale version of the same book. I could not have been more wrong. I was expecting a sad story of a pale, put-upon nineteenth-century woman who was rescued by a man.

What I got was a heroine who knows her own mind and her own worth even though the world about her seems determined to undervalue her.

I wish I had read this as a teenager. I think Jane would have been a literary friend to turn to when I doubted myself. She is a wonderful role model for any person of any background, but especially for females who may feel "less than." I like a good romance as much as the next person. But, I didn't find Mr. Rochester nearly as attractive as Jane. I did find him believable though.

As disturbing as his secret is to me, I kept reminding myself that this was a different time. There is a lot we don't know about the dweller in the attic. That's a whole other story. Like many of the attitudes of Jane and the other characters in the book toward other people, her fate was a result of the time in which she lived. Every era has it's prejudices and challenges.

But I loved the book as a whole. I found the language beautiful, the characterizations true, and the ending satisfying. It wasn't perfect for anyone, but Jane is happy with her lot. She gives me the courage to believe that if we are true to ourselves and do the best we can to cope with what life hands us, things will turn out okay in the end.

[aladyinredpolish · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed listening to this book. It's very well written, has a moral storyline and just a interesting love story. I did not know this was going to have the theme of religion so prevelent in the book, so I wasn't prepared for that.

[beethovensfruit · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i loved reading this more than i ever thought i would! i’m sure i’ll read it again sometime in the future; jane and rochester have my heart over elizabeth and darcy by leaps and bounds!!

[connorshirs · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The ending felt rushed. I enjoyed the many plot twists throughout the story. The gothic setting and plot of the novel intrigued me. I predicted a sorrowful ending; but to my surprise I was contradicted.

[ladycato · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A return to a classic I haven't read since I was a teenager in the mid-1990s, though I have owned it all the while. I was actually surprised by how much I liked it. Jane is a fantastic, plucky heroine, and her plight and voice gripped me right away. I had forgotten most of the plot points (the resident of the attic and the fate of the house being all I remembered), so this really was like reading it for the first time.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Vivid descriptions of landscapes, settings, sun rises and sunsets, moons, days & nights, people's faces, moods, clothing, and charactersilluminate a plot which begins in extreme cruelty.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had not read this book in literally decades and only very very vaguely remembered the general premise. I found it to be very engaging with complex characters and a banger of a plot. I was totally able to escape from thoughts of insurrection and pandemic for a lovely few hours. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was because of the whole St. John subplot which was far too heavy with religion for far too long for my tastes. Otherwise, it was exactly what the doctor ordered and I fully embraced the sentimentality and romance without regret.

[jerame2999 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Could be shorter.

I enjoyed this book more than other classics I have had to read for school but it was still VERY long in places.

[mandathestrange · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although this book was written in the 1800's Jane Eyre is such an incredibly strong heroine, a character that girls can look up to, be inspired by and strive to be more like, even today. Charlotte Bronte was truly ahead of her time, truly.

I loved the dark Gothic atmosphere, the clarity of the characters and most importantly the honest yet incredibly moving love story between Jane and Rochester.

Seriously Rochester...I'd totally do him.

[ken5me5old5mate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Luckily, I never went together kind of school where this book was part of the studies. They never studied any books really. I say that because I came to this with no pre-conceptions and loved every minute of it. There's not much I can add to the millions of good words said already except that I loved the ending.

[skavlanj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I reread Jane Eyre in advance of reading The Eyre Affair for my detective fiction class. I originally read this as a sophomore or junior in high school, so I'd forgotten most of it.Although it's another classic 19th Century novel in that it has way too many providential coincidences, such as the three strangers who save the eponymous heroine from starvation turning out to be her cousins, it's an enjoyable read (provided you have a taste for 19th Century fiction). There's also Jane's unbelievable luck of inheriting enough money from an uncle she never met to support herself while giving three fourths of it to her savior cousins.Bronte gives Jane an interesting dichotomy of opinions. On one hand, she is a feminist ahead of her time when she says about women that, "it is narrow-minded...to say that they ought to confine themselves to making puddings and knitting stockings, to playing on the piano and embroidering bags. It is thoughtless to condemn them, or laugh at them, if they seek to do more or learn more than custom has pronounced necessary for their sex." On the other, she uses her cliched femininity to manipulate Mr. Rochester into sympathy by breaking down into tears. She also displays a nationalistic streak generally more associated with men of the time, declaring that "the British peasantry are the best taught, best mannered, most self-respecting of any in Europe."In spite of an annoying overuse of words like physiognomy, long passages of untranslated French and the narrator's intrusive direct addresses to the reader, Bronte tells an entertaining story replete with the standard morality of her time. Predictable but pleasant.

[samnreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reader, I finished it.

So I do believe Jane was kickass (although Pious-with a capital 'p') and that the book could feel stilted and drag at times. I feel like Rochester could be a prick, but we all know I get falling for that intensity.

Classics will always be easy to object to on the basis of the time we read them in-but the elements remain timeless even if tiny details are not.

