For the Love of Charlotte

By Sarah Ruth Scott

It all began in Rome as Charlotte from
Manchester met Harry from Brooklyn, New
York in May 2000. Their romance grew
until they became inseparable and in May
of 2001 Charlotte moved in with Harry. All
went well until the September of 9/11, Harry
was working in the World Trade Centre Twin
Towers when a plane went crashing into one
of the buildings. The question was would he
have been one of the fatalities there or did he
survive, also was Charlotte killed as she went
to search for him?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496984883

Sarah Ruth Scott

Sarah has written four stories in this book that deal with the unusual and sometimes the bizarre. These stories explore areas of the imagination that leave the reader thinking about various aspects of mental health and questions whether or not certain things are real or imaginary. In the first story ‘Understanding Jodie’ the author questions the moral ethics of a teenage girl. The second story ‘Living with Faith’ is about an angel learning to protect others living as a mortal. The third story is Alison’s lifelong diary questioning her poor lifestyle following her death, only to experience her life again with radical changes. Finally the most bizarre of all stories ‘The secret life Helen Harris’ about a woman who wants to change her life and is helped but with drastic consequences.

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© 2014 Sarah Ruth Scott. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/27/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-8487-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-8488-3 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

INDEX

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1. MANCHESTER 1996

2. WHEN IN ROME

3. BACK HOME

4. NEW YORK, NEW YORK

5. SEPERATED

6. 9/11

7. 9/11 MEMORIAL

DEDICATIONS

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I would like to dedicate this book not only to friends and family, but to the brave people such as firemen and other rescuers involved in saving people’s lives during the 9/11 disaster. It was through their heroic work that so many people were saved; some even lost their own lives while attempting to save others. On my last visit to New York I experienced personal sadness at seeing the exhibition at St Paul’s church, looking in the Visitors Centre, but mainly seeing Ground Zero for myself. I got an eerie feeling as I walked around the fountains where the Towers once stood. Reading the names of the victims really brought home to me just how tragic it must have been for those involved, I would suggest that anyone wishing to visit there should be prepared to be upset. My heart goes out to the friends and relatives of the 9/11 tragedy. Although my book is fictitious I would hope that by doing my research it was accurate to events. I even went into the local pub O’Hara’s in order to find out more about that fateful day, this is why I included it into my story. I was pleased to see the Freedom Building being constructed and the mast from the North Tower on the top, I also saw the start of the construction of the Museum which I believe is now finished.

I recommend anybody to visit Ground Zero just to pay their respects for all those people who tragically lost their lives there. This is a part of history which will be remembered as one of America’s biggest tragedies, and will never be forgotten.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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Cover design by Stephen Robert Sutton photo of Paige Demmi Hickinbottom as Charlotte.

Adviser Stacy Fratelli in California, Naomi Giess from Lichfield, Staffordshire, England and Gemma Louise Sutton of Manchester, England.

Edited and proof read by Rachel Day.

With thanks to my children for your support Gemma Louise Sutton, Jennifer May Sutton, Michael James Sutton and Daniel Robert Sutton.

FOR THE LOVE OF CHARLOTTE

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INTRODUCTION

I t all began in Rome as Charlotte from Manchester met Harry from Brooklyn, New York in May 2000. Their romance grew until they became inseparable and in May of 2001 Charlotte moved in with Harry. All went well until the September of 9/11, Harry was working in the World Trade Centre Twin Towers when a plane went crashing into one of the buildings. The question was would he have been one of the fatalities there or did he survive, also was Charlotte killed as she went to search for him?

While writing this fictitious love story I was mindful of people’s feelings and whilst researching the facts I endeavoured to make the story as real as the tragic moments that actually took place. This was one of the most tragic events in America’s history and still raw for numerous people. Many people will never forget the tragic events that took place on the 11th September 2001, I can only imagine what people must have felt like; I watched it on television and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I hope in my approach to this sensitive matter that I have not offended anyone. I went to O’Hara’s bar near Ground Zero and saw their book of remembrance; I also went to St Paul’s Church in Manhattan and visited their memorial. Ground Zero has two fountains where the Twin Towers once stood with plaques on each side with all the names of the victims inscribed on them. It is an eerie place, close by outside another building is a screen with a key pad, you tap in a name and a picture of the victim appears, with details about them. Some people come from across the other side of the world in order to pay respects to their friends or relatives, some of us visit because we feel for their loved ones and for the victims that died so bravely. Please read the dedication at the end of this book, thank you.

MANCHESTER 1996

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C harlotte Haywood was a nursing student based at the University of Salford for her theory and who was placed at Royal Oldham Hospital for most of her practice work. Charlotte was quite a shy girl, but was so confident when it came to hands on nursing. To look at Charlotte she appeared ordinary, she had blonde hair and wore silver framed spectacles, which hid part of her beauty. Her eyes were bright blue with a fair complexion she was slim but shapely her skin was soft and unblemi shed.

It was a Saturday in Manchester, which meant that the city would be crowded especially around the shopping areas and central park area known as Piccadilly Gardens. Charlotte had gone into what she called ‘town’ with her University friends and her sister Abigail tagged along. Abigail was slightly larger in proportion than Charlotte with darker hair; she was more out going and dressed more elegantly. Charlotte was the type to dress in jeans a white t-shirt and a black jacket or a Kaori long coat, she often had slogans on her t-shirts or badges to demonstrate her disregard for conformism or to show how she felt about society.

Charlotte had just left the Arndale Shopping Centre and crossed the road to another store; they had no sooner entered the building when they heard a loud bang and the building vibrated. Glass shattered and spread and the force threw them all to the ground it all happened in slow motion, mannequins went in all directions along with clothes. Charlotte noticed Abigail and her friends lying on the floor, Abigail had blood on her leg, Charlotte felt a trickling down her face and realised that she too was bleeding. Her eyes blurred and she collapsed and fell onto Abigail’s body. When she awoke her friends had gone, leaving her and Abigail in the building.

She looked at her and suddenly shouted Abigail are you alright, Abigail speak to me. She got no response.

Charlotte staggered out side shouting Help me!

When she noticed a lot of people rushing about shouting and screaming, an ambulance crew, police and fire brigade were helping injured people on the street. After a while one of the ambulance team

Reviews for For the Love of Charlotte

[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.

[theatrearchivist · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I taught this book as a high school sophomore to my English class; my usually-very-hip instructor refused to teach anything by "those damn Bronte sisters." I taught from the Cliff notes, the Monarch notes and my own head; we watched the 1944 movie with Orson Welles as Rochester and Joan Fontaine as Jane.

[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.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This one took awhile as an audio book. I finally brought it into work to finish it. The reader did a fantastic job with emotion of each of the characters. Very enjoyable.

[quigui · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jane Eyre, is one of the classics that I’ve been meaning to read for ages, but it took a pretty cover to (finally) buy it, and a hangover to start reading it. Jane Eyre is indeed the story of Jane, from her miserable childhood, through her slightly less miserable adolescence and to her adulthood. Orphan of both parents, she lives with her aunt and cousins, but it is a life without affection. When she is sent to a school far from home she believes that her conditions can only improve, but it isn't without trouble that she finishes her education and is ready to seek employment.This story was not new to me, but I had only watched the TV series, and some time ago, so the details were a bit hazy. I knew there would be a happy ending, but then, there always is (I had quite forgotten everything else about the ending). I was actually expecting a lot more drama in the beginning (I think I got the order of some events wrong), so the more I read, the more I dreaded what was (I thought) sure to come.There is a very strong Beauty and the Beast feel to it. Yes, I know both the love birds are as ugly as they come, making it Beast and the Beast, but to me it is about their personalities. Jane very nice and proper (even if a little blunt), Mr. Rochester quite the devil (and drama queen), teasing and insulting. I liked Mr. Rochester’s wild personality, even if sometimes it is a bit too flamboyant. Jane’s uptightness got to my nerves sometimes, but I liked her bluntness and honesty. But most of all, it was the bickering between these too: the intelligent semi-arguments were really fun to read.My biggest problem with the classics (and I say problem is the very loosest of senses) is that I have to adapt to the values of the times when they were written. It is most likely that a modern day Jane would take the easier route, by running away WITH her beloved and not running away FROM him (I know I would, along with taking more conventional measures to deal with the problem in the attic). That made some parts in the book a bit harder to enjoy (or should I say, not to scream at the characters), but that choice was also in tune with the character's personality and way of being.But to me, the strongest point of this book is how it is written. The use of the first person takes away the distance I could have felt due to Jane’s personality. And the descriptions are absolutely vivid. I was constantly lost on 19th century England, taking walks through the moors, sitting by the fireplace, studying people… Making the drama all the more, well, dramatic, because it felt like it was happening to me.I really liked this book, even though it took me quite awhile to finish. It's very well written, and it's not only about romance, it portrays a society that is slightly different from ours - one that not so long ago was the norm. The down side was that there was a bit more drama that I felt was necessary, and all the religious babble, that started to really get on my nerves by the end of the book (courtesy of a late comer character). Still, it definitely deserves it's place among the classics.Also at Spoilers and Nuts

