Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
Penguin Books, 1985

First impression:
Jane Eyre has been part of my course literature before, but like Hamlet, only in Swedish, and several years ago. Returning to it now, I am struck by how thoroughly overestimated it is by the literary elite.

Review:
As I may previously have said, my favourite bit of Jane Eyre is the appearance of Rochester's special friend, merely because it is so entirely uncalled for. I approve of the references to supernatural beings and occurrences by the characters, as well; but most of the rest is a dreary read. Especially the chapters referring to Jane Eyre's childhood are overdone and too expectant of sympathy, reminding me a lot of The Girl (in the review of which I, oddly, referred to Jane Eyre as some sort of masterpiece) in its attention-seeking misery. Although the whole work did gain some of my affections eventually, I honestly cannot tell what all the fuss is about. Out of the wonderful world of 19th century literature, Jane Eyre does definitely not deserve the top spot it has been given.

Rating: Decent