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tayaingrid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Colonisation
theothergrl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
If it were for that I'd give it 5 stars, however the 2nd half is heavily racist, ableist, xenophobic, and classist. Themes of colonialism and religious missions, institutionalisation, grooming (Jane is sadly very much groomed by the men in her life), etc. There is no condemnation of any of this, no revolt against bigotry in the narrative. Therefore, I can't give it a pass for being "of its time", as there are many classics which either resist against or refuse to entertain such bigotry.
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Incest, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, and Drug abuse
yuripiano's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing style itself definitely showed its age - there were about 200 pages too many for my liking, and the liberal usage of dependent clauses was noticeably distracting. Also, something that annoyed me to no end was the way in which the character's dialogue was written which was entirely not how any normal person would have spoken, regardless of the time frame.
Now, writing aside, the book was surprisingly relatable. The middle portion in particular with Jane at Thornfield was believable in terms of a young girl falling head over heels for a decidedly childish older man that's entirely no good for her and full of red flags.
... or, I'm projecting based on my own relationships.
In a way, the fervor she felt for her master during said portion kept making me feel like this was some sort of 1800s version of Fifty Shades of Grey.
(Funnily enough, the Wikipedia article for that book has someone from The New York Times calling it "like a Brontë devoid of talent" which amuses me but is besides the point.)
I appreciated the independence that Jane showed throughout most of the book, which I guess is why
I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable the book would be - after reading a number of classics that I didn't enjoy, this was for the most part readable. There were a number of things I didn't like, such as
It gave me Violet Evergarden feelings, except in a much less compelling manner that made me roll my eyes.
I would have given it a 2.75, but I bumped it up to a 3 because as a submissive person, reading her say "my master" made us feel things that Charlotte Brontë surely didn't intend, but we're running with it anyway.
Moderate: Sexism
ella7211's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
ritzee13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Also, I didn't realise how many red flags poor Jane is surrounded by. I begrudged her choice to go back to Rochester, but he was so much better than her cousin.
The story provides keen insight into what could happen to a poor and helpless woman in a patriarchal society. It seems so easy for the men in her life to push her around and even order her to marry them, it makes me so uncomfortable.
Also, as an Indian woman, I find St. Johns mission to rid the hindu heathens of their beliefs so ridiculous and disturbing. I don't know how people can go around claiming they have the greatest thing and try to fear monger people into a religion, its baffling.
Moderate: Violence, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Racism, Misogyny, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Incest, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
mandapanda8's review
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Sexism and Physical abuse
melist6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Classism, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent and Incest
lunar_moths's review
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexism, Chronic illness, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, and Classism
condor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Colonisation, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death of parent, Classism, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
brodi727's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts