Jane Eyre

by Charlotte Bronte

Set in Victorian England, Jane Eyre tells the story of a young orphan girl raised by her abusive aunt. When she turns 18 she finds work as the governess at Thornfield Hall, the manor of a wealthy gentleman Mr. Rochester. Despite the significant gap in social status between Jane and Rochester, the two slowly fall for each other. That’s when Jane discovers a horrible secret in Rochester’s past which forces her to flee Thornfield. Will she ever see Rochester again, or is their love lost forever? Jane Eyre is the Victorian Era-version of a “slow burn” romance, but Jane herself is far from being a besotted starry-eyed schoolgirl (despite her age). Rather, she is sensible, brilliant, witty, and introspective: in short, a perfect female protagonist. The story itself is intelligent, well-written, and proves an entertaining read despite Brontë’s tendency to launch into long-winded diatribes against the unjust treatment of women in the 19th century.