Jane Eyre

Author: Charlotte Bronte

Translator: Lulu Wijaya

Publisher: PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Publication Date: October 2010

Pages: 688

Jane Eyre is one of the most excellent classic novel written by Charlotte Bronte. It was first published in London in 1847 with the title Jane Eyre. The Autobiography under the pen name Currer Bell.

The novel follows the emotions and experiences of Jane Eyre, the lead character, her growth to childhood and her love to Mr. Rochester, the master of Thornfield Hall. It goes to five different stages of Jane's life, her childhood at Gateshead, where she emotionally and physically abused by her aunt and cousins. Her education at Lowood school, where she gets friends and role models but also suffers privations and oppression. Her time as the governess of Thornfield Hall, where she falls in love with her employer, Edward Rochester, her time with the Rivers family during which her cousin, St John Rivers, proposes to her and the final is her reunion with her beloved Rochester.

So what is so special about this novel? The plot of the story is actually not so special, it's started with a poor-little-orphaned-girl with no one cares about then closed with a love story that full of obstacles, what haunting me  until to date is the vivid characters the author created. I love the characters of  Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester. The author is a real master who comes up with in-depth exploration of strong female character's feeling. She created Jane Eyre as a remarkable character and a very strong female character in a genre that usually draws women as beautiful victims. Those wonderful and memorable characters makes this novel special, more than  just a Gothic romance.

There have been numerous adaptations and related works inspired by Jane Eyre such as silent films since 1910, the motion pictures versions from 1934 until 2011, musical versions, radio shows, television versions and even graphic novel. I am curious about the latest film adaptation of Jane Eyre  made by director Cary Fukunaga in 2011, got to find it soon.

And this novel is highly recommended. Definitely an all time favorite's book.