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Matthew's Reviews > Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: classic, required-reading-high-school, 2017, read-more-than-once
Jan 08, 2013
bookshelves: classic, required-reading-high-school, 2017, read-more-than-once
Read 2 times. Last read August 24, 2017 to September 2, 2017.
I read this book back in High School. I hated it. I thought it was boring and stupid and all I wanted to do was spread the word that this book was terrible and no one should read it. I had it marked one star on Goodreads and it had a home on my least favorite shelf.
Well, I have been waiting years to find the perfect place to use this gif:
I reread in late August, early September 2017. I have to say that I should probably reread everything I read bank in High School to get a better perspective.
I enjoyed the book quite a bit this time. The story in intricate and dark. Jane Eyre is a tragic hero who does her best through the whole book but keeps encountering unfortunate situation after unfortunate situation. The story held my interest a lot more than some other classic novels I have read.
My only complaint was a few times certain plot points were belabored. I found myself saying, "Okay, I get it, let's move on."
So, everyone, if you remember a book from your youth with less than enthusiastic fondness, it might be worth giving it another shot. You never know what you might find!
Well, I have been waiting years to find the perfect place to use this gif:
I reread in late August, early September 2017. I have to say that I should probably reread everything I read bank in High School to get a better perspective.
I enjoyed the book quite a bit this time. The story in intricate and dark. Jane Eyre is a tragic hero who does her best through the whole book but keeps encountering unfortunate situation after unfortunate situation. The story held my interest a lot more than some other classic novels I have read.
My only complaint was a few times certain plot points were belabored. I found myself saying, "Okay, I get it, let's move on."
So, everyone, if you remember a book from your youth with less than enthusiastic fondness, it might be worth giving it another shot. You never know what you might find!
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
January 8, 2013
– Shelved
March 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
classic
February 21, 2015
– Shelved as:
required-reading-high-school
August 24, 2017
–
Started Reading
August 24, 2017
– Shelved as:
2017
August 24, 2017
– Shelved as:
read-more-than-once
September 2, 2017
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 91 (91 new)
message 1:
by
Aditya
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Apr 02, 2017 06:37AM
Could you explain?
reply
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I read it in high school and remember hating the experience, but not much else. I plan to reread someday to see if my opinion has changed.
Best of luck this time around Matthew! 😊
Loretta wrote: "Best of luck this time around Matthew! 😊"So far, I am liking it!
Matthew wrote: "Loretta wrote: "Best of luck this time around Matthew! 😊"So far, I am liking it!"
Isn't it strange how that happens Matthew? I mean the books you read in school were just horrible and then you try them again, when you've older, wiser, I hope! and they are! Happened to me with 1984. Absolutely hated in school! I just read it again and wow, five star read!
Luís wrote: "Strange, very strange..."😁
Agreed, Matthew. We have had so many experiences since K-12. If we have changed, so too may our tastes and perceptions.
I guess the reread takeaway lesson is: NOBODY PUTS JANIE IN A CORNER! lol! :-) Glad you gave it another chance and liked it!
HBalikov wrote: "Agreed, Matthew. We have had so many experiences since K-12. If we have changed, so too may our tastes and perceptions."Definitely - I wonder if it would go the other way, too (i.e. a book I loved not seeming all that great now)
Jenna wrote: "I guess the reread takeaway lesson is: NOBODY PUTS JANIE IN A CORNER! lol! :-) Glad you gave it another chance and liked it!"So happy you knew where this is from - it is my favorite quote from the movie.
Great review, Matthew! And I agree with your .gif! :)
I need to go back and re-read a lot of things too! Well said and great review.
PS Excellent giffing btw lol
Val ⚓️ ShamelessBitchySKANKY ⚓️ Steamy Reads wrote: "PS Excellent giffing btw lol"Val ⚓️ ShamelessBitchySKANKY ⚓️ Steamy Reads wrote: "I need to go back and re-read a lot of things too! Well said and great review."
Jaline wrote: "Great review, Matthew! And I agree with your .gif! :)"
Thanks! And, thanks for the GIF love! I am just glad they had one for this!
Books are so much better when you aren't forced to read them, that's for sure! Glad you enjoyed it this time
Sue wrote: "Books are so much better when you aren't forced to read them, that's for sure! Glad you enjoyed it this time"Thanks! I have heard that before, but there were a few required readings that I liked. Maybe if I went back and read those they would really blow me away! 😁
Glad you revisited it! This is one of my favorites (:
Michelle wrote: "Glad you revisited it! This is one of my favorites (:"Me too! Seems to get a lot of high marks around Goodreads.
Glad to see this come across, Matt. Applause for the perfect place to use the gif!
First of all, I'm impressed that you read when in high school. And don't beat yourself up for not liking it back then - we change, some more than others. Great review. :-)
Zoeytron wrote: "Glad to see this come across, Matt. Applause for the perfect place to use the gif!"Thanks! 😃
Bianca wrote: "First of all, I'm impressed that you read when in high school. And don't beat yourself up for not liking it back then - we change, some more than others. Great review. :-)"Thanks! Yes, not sure if it still is, but back in the 90s Jane Eyre was a staple of high school required reading.
I'm so glad you liked this! :)When I read JE, I did it under the desk... it was considered "romance" and not suited for school reading! Ah, how the times change! LOL
I read this in high school and loved it. i wonder what would happen if i read it now? Could it could the other way around?
