Jane Eyre

Written by Charlotte Bronte

Narrated by Amanda Root

Most people are familiar with the story of Jane Eyre, the mousey governess who falls in love with the master of Thornfield Hall while his mad wife rants and raves in the attic. But to appreciate the complex issues that Charlotte Brontë addresses, it’s necessary to listen with care – Jane Eyre challenged the conventions of womanhood and marriage as well as subtly highlighting the racist sentiments of the day.
With all this in mind, Amanda Root gives a polished reading full of understanding of the text. She lingers long on the imagery that conveys the idea of women as prisoners to convention and cleverly develops Jane’s character through the stages of her life that see her transformed from an angry little girl to a woman of independent means and ideas. Classy budget CD label Naxos AudioBooks have produced an unrivalled unabridged edition, beautifully packaged and easy to use.
Sue Arnold, The Guardian

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
• Release date: Apr 17, 2005
• ISBN: 9789629544638

Charlotte Bronte

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

[comfypants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A girl with no friends falls in love with the first single man she meets.2.5/4 (Okay).I really wanted to like Jane. But Rochester is so relentlessly awful, I found it impossible to sympathize with someone who's obsessed with him.

[krazy4katz · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read this book after reading The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde so that I could understand what was going on in that book. I know Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen are not my kind of literature and this proved it. The beginning of the book, where Jane suffers so much in her aunt's house was dull and it only picked up when she went to a school for the poor. After she acquires a position as a private governess, she falls in love with the head of the household. This part was not realistic for me and became less so as the book progressed. Aren't there any charismatic men in the 19th century?! Nevertheless, Jane Eyre is beautifully written. Charlotte Bronte was definitely a master (mistress?) of the craft of writing. The ending? Well I will leave that for those who have also read Fforde's The Eyre Affair to argue about.

[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.

[msaucier818 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am stunned to say that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as I had anticipated I would. It has great reviews, and is obviously considered one of the great classics. To my surprise, I could not warm up to the characters.

What I liked - I enjoyed the first part of the book when Jane was a child and she has her first experiences at her boarding school. I liked some of the plot twists, especially involving the surprise appearances of mysterious characters.

What I did not like - I found the two men in Jane's life to be whiny. I never bought either one of them to be sincere. I found Jane falling for Mr. Rochester so quickly to be annoying, and her undying love for the man was too much for me to swallow. This could be because I am a man who is not necessarily a big reader of romance, but Jane never seemed to show anger at any of the actions or omissions of Mr. Rochester and that seemed ridiculous to me. Jane was just too perfect in her temperament.

Anyway, I am glad I read it and feel better for it. I wish I had liked it more.

[Roxana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent classic romance - loved the narrator. This was a reread for me

[Delaram Mirshamsi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Despite all the writer's emphasis on Mr. Rochester 's ugly looks I don't know why I like him more than other male characters in the classic novels! Even more than Mr. Darcy!

[Chas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my favorite novel of all time. Narration was near perfection.

[Rebecca Kneller · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my all time favorite book. I have read it multiple times and watched the movies. To have it read to me in audible format, enhanced the experience.

[Samantha Gutierrez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent reading! I was surprised but I enjoyed the book.

[Joshua Hastings · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully read! Such an amazing book! Everyone should read it at least once

[Martina Charles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent accent and expressions. Very good voices for different characters. A few mispronunciations, but overall, excellent reading!

[Lidia Radun · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book so much. It is very romantic. ?

[lydia1879 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a little bit tricky for me to review.

Initially, I adored it. Then I found out some problematic things about Rochester's character and the nature of his relationship with Jane.

However, I still really love it, I just think it's important that when you read this book you acknowledge that it's not perfect, and Mr. Rochester is not always the perfect man he appears to be.

I read this because I wanted to read Wide Sargasso Sea, which is probably not the right way around, but that's how I did it anyway. I really adore Jane's character, particularly when she's young and precocious - she's stronger, bolder than when she becomes older.

I liked one character in particular (who shall remain unnamed because I don't want to spoil it for you). They, to me, really represented Jane's inner self - a wilder, bolder side that she never let anyone else see. This person was a manifestation of all her frustrations of being a poor woman in 19th century England.

Is it a feminist novel, though? Sometimes, I don't know. But I want it to be, and maybe I'll read it again more critically, and figure it out for myself.

This novel is really atmospheric, and it's not nearly as romantic as you might assume it to be. Jane is a complex character, worn down by her experiences, and brought to life again through Bronte's writing.

If you haven't read this novel, try it out. c:

[Amber Hess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can’t imagine a more riveting book for my tastes! The dark themes of death, the gloomy depictions of manors, ominous weather and mysteries! The raw emotions of abandonment contrasts so vividly with the first tastes of kindred spirits and higher morale calling for eternity sake. Brontë transports feelings of exploration in new territory with young pure eyes, first loves and themes of providence and a heavenly calling. It’s so much deeper a work than I had expected. It wasn’t all desperation, gloom and romance- I also laughed out loud at times at the banter between Rochester and Eyres. I’ve heard a few friends that have said they don’t like it and I don’t understand how this cannot be on the top of anyones list of favorites! It captured me from the very beginning.

