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REVIEW: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Reader, this book was published in 1847. Back then, writers liked to describe every bird and leaf and brooklet. Dialogue often consisted of elaborate monologues. Many of the ideas and values of the time are outdated and even offensive today. Still, I couldn’t help but love it. I read an advanced copy, beautifully illustrated by Marjolein Bastin. This would be the perfect edition to own, with gorgeous watercolor paintings that Jane herself would aspire to create. What satisfied me about Jane Eyre was her spirit and character – she was unapologetically herself. She reminded me a little bit of Anne Shirley (except that Anne was more “apologetically” herself.) Jane just wants to be accepted for who she is, but she is unloved for most of her early life. The story follows Jane Eyre through several stages. Her childhood as an orphan living with cruel relatives is heartbreaking. She endures hardship at a poorly run boarding school. She is comfortable, but unfulfilled as a governess at Thor
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REVIEW (part one): The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

I have just read the first 120 pages of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Only another 1100 or so pages to go.

The setting of Marseilles is richly described and the story is anchored in the politics of historical France. The main character is Edmond Dantès: young, successful and in love. Three men jealous of Dantès conspire to frame him for treason. He has just been sent off to prison without a trial.

This was originally published as a serial novel, possibly in collaboration with a ghost writer. The writing is wordy and not very subtle; it is full of passion and suspense. I can tell that the next thousand pages are going to fly by as I immerse myself in the adventure and drama about to unfold.

‘Ah! Yes, indeed,’ said Edmond. And, without leaving Mercédès whose hand he held clasped in one of his own, he extended the other with a cordial gesture towards the Catalan. But Fernand, instead of responding to this sign of friendship, remained as silent and motionless as a statue. It was enough to make Edmond look enquiringly from Mercédès, who was trembling with emotion, to Fernand, sombre and threatening.

That one glance told him everything. His brow clouded with rage.

‘I did not realize that I had hurried round to see you, Mercédès, only to find an enemy here.’

I love a good plot-based novel, as long as the plot is dynamic enough to capture my imagination. This one has.

The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas
Translated from French by Robin Buss
First published 1844
Published May 27th 2003 by Penguin Classics
1276 pages


Comments

  1. Graham CrosbyJuly 16, 2020 at 1:10 PM

    One of those big novels that I've never got round to reading. Thanks for the reminder - I'll add it to the read soon list!

    ReplyDelete

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