Absolute Favorite

I was going to title this "book review" but I don't feel like I'll actually be reviewing the book from a critical/ literary standpoint. Instead, I'm simply going to share why I absolutely LOVE Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte.

Being an English major in college, I obviously read quite a few pieces of literature. Thanks to my professors, I "met" authors I never would have encountered on my own, and thus actively sought more of their works. My favorite writers tended to be American, despite having read many British authors. In the course of all my studies, though, I never once was assigned Jane Eyre.

Upon graduating, I decided to read some of the classics simply for my own pleasure and knowledge. Despite my disinterest in British literature, I picked up JE... and fell in love.

Like most literature of that time (and place), the language is lofty and the sentences dense at times, yet those don't interfere with or slow down the story. (Shocker as this may sound, especially considering my training as an English teacher, I don't have the most expansive vocabulary, so lofty literature could impact my overall satisfaction with a book. As I think about it, though, I realize that several of my favorite books are those that elevate my vocabulary. Hmmm, maybe I should give myself more credit.) Instead, they allow the reader to connect with poor Jane and her situation. We see that though poor, she's not uneducated or unintelligent.

Her story itself evinces emotion from the reader; though I've read the novel innumerable times, I'm always overwhelmed by Jane's situation. I want to wring the necks of certain characters, or decry an injustice. I'm perplexed by one of Jane's decisions, though I'm beginning to better understand it. (I know I'm speaking in generalities, but I don't want to ruin the story for you. My hope is that you'll actually read it for yourself. It is SOOOOO good!)

Passion and reason are recurring topics. Should we forsake passion for reason, or vice versa? Jane is taught early on that one of these (again, I'm not spoiling anything!) has no place in life, especially for a girl of her station. This lesson prepares her for a time when she must willingly choose between the two. Though I know the outcome, I always hope that somehow, with every reading, it will change. Upon reading the novel this time, I do better understand her decision, and in some ways, I admire it. Here is a woman who will forsake what she wants most so that God's will might be done. (I came so close to spoiling it for you!) Wow. As a woman of faith, I don't know if I could do such. Jane's courage and strength are as humbling as they are frustrating.

I suppose I should end there. Otherwise, I really might spoil the story for you. Plus, I have yet to finish this reading of it, and well, today seems like a perfect day for cozying up with a book. Happy reading!