So romantic I remember my heart beating whenever Mr. Rochester would show up. ( )

A wonderful book ( )

The new Norton Critical Edition of _Jane Eyre_ is absolutely fantastic. The addition of contextual information just blew me away when I saw it. I have an old Tor copy of the novel that, while quite good, just doesn't compare to this. Among the contexts are letters from Charlotte during her time as a governess, records from her stay at school (much like Jane's!), and excerpts/descriptions of Bewick's Birds, which plays such an important part in the novel. What a wonderful copy of the book to have!

The story of Jane Eyre itself is quite good, I should add. It is, of course, a common assignment in school, but no wonder when it has so much weight in the 19th Century English-language canon, and so much impact on modern romance novels.

Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite novels, and I always find something new and intriguing in it. It is well-crafted and leaves nothing of importance out. (Not that one can say the same of the many movie adaptations...) ( )

Jane Eyre is one of my favorites, and the criticism here is enlightening and worth reading for the most part. As a critical edition, this one succeeds and draws you in even after the story at particular points. ( )

I can't emphasize this enough: Just jump in and give this book a try, even if it's only so that you might see who Jane Eyre actually is. I've read the book a number of times, and yet can never quite get my head around her! Homely and orphaned, but fiercely smart and fiercely independent, Jane is forever striving to better her situation and her self while maintaining her own self-respect according to her uncompromising morals. Jane is one of a kind -- a woman of great constitution in literature, who moves with stunning competence and level-headedness through the world, despite her losses and the oppressive rules of a society that does not favor her class or sex. Charlotte Brontë has REALLY created someone special here -- not to mention the gripping, tragic romance that makes the novel such a compelling read to begin with! ( )