Happy Birthday
Some of you might think the books of Jane Austen are my favourite - however my all time favourite, the one I have read many many times is in fact written by Charlotte Bronte and her wonderful book Jane Eyre.
Now I can hear you say, why is she telling me this - Charlotte was born on this day in 1816 the third of six children. Sadly she died at the young age of 38 along with her unborn child.
I first read Jane Eyre at school as part of English studies, I was 16 and just fell in love with it (it was the same year we read Wuthering Heights which I found too depressing). Jane is a strong, feisty young woman who is stubborn and determined to make the most out of her life no matter what is thrown her way. For the times it was written these were quite modern thoughts. In fact her Jane's character continued to work, allowing her to keep her independence, when she could have married St John Rivers - but she was only going to marry for love.I have lost count of the number of times I read it and it still brings much joy!! Many versions of Jane Eyre have been made for the screen, I have seen four of the eleven, with a twelfth being made in 2011 (according to Wikipedia!) . I particularly like the latest version (2006). I get very annoyed when filmmakers skip parts from books and they have certainly done it Jane Eyre with one version almost cutting out the part where Jane spends time with the Rivers family. Even the 2006 version isn't perfect and does have a slightly different ending (which I quite like).
I have to admit I have not read any other of Charlotte Bronte's books which include Shirley and Villette.
Yes, I remember reading Jane Eyre in Year eleven Englsih and loving it! Had a very invigorating teacher I recall.
ReplyDeleteAlas, though the names are familiar I am wracking my brain to remember it now :-(
I also remember Wuthering Heights and it was dreary but I liked studying it too. Must have been the fabulous Mrs McQueen!
Happy birthday, Charlotte.
I REALLY enjoyed reading Jane Eyre too :) Some books are just classics that would be hard to beat - especially by modern-day authors!
ReplyDeleteI love Janye Eyre as well. The 2006 version was good, but a part of me felt that Mr. Rochester was a bit too handsome....not that that's a bad thing for the viewers. :)
ReplyDeleteNot to bring you down, but have you ever noticed the irony in that so many of us good Christian women LOVE this book, yet it's about a young girl who falls in love with a married man? A married man who tries to go against the church to marry her? Rather ironic, though it does nothing to curtail my love for the story.
I have read Villette, and enjoyed it. It's not as good as Jane, and is very similar in many ways. Stil very much worth a read, though. I recommend it.
Hi Jo,
ReplyDeleteJane Eyre is a wonderful book, and I read it in year 11.
I didn't enjoy Wuthering Heights at all - too much swearing which isn't needed, if the author knows how to write effectively. :P
Have a wonderful and blessed week,
Love, Jillian ♥
Val, from my reading Jane didn't know Mr Rochester was married until they got to the church. He was the one who behaved inappropriately (sinfully) and not Jane. She ran away as fast as possible (which was the right thing to do) but with a broken heart as she loved him so much.
ReplyDeleteJilian, Wuthering Heights is a Gothic tale and very dark - Heathcliff was an very obsessed, floored character. Why they had us reading it at school I am not sure why. But then again I read a few strange books at school including: Lord of the Flies, The Pearl (by Steinbeck) and My Brother Jack. However I did like To Kill a Mockingbird. I loved reading the books, I disliked writing/analysing them!!
Jo
We have a lot in common regarding book choices. Although I love Jane Austen's novels I have to say Charlotte Bronte is my favourite. I wrote an essay in my final year of high school comparing the two authors, and while Austen can certainly write in an entertaining style, there is none of the depth of emotion in any of her stories that can rival what's found in Jane Eyre. I still remember blubbering like a baby when I read about the death of Helen Burns, and later when Jane discovered Mr Rochester's deception. (None of Austen's tales have made me cry.)
ReplyDeleteI'd better stop before I take over your comment page with my ramblings!