So yes, I finished it. For the second time in my life. I enjoyed it even, particularly the first and last parts which flowed nicely. However, I doubt I'll revisit it in my lifetime. (I enjoyed Thandie Newton's performance for the portions I listened to)

[linyarai · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I know it's a classic and everyone says Jane should be revered for her strength of character, but I did not enjoy this book. I found it really slow and dull, and even during the more interesting parts I found her weak.

[booklovers2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Took me a long time to finally get this off my list of wanna reads. I absolutely loved this book. Jane is such a modern woman of her times, independent, outspoken and true to her morals and high standards despite how she is treated or looked upon by the people who are supposedly better than she. There were times that I felt that she would give into others demoralizing requests, but she always held her head high and stood her ground and I was so happy for her and the ending was to be hoped for her.

[moniquesnyman-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ve never read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë before, because it wasn’t on our reading lists at school or university, but I must say that, although pious, it’s quite an enjoyable and insightful read. I especially liked that Jane Eyre is still a relatable character in some ways today, though she is tenacious and passionate, she is also kind and intelligent. Few well-rounded female characters like Jane Eyre exist today, which is a shame, considering that human beings are more than just good or just bad. There are numerous other facets to the human psyche, which Charlotte Brontë was able to project into her writing, which makes Jane more than just another literary character. I also felt quite deeply for Mr. Rochester, who so beautifully complimented Jane’s personality, especially when he became passionate and called her: “Sprite! Witch! Elf!” and other, equally silly nicknames. He might not have been incredibly handsome, like every male protagonist is in every single coming-of-age novel these days, but his flaws gave him depth and made him memorable.

Though, at times, the narrative was sometimes littered with religious babble, it’s imperative to the story and to the time. Not many readers would especially enjoy the biblical context (or at times the submissiveness of female characters), but Jane Eyre carries a lot of weight in regards to the evolution of literature. In other words, it’s a must-read novel if one is to have a well-rounded and rich literary knowledge. Funnily enough, Brontë does hint at fantasy at times with the way Jane sees the world. Fairies, sprites, magical beings, and ghosts are mentioned within the novel too …

Themes that are present in the book include: love vs. autonomy, religion, social class, and gender relations.

Jane Eyre might not be as popular lately, due to the increase of paranormal romances, but it’s definitely a book you have to read at least once in your life. Readers who enjoy coming-of-age novels, in general, will love Jane Eyre. Though, not exactly similar, I’m sure that fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass will also take great pleasure from Brontë’s most popular novel.

[readingover50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I decided to give the new Serial Reader app a try. If you don't know about it, it is a free app for your phone that each day sends you a small section of a book, one that you can read in 10-15 minutes. Each day you get sent the next installment. For my first book, I decided to read Jane Eyre. I have never read this before, but I know a lot of people love it.

The basic story is really interesting. I liked the beginning part, when Jane is still a child. Stories about children in boarding school always fascinate me, and Jane is sent to a horrible school. Her life is so tragic, and still she manages to stay true to her self. I like how strong Jane is, and how she sticks to her moral code.

The writing style was a bit overdone for my taste, but I think this is a common style from the time that the story was written. There is much moralizing and preaching, and at times it felt like it went on way too long. I did not find Mr. Rochester to be a very likable character. The way he tries to trick Jane and lie to her felt inexcusable to me. But I know Jane is in love with him, and is willing to forgive him. I think the lesson I learned from this is the heart wants what the heart wants, and in the end it can not be denied.

[lkernagh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What can I say, I love Jane, she is such a strong and likeable heroine. Not one to shy away from adversity, and I think an introvert at heart given that she doesn't like to draw unnecessary attention her way. The story was a bit slow at the start. Is it just me or does anyone else think that Jane's childhood at Gateshead Hall and her time spent at Lowood School has a rather Dickensian atmosphere to it? It was when the scene shifted to Thornfield that I really became engrossed with the story. The interplay between Jane and Rochester is captivating! The drama. The intensity. Just perfect. I loved their intellectual conversations and the way the two would engage in word play, dancing around the elephant in the room. Readers who have read this one may understand where I am coming from when I say that my love for the story tends to ebb and flow: parts were riveting and other parts were... good, if a bit slow and sometimes a tad clichéd. The story has some really great scenes of high drama - loved those bits! - but some of the plot resolutions are a little too perfect and a bit too convenient. That being said, if I had read this one in my youth, like I did Wuthering Heights and other stories, I don't think I would have appreciated it to the level that I do reading it now, so chalking this up as being a worthy read and one that I am glad I finally got around to reading.