[YSORA MK · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thebest book ever, no one can tell me otherwise. Better then pride and prejudice.
10/10 would recommend to anyone who loves historical tragedy and romance !! Best book ? ? ❤️

[Andrew Wells · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully performed audiobook. The narrator makes each character come to life and speaks so clearly that you can listen on 2x speed.

[glory317 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great narration!!
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this version of Jane Eyre.
Surprisingly well paced for such a long and reflective story.

[Emma Mclamara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never more have I adored another novel. With gothic tones and heartbreaking phrasing, it is truly a work of art

[Clare Gaia Russell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptionally done and well worth the investment of time. Brava!

[Piyadasa Kodituwakku · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the great novels ever written. Excellent narration. Thanks

[Sarah Hegg · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the reader! Story was a classic, as expected. Highly recommended.

[krizia_lazaro_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a gothic love story with a headstrong, stubborn and passionate heroin, Jane Eyre. Most of the time the story is sad, often times it is happy. It sort of in between which does not sit well with me. I prefer overly tragic love stories or too good to be true love stories. I prefer "Wuthering Heights" over this one but we cannot deny that Charlotte Bronte is also a good writer as Emily.

[supermanlver · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Oh My God!! I absolutely love this book! This is the first ever book to actually make me cry. Jane Eyre is the remarkable story about a girl, Jane, and her struggles that she has to face throughout her life from and orphaned child living in her evil aunt's house with her tormenting cousins, to becoming a governess. She also tries to unravel the history of her mysterious employer, Mr. Rochester.

[christineplouvier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Get an old copy from a used book store, not the new edition with "annotations." The footnotes purport to "explain" things that readers are well able to understand themselves from the context (and the some of explanations are wrong).

[sammii507 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was decidedly underwhelmed by this book. I am a big fan of Jane Austen and other 19th century lit, but this book just bored me to tears. There were days I couldn't read more than ten pages before I fell asleep...in the middle of the day. I felt like I was in church, being preached to (with a sermon completely impossible to understand)...for weeks and weeks and weeks. Dear God, I'm glad I'm done with this book.

[fatmashahin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

unfortunately didn't love this as much as so many people seem to.

what i liked: jane, her tenacity, her quiet strength, and her uncompromising belief in her morals
what i didnt like: mr rochester and his bullshit - the dude is just one GIANT RED FLAG

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ahhh...how I loved this book. I believe this might of been my sixth time of reading it. Every once in a while I need to leave this world and simplify...love.

[aoibhealfae · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The last time I read this book was when I was a teenager, I didn't think of it much until I had to reread it for "Fiction of Relationship". But now that I fully comprehend the title and its content as an adult, I didn't think I've changed my initial perception on this book. Its a difficult book in content and atmosphere. The title are more appropriate autobiography of Jane Eyre unlike the Manon Lescaut. The more I studied the novel, the more I find its harder for me to completely dislike the book and completely like it too. I find its puzzling when people constantly associate this novel with grandness of love. Sure the most memorable part of this book was a romance but I find the majority of the book quite hard to define on certain trope genre except to say that the book is just about Jane Eyre's life herself. If I were to classify the novel, its a fictionalized autobiography divided in parts from a broken childhood where a child grew up too fast, a romance about the plight of a grown girl in face of a man who tempt her soul, the come of age of a child-woman into adulthood, a deeply religious novel with various embedded indoctrination, a satire and rebellion on the polite society and also a gothic tale of horror.

The book started with Jane reminiscing about her childhood in Gateshead Hall where she lived with her abusive cousins and unloved by her stern aunt who took delight in making a 10 year old suffer in misery. After a traumatic experience inside the Red Room (a word pun for "Murder" dont you think?), the apothecary who treated her recommended that Jane should be sent to a school. Instead, her aunt gave her to Mr Brocklehurst who managed the Lowood Institution where he believe that the more abusive nature he cause against the students, which are essentially by beating, starving them and depriving them from many things, for the sake of building good Christian 'habits' among the students. It was until an epidemic that wipe out nearly half of the students that left Jane mourning after a dear friend and the Lowood shift in management that Jane began to appreciate a new life in the school. She stayed for more years as a teacher until she decided to leave the school when she lost her reason to stay after the leaving of her teacher, Miss Temple, who somehow became a mother figure to her. Then she came to Thornfield Manor to teach the ward of a Mr Rochester, Adele Varens and found herself intrigued by her new master.
Jane Eyre is a very deathly long book to read for studying and as an assignment. Although I do enjoy the descriptive of the book, from the details of the interior of the manor, the fashions and textiles of 18th century which made Brontë a faithful contemporary writer of her time and also the beautiful nature the book explores which complement to the darker side of the novel where supernatural theme are quite prominent in dreams, interpretation and the secrets that alluded Jane so much.

