Review of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classic romances.

Jane Eyre spent her first ten years in the home of her aunt, a woman who tormented her and taught her children to do the same. When Jane was ten, her aunt sent her to a boarding school that treated her cruelly at first until illness decimates the pupils.

Once grown, Jane stays on as a teacher until her interests stray outside the school. She finds a placement at Thornfield Hall as a governess working for the broody Mr. Rochester.

The pair forms a friendship, and Jane begins to fall for him right as he seems to be about to propose to a rich and beautiful woman from a wealthy family.

Soon after, the surprise of her life turns into a nightmare she never dreamed of.

Jane and Mr. Rochester are at times horrible to each other and at other times very tender and loving. Against the standards of the time, Jane is intelligent and unafraid to speak her mind. She is plain but fiery and passionate. Mr. Rochester is the same.

The climax comes relatively early in the book which is somewhat unusual by today's standards, and it shocked me. There were hints and foreshadowing that helped it not shock me so much I broke from the story. 

This novel is highly romantic and full of mystery. I recommend this to both romantics and those who don't like sugary sweetness in their novels.