Mei wrote: "I'm so glad you liked this! :)When I read JE, I did it under the desk... it was considered "romance" and not suited for school reading! Ah, how the times change! LOL"
This is interesting to me, because I was remembering it as "romance", but it really isn't much of a romance (at least, I guess, as I now define romance in my head). Certainly a lot about relationships, but not really a bodice-ripper!
Adina wrote: "I read this in high school and loved it. i wonder what would happen if i read it now? Could it could the other way around?"I suppose it is possible. I have gone back to watch a few movies I loved as a kid and thought they were pretty bad now. I haven't done a whole lot of rereads, tough.
Matthew wrote: "This is interesting to me, because I was remembering it as "romance", but it really isn't much of a romance (at least, I guess, as I now define romance in my head). Certainly a lot about relationships, but not really a bodice-ripper!"It was the same with Gone With the Wind. That too was considered romance!
It's just the demonstration how books are labeled through time - what is now considered like classic historical fiction, then was considered romance! I don't know if you red Thorn Birds - I don't consider it romance, but also historical fiction... There're a lot of books that some 40 years ago were considerated romance, but actually now are classics... Strange, no? LOL
Mei wrote: "Matthew wrote: "This is interesting to me, because I was remembering it as "romance", but it really isn't much of a romance (at least, I guess, as I now define romance in my head). Certainly a lot ..."Definitely not surprised - just means I need to approach these with a more open mind!
The story intrigues me but I have never been able to get through an Austen or Bronte novel. I just do not like the writing style or the genre I suppose. It kills me. I may have to give this one a try but I fear it’ll end the way my other efforts have...
Jennifer wrote: "The story intrigues me but I have never been able to get through an Austen or Bronte novel. I just do not like the writing style or the genre I suppose. It kills me. I may have to give this one a t..."It did take a lot to try it again. While it is still not my favorite genre or style of writing, I am thankful that my rememberance of total dislike was not confirmed. If you try, I hope you enjoy!
Now I’m feeling guilty and want to reread ‘A house for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul. I found it to be boring and way to long. It’s over 600pgs 😬 🤭
Kells Next Read wrote: "Now I’m feeling guilty and want to reread ‘A house for Mr Biswas by V.S. Naipaul. I found it to be boring and way to long. It’s over 600pgs 😬 🤭"I wouldn't feel too guilty - we couldn't have been wrong about all the books we read when we were younger, right!?
It was one of the first “classics” I read, I was in the early summer between 6th and 7th grade, a neighbor who taught English gave me free reign to borrow from her book shelves. I fell in love. I have read and re-read this book so many times, it is a comfort in the bad times, a friend in the darkness. I feel a review coming on. Matthew, I am glad your revisit had such a positive impact.
what in the name of all that is holy is happening on the cover of this book!? Did it take place in the old west? How did I miss this?
Kim wrote: "It was one of the first “classics” I read, I was in the early summer between 6th and 7th grade, a neighbor who taught English gave me free reign to borrow from her book shelves. I fell in love. I h..."After this one, I think I will revisit more of the ones I read back in school - both good and bad!
Sara wrote: "what in the name of all that is holy is happening on the cover of this book!? Did it take place in the old west? How did I miss this?"I actually watched a video about how just about every edition of Jane Eyre has the worst covers!
Matthew wrote: "Sara wrote: "what in the name of all that is holy is happening on the cover of this book!? Did it take place in the old west? How did I miss this?"I actually watched a video about how just about ..."
Reminds me of the "post Twilight" rush to give basically every classic romance that might possibly appeal to teens a "Twilight" makeover. Because if there's one thing "Jane Eyre" needs its to be more sexy for the teens!
Glad you enjoyed it more this time.
It's always a risk to reread books from long ago, though less so if you didn't like it first time round. I'm glad you've come to appreciate Jane.
Teresa wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it more this time."Thanks, Teresa! 😊
Cecily wrote: "It's always a risk to reread books from long ago, though less so if you didn't like it first time round. I'm glad you've come to appreciate Jane."I was quite optimistic about a reread for a couple of reasons:
1. I don't trust my required reading teenage self
2. I have been loving some classics lately from this genre
Cecily wrote: "LOL at your #1."😃😃😃😃
Matt, I had the same feelings and response to this book and now I’m enjoying it more than many other books I’ve read in a while. Time and distance change many things.
Peter wrote: "Matt, I had the same feelings and response to this book and now I’m enjoying it more than many other books I’ve read in a while. Time and distance change many things."Glad to hear that you are having the same experience as me!
I think that sometimes a book has to come to us at the right age and high school English teachers often cause problems by forcing books on others at a time that they are not developmentally ready for it. Few teenager boys would be really happy reading what is a really well written Gothic pot-boiler about a young girl in her 20's!
Elaine wrote: "I think that sometimes a book has to come to us at the right age and high school English teachers often cause problems by forcing books on others at a time that they are not developmentally ready f..."True - some of the books they had us read I loved -
Animal Farm and Gulliver's Travels to name a couple. Perhaps those are more geared to the mind of the teenage boy!
Yes. I have a teenage son and he loved Animal Farms -- talking pigs are always a great way to sneak in a little education.
So agree on Jane Eyre, I’m pretty sure I would have hated it at school, but at 50+ it’s brilliant, maybe I should take a long look at the classics I hated as a teen.