As a character, Jane Eyre are quite a passionate proud independent woman and ahead of her time in a society where woman are encouraged to be sensible, demure and submissive. Even as a child, she basically reduce her aunt into tears and fears when Jane was accused to being a liar and spiteful child by her aunt which guarantee Jane a difficult life in Lowood. Although she soon grew up and leaving her childish fits, this streak of rebelliousness is obvious in her interaction between Mr Rochester, her reaction against the guests in his house who belittle and insulting her status as a governess, her fight with inner demons, her confrontation against the difficult St John Rivers and her stubbornness and loyalty with the Rochester in the end. Since I remember the story more from Ruth Wilson's take on Jane Eyre, I do find its hard to completely interpret Jane into any adaptation. I became more sympathetic towards her in the book and understand her world and her personality more than I do from the various novel adaptations I chanced to watch. Its hard to not like the obvious fire inside of her which became alive when someone torment her enough until she reach her limit. I do find its intriguing between the polarity of Jane and Bertha, especially the fact that they virtually mirror each other. I guess thats the purpose of the author.

Personally, I don't really care for Jane Eyre and her relationship with Mr Rochester. I know, that he's supposed to be a Byronic fallen hero figure and the story have been emulated into hundreds of historical romance with governesses and their liaison with their masters. But I do find Rochester simply too hateful to be liked by me. I do notice he had moments when he was too sarcastic, too masculine, too abrupt. He even enjoy torturing Jane to gauge the level of her love for him instead of giving her hints or even seduces her or display some sort of kindness for her. He even flaunt his past rendezvous and listing his lovers to Jane who seemingly perfectly fine with a guy detailing his past romances and neglected to mention about his marital status at the same. As much I love reading Alpha male dominance, I don't think being jackass is right up in my alley. And although he completely changed after Jane left him and became what he is in the end after he lost her, I dont think its healthy to anticipate some God-like convenient intervention to punish the character. In fact, I am puzzled by Jane's reaction on his sexual activities and she only took it as his "passionate nature and manly needs". Up until she was back to Thornfield, she seemed to be accepting that about it and the fact he's readily wanting to commit adultery with her and the fact she accept it as she convinced that Rochester have been outside England and back to his wicked ways. Which made Jane's complexity and mood swings bewilder to me as her reader. But one thing I like about the two of them is that Jane saved his life from the fire and douse it alone without him waking up. That's really impressive even to me.

As a prominent male historical romance figure, I kept drawing a comparison between Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice), Mr Rochester and Mr Thornton (North and South). I still insist that Mr Thornton are realistically more appropriate and admirable male figure rather than the other two and probably because Elizabeth Gaskell choose to write in third-person omniscient than the first-person narratives between these two novels. I seriously don't get the whole excessive hero worshiping between Darcy and Rochester who apparently doesn't do much except being richly inherited (Thornton grew up poor and work his way up and are married to his work unlike the other two romantic heroes). Although I do find Jane Eyre and Margaret Hale (North and South) with obvious similarities but I kept seeing Jane to be more concerned about her own welfare than the world around her. Margaret are born in an easy life only to have her world, family, reality crumble all around her even when she tried to make some differences and try to understand it. Jane however instead of confronting her problem, she kept it all in her inside until it burst or until she couldn't handle it anymore and run away and keep making everything worst and leading everyone around. Throughout her novel, its so apparent that the things that drove her on was her own need, her happiness and the fault of her pride which kept getting in her away which was often confused as being passionate. This book is maze of confusion and the fact that it kept jumping multiple genre until the author gave up the charade near the end which reminded me of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey at some point.

I think the only thing that made me emotionally invested with the story was when Jane found out that she's not alone in the world and that she has living relatives. The story started as a story of abuse on a child who are so alone and unloved and jealous of others with family only to be a grown up teenager trying to be an adult and only to find the world continue to disappoint her happiness again. At this, I had wished the book explore that side of her more especially her solitude and loneliness instead of diverting toward longing for a male companion and the endless descriptive on the weather and insertions of constant foreboding Gothic descriptive atmosphere, and observance of people, religion and Jane's monologues et cetera. For a thick book, it does feel like a patchwork of stories compiled into one. But as a thick book, I wished it could have been more revolutionary instead of a master guide toward modern romance writing.

[bellettres · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this in high school and didn't care for it. I read it again last March and loved it. Besides the love story, there is so much here: how to be a woman in a world ruled by men, what constitutes true power, the danger (and the attraction) of religious fanaticism. I loved this book!

[jjaylynny · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Have always meant to reread this; glad I did. Still romantic but as an adult I'm less distracted by the melodramatic plot (still gotta love a crazy lady locked in the attic) and more impressed and entertained by Jane's spunk.

This illustrated version is cooooool, too.