Recent Reads | Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I’ve set myself a lot of goals for reading this year, mostly because I’m a very sporadic reader and either read everything or nothing at all. One of my big goals is to work my way through a pre-determined list of 30 classic books (I wrote more about that HERE if you’d like the full story). I do enjoy a good classic novel every now and then. There are some that I’ve read several times and love with all my heart. But I’ve found that in general when I’m grabbing a book for an evening’s entertainment, I almost always go  for a lighter, modern book. Not that those books aren’t also great, but if you’ve got a goal to read more classic novels then that habit isn’t exactly helpful. So setting this goal and this reading list for myself is one way I’m trying to help myself explore more classic books instead of just convincing myself I’ll get around to it sometime.

My first classic read of this year is Jane Eyre. Technically this is a reread, as I have read it a couple of times before. I figured starting my classics campaign with a book I’m already somewhat familiar with would be a good way to ease myself into it. Still, it being a classic novel, and those usually requiring a bit more of my brainpower than other books, I figured I’d need to set some daily page goals to make sure that I actually read the book instead of cheating on it with some other book. I laugh at that thought now, having just spent an entire morning when I was meant to be writing instead read devouring the last 200 pages to get to the end because I was just so invested. 

One of my favourite things about Jane Eyre is Jane herself. As I reread the book, I was surprised to find how strong she is. She’s not some weak-willed girl who simply allows the plot to happen to her. She has her beliefs that she will stick to, no matter how difficult it might be. She’s passionate, and loves wholeheartedly, but is logical as well. I’ve often been frustrated by characters who are hot tempered and passionate to the point of being ridiculous, or logical and cold to the point of being almost heartless. Jane Eyre is a character I could relate to, who has a compelling story and who takes control of her own destiny, who has a flawed character, but at the same time isn’t irritating. For a character who, because of her own social status, struggles to be truly independent, she is a strong female lead, the sort that I would love to be able to write myself.

I think that what draws me most to this book, outside of the compelling story of hardship and trials, forbidden love, madness and redemption, which is certainly a huge draw in its own right, is this thread of doing what is right, no matter what other people have done to you, or how pleasant temptation might appear to be. The core of this book is just so right. No matter how tough things are for Jane, you know she’s always trying to do the right thing, and you can hold onto that the whole time. For all the drama and excitement, it’s such a comforting sort of book at the same time.

Jane Eyre reminds me of how good classic books can be, and sitting here, I’m suddenly longing to dip back into some of my other favourites. The Blue Castle, Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice leap immediately to mind. Classic books aren’t always the easiest read. The style is so different to what we’re used to reading every day that sometimes they need more effort than I ever expect. But oh, there are some good ones out there. Books like Jane Eyre that give you drama, excitement, secrets and difficult conditions, but also a strong heart with a good message. And that makes for a satisfying story.

Have you read Jane Eyre? What is your favourite classic novel? What is one classic novel you’ve always wanted to read?