[phoenixterran · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Illustrated Jane Eyre, with illustrations by Dame DarcyI first read Jane Eyre for my 10th grade English class. We had a choice between Brontë's famous novel and When the Legends Die by Hal Borland. Most students chose the latter, being quite a bit shorter than Jane Eyre. I read both. Yes, I really was that big of a book geek, even then. I remember reading Jane Eyre outside in the back field and absolutely loving it. Recently, I've been looking for a nice copy of the novel, and unexpectedly came across this edition at my favorite comic store.The illustrations by Dame Darcy (probably best known for her comic book series, Meatcake) are rather Gothic in style; most are black and white ink drawings, although there are a handful of full-page color prints, as well. I actually preferred the ink drawings, especially the full-page ones, although the smaller illustrations sprinkled throughout the text were delightful to stumble upon. My only complaint is that, at times, they could have been better placed in order to coincide with the story-line.Jane Eyre is a willful and passionate young girl; orphaned, she unhappily lives with her Aunt and cousins. She is sent to Lowood School, were she remains first as a student, and then as teacher for eight years. Eventually, she hires herself out as a governess, gaining her own independence to some extent. Her new employer, Mr. Rochester, is used to having things his way and is quite taken by Jane. She unexpectedly finds herself becoming rather enamored of him even though he is quite wealthy, decidedly not handsome, and much older than she is. Only, he's keeping a dark secret from his past from her, one that will change everything should she discover it.I was not disappointed with the re-read, even if I did know how everything turns out. I absolutely loved the interactions between Jane and Mr. Rochester; she can be rather sassy at times, and he knows how to take it. Tragically romantic, Jane Eyre is among my favorite books.Experiments in Reading

[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.

[danielstj · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

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

[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.

[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.

[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?

[nx74defiant · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very much how I remembered. A great book that can be read over and over. St. John was even worse than I remembered. He really pressured Jane.

[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.

[margaretfield · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

young girl self determined, governess, survives

[5eva5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Orphan Jane Eyre's life from mistreatment at her aunt's house, education at a charity school, first job at Thornfield Hall, and the mess that follows when she falls in love with already married Mr. Rochester. I enjoyed the story reasonably, but I've seen film versions so no surprises. None of the characters are really all that interesting (the "baddies" are quite generically bad rather than multi-dimensional) and the book has long passages of ponderings that, I think, are meant to be profound, but are really just an exercise in circumlocution. Gothic fiction can be a bit hit and miss for me, and I'm putting this in the miss pile, unfortunately.

[jess_reads_books · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classics. Each time I read Bronte's novel, I fall more in love with the narrator. Jane rises above an intense and deprived childhood to become a strong-willed woman unwilling to give up her convictions. The novel has a pleasing flow for the reader through the first half of the novel and then starts to lack interest in the middle. The ending is written powerfully enough to compensate for this momentary lag. Often dubbed a love story, but considered in my eyes a tale of an independent woman's journey through life, love, and hardships, Jane Eyre is a book I will continue to reread throughout my lifetime.

[dreamweaver529 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've watched every adaptation of this book that's come across my path, but this is my first time reading the book.The story is well known, but as a lover of spoilers that works for me. The one thing I never go from the TV/movie adaptations is how much of a manipulative narcissistic jerk St. John is. I wanted to reach into the book and slap him. I wonder how his personality was received when the book was first published. Was he seen as normal? Was that type of misogynistic emotional abuse really the norm?A solid 3.5 for me. A pleasant read, but not one I will read again.

[anisadara36 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The wording and language is a hard thing to get over in the first two chapters but you get used to it and speed through this amazing book.

[melissalenhardt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In contrast to Wuthering Heights, this book is wonderful. A yearly re-read.

[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.

[rain.e.drew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I begin this review by saying that this is my absolute favorite book, and I could go on and on about how I couldn't put it down in the three days it took me to read it the first time around, but I know that this book is not for everyone.
This is a true Gothic Victorian book in every sense of the genre, so it does get a bit wordy, it does go into detail when describing the narrator's emotions, and it can drag on at parts. That being said, this book has a strong female lead, a wonderful (though partially controversial) romance, and a captivating plot that does involve a mad woman locked in a room that sometimes sneaks out during the night .
The people I meet who dislike the book either are simply not that into Victorian romances, have been spoiled by a terrible movie adaptation, or never got beyond the first few chapters. So, I will say this: do not watch adaptations until after reading the book (which should be a rule for any novel), and read the book to the end before casting judgement (honestly, I always skip to chapter twelve when rereading the book, but that is because I have read it all the way through at least three times before). If you simply don't enjoy Victorian novels, then there's nothing really I can do to sway you, though I suggest you try reading it for its gothic elements.