[larryerick · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm an old guy. Not so old that I could have dated the author in high school (she was a couple years ahead of me), but still, not exactly the prime audience for this book. So, maybe I should skip a review altogether. And maybe I should add my two-cents for those other old guys out there thinking of reading the book. This is supposed to be a romantic novel, right? A listing I just saw an online poll that says this is the third most popular classic book ever. On the other hand, my ebook reader system doesn't categorize it as "Book", but under "Kids". Why? Because the lead character starts out as a child and ends up as barely an adult? Let me ignore all that and just say I don't think this is a romance. I think it's a book about "What is love?" Plus, it's also about 350 pages too long, attaching the equivalent of a ten page lyric poem to pretty much every look out the window or walk outside. It's also very hung up on "plain" appearances, though that is one aspect of how it assesses what love is. "Is it possible to truly love a plain person?" "Does a plain person deserve love?" ("Can plain people find love and happiness just like regular folks?") Coincidentally, the author makes it easier to conclude an answer to that question by manipulating the narrative to provide a person who can't actually see the plain appearance. It should be mentioned that education and having "culture" is also thrown into the mix. Thankfully, the author seems to relent and conclude that beauty and culture are not absolute requirements for bliss, but nevertheless provide a higher standard of love, so don't pass them up if you can get them. Finally, I want to make a point about the many movies and television shows that have been made about this book and how -- I think -- they have distorted our view of the actual text of the book. For instance, I watched a video summarizing which actor played the best "Rochester". The conclusion was unquestionably, the handsome former James Bond actor, Timothy Dalton. I ask, did anyone even read the book's description of Rochester? There were other videos that compared multiple film versions of one of the first "proposal" scene. While I only viewed about six of the roughly dozen filmed versions available to me, not one of them had the right setting, the means by which the characters come together for the scene, the dialogue, and/or the reactions of the characters to the proposal discussion, as it was set in the actual book. I also watched the very start to about five films. All but two left out the entire first third of the book, with only one starting with the initial scene that sets the tone. My point isn't that a movie must be faithful to a book. My point is that I strongly suspect that what some people remember so fondly in the book was never there to begin with, and that the book simply does not measure up to the films that may be in peoples' minds.

[danielstj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I don't understand why this book is considered to be a classic-- not at all.

[antao-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

(Original Review, 1981-01-31)Ever since my first reading of Jane Eyre I've always viewed it as an account of the indelible effects of emotional abuse, and as such, a very grim book indeed. The novel opens with a recall of the emotional deprivation the 8-year-old Jane receives daily at the hands of her aunt. The story then continues with Jane's time at Lowood School, an institution devoted not so much to teaching the children of paupers, as to teaching them their place in life.By the time she reaches adulthood Jane is really quite damaged, and she regards herself as a social inferior. This self-image is never really challenged, much less altered or dispelled. The many reviews that praise Jane's undoubted courage unfortunately gloss over this or omit it completely, giving a misleading impression. It is apparent that Jane never ever overcomes the effects of her ghastly childhood. Remember, she is only able to accept Rochester after he had been brought down in the world by the loss of his home and fortune, and his disablement. And while she does, in the end, reject St John, the reader should note how close she comes to succumbing to this emotionally remote, manipulative, hypocritical bully.To my mind, the most astounding thing in Jane Eyre is Charlotte's implicit (explicit?) criticism of the saintly St. John Rivers. He's supposed to be a man of God, as beautiful as an angel, but with a will of iron and a heart of stone. The way he bullies Jane, using his power as a man and as a servant of God to try to force her to submit to him against her will, is horrific. It's as if he sees an independent woman as a threat which he has to destroy.Where did this terrifying character come from? Imagination, or did Charlotte perhaps know someone like him?I think it's Jane's raw, violent, unexamined sexuality. Having never really had much in the way of human warmth, guidance, or emotional education, Jane is quite literally wild. She seeks sensuality like a starving beast and has an almost animal understanding of what constitutes a connection between two human beings. Jane probably doesn't even know what sex is, yet she burns with desire. Rochester - depraved, debauched, debilitated by vice and excesses- sees this in her and in the purity of her passion, he is able to cleanse himself and transcend his baser instincts. I completely buy their relationship, and while it is, objectively, very iffy by today's standards (the gap in age, experience, social status! the mad wife in the attic! the illegitimate child!), it is also completely, viscerally believable. Jane Eyre still shows that lust within love should still be the (moral) goal. She actually effectively teaches Rochester this, as someone barely half his age. She teaches him some morals.For me, the novel’s strength lies in vivid writing that brings the people and the scenes to life, whether or not one likes them, or approves. The style isn’t always to my taste (I don’t care for the 19th Century habit of addressing the reader) but is compelling in a way that is the hallmark of a great writer.Maybe a modern politically-correct world that is obsessed with conformity no longer recognises this kind of gift.The inherent craft of a storyteller is to use invention to more clearly express essential truths of ideas, emotions, impressions and events. Sometimes fiction contains more truth than a fact. What else can a reader expect from a group of authors other than some uncertainty between what's real and what's not?

[jon1lambert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took me a long time to read the book that I thought I had read in my youth but hadn't. I liked the strength of character of Jane Eyre, her firm and unwavering resolve but not the inflexible, inhuman resolve of of St John Rivers. Principles before emotional waywardness to the level illustrated in Jane Eyre goes beyond modern standards. Oh come on, Jane, I felt at certain times, chill out and marry Rochester after what he's been through. The ending was bleak and a bit far-fetched.I thought the book was brilliant though and am really pleased that I have now read it.