As far as movie and miniseries adaptations go, these are the ones I suggest seeing:
-The 1983 BBC: it is the closest adaptation that I have seen (and I warn you that I have not seen them all). Just about all of the lines are taken directly from the book.
-The 2006 BBC: it is less faithful to the book than the 1983 one, but it follows the plot line well, is well scripted for television, and has dialogue that is a bit more modern in style. Also, I like the Rochester interpretation done by Toby Stephens.
-The 2011 movie: the acting is a bit dry, and because it is a movie, they took out some of my favorite scenes; but, I absolutely love the score, the costumes, and the sets.
-The 1944 movie: I'm not entirely sure why I like this adaptation. Like some of the others I've seen, they skewed and mismatched the plot; however, the cinematography is very well done, the relationship between Orson Welles and Joan Fontaine is well acted, and besides that, John Houseman and Aldous Huxley wrote the screenplay. (That's right, Huxley! I had no idea he wrote screenplays until researching this movie. Apparently he was also one of the screenwriters of the 1940 version of Pride and Prejudice.) And then there are those Rochester eyes. Those Welles Rochester eyes...

Alright, enough fangirl talk for me. Go read a book.

[ludiegrace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I last read this when I was 13 or 14 and didn't recall much of the plot, so this felt like a first reading, and I really enjoyed it. For the sheer pleasure of the prose and narrative, it is wonderful. I think it's one of those books I will need to read again in a year's time, and perhaps multiple times, to better consider some of the themes and grasp the full arc of the story. There's a lot going on, and some of it is sitting well and some of it...isn't quite.

[jbd1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I feel like very few "classics" I read actually can captivate me and hold my interest very well (it's not that it doesn't happen, but it doesn't happen as frequently as I might like). But it did with Jane Eyre; I found myself wanting to read the whole book in a single sitting, which I didn't do but certainly could have if I'd had time.I'd read what I think must have been an abridged version of this, years ago, and remembered much of it extremely poorly (to the point of even having Jane at Thornfield during the fire, &c.). So I'm glad I reread it, and am delighted to report that the story came to life much more to be this time. I had forgotten how witty and playful Jane and Rochester are with each other much of the time, but also how the tension between Jane's strong desire for an equal conflicts with her (at times) somewhat submissive personality. And I certainly didn't recall just how very traumatizing Jane's childhood was ... goodness!The descriptions of the natural world, particularly at Thornfield, are quite good, and the suspenseful, almost gothic, nature of the mysterious occupant of the third floor are quite spookily drawn, in a good way.Most enjoyable, even if a bit melodramatic at times.

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

I read this quite a while ago and it's still stuck with me. The love story between Jane and Mr Rochester is fantastic, but some of the book just didn't make sense to me. I felt that there was too much included about her painful youth and then the ridiculous point at which she was sleeping in ditches to avoid Mr Rochester. The rest was great, but those pieces made me wish I could ask Charlotte Bronte exactly what she was thinking when she wrote them.

[mlyons1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Best of the Bronte sisters if you ask me. This books kicks Wuthering Heights fanny any day of the week. Period.

[kikiunhinged · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tedious but grows on you. My favorite part is near the end - their references to the burned tree in describing Rochester.

[jamesfallen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best novels ever written. Certainly the best I've read from that time period.

[librarycin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 starsJane was an orphan, raised by an aunt who really didn't want to raise her. At 10 years old, Jane was shipped off to a boarding school for orphans. At 18, after she'd been teaching at that school for a couple of years, Jane became a governess. The story continues to follow Jane through other events in her young life. It was good, though there were parts that dragged a bit for me and I found my mind wandering. I could have done without the religious stuff, but I enjoyed the turns that Jane's life took. Unfortunately, the book did feel long, and it took me a long time to read. In part, I can blame the holidays, but even the time I spent reading, it took longer to read a certain number of pages than it often does for me. However, overall, I enjoyed it and I'm glad I read it.

[fuzzi_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jane Eyre currently has 568 reviews here on LT. What can I add to this huge resource of plot description and critical analysis?How about how it made me feel?I love quality dialogue, especially back and forth verbal sparring, and appreciate how the use of dialogue can help the reader come to truly know the characters he/she is reading about. "Jane Eyre" is like that. As I read this story, I felt as if I personally knew these people, their faults and shining moments. The extensive but not inappropriate use of (somewhat) archaic vocabulary within this story added another layer of depth to the book. Miss Bronte's writing style also made me smile, laugh, shake my head in wonder, and even "tsk tsk" when the characters did something unseemly. These were real people to me, and I wished I could join them for an evening of conversation and sharing.Superb.