Marred only by the fact that Charlotte clearly liked Mr Rochester too much; but we can forgive her that. Often given to schoolchildren to read, but you have to be a grown-up to really get it. One of the most perfectly structured novels of all time
Sarah Waters,

Marred only by the fact that Charlotte clearly liked Mr Rochester too much; but we can forgive her that. Often given to schoolchildren to read, but you have to be a grown-up to really get it. One of the most perfectly structured novels of all time
Sarah Waters,

At the end we are steeped through and through with the genius, the vehemence, the indignation of Charlotte Brontë
Virginia Woolf,

At the end we are steeped through and through with the genius, the vehemence, the indignation of Charlotte Brontë
Virginia Woolf,

Jane Eyre's suspense-laden, melodramatic plot – featuring child cruelty and attempted bigamy, as well as the celebrated madwoman – explains much of its appeal… Jane Eyre is a book into which generations of readers have escaped. And yet it seems to provide something far more sustaining than the escapist fantasy… Her technical skill at writing the self in a first-person narrative is supreme, her words carefully chosen
Lucasta Miller, Guardian

Jane Eyre's suspense-laden, melodramatic plot – featuring child cruelty and attempted bigamy, as well as the celebrated madwoman – explains much of its appeal… Jane Eyre is a book into which generations of readers have escaped. And yet it seems to provide something far more sustaining than the escapist fantasy… Her technical skill at writing the self in a first-person narrative is supreme, her words carefully chosen
Lucasta Miller, Guardian

Charlotte Bronte was surely a marvellous woman. If it could be right to judge the work of a novelist from one small portion of one novel [JE], and to say of an author that he is to be accounted as strong as he shows himself to be in his strongest morsel of work, I should be inclined to put Miss Bronte very high indeed. I know of no interest more thrilling than that which she has been able to throw into the characters of Rochester and the governess, in the second volume of Jane Eyre
Anthony Trollope,

Charlotte Bronte was surely a marvellous woman. If it could be right to judge the work of a novelist from one small portion of one novel [JE], and to say of an author that he is to be accounted as strong as he shows himself to be in his strongest morsel of work, I should be inclined to put Miss Bronte very high indeed. I know of no interest more thrilling than that which she has been able to throw into the characters of Rochester and the governess, in the second volume of Jane Eyre
Anthony Trollope,

Great genius
William Makepeace Thackeray,

Great genius
William Makepeace Thackeray,

Passionately independent orphan falls for the perfect romantic anti-hero. But then she discovers what he keeps in his attic...
Maggie O’Farrell,

Passionately independent orphan falls for the perfect romantic anti-hero. But then she discovers what he keeps in his attic...
Maggie O’Farrell,

Rachel Courtenay-Pinfield 28 July 2011

As far as classics go, this book ticks all the boxes - the gothic descriptions of the harsh, bleak landscapes that Jane finds herself in are mesmerising, the passionate affair between Jane and the original 'tormented soul' Mr Rochester is poignant and beautifully developed, and the ending is satisfying without being cliched. All in all, Bronte creates a novel which, although the narrative is hard going in places, is easy to fall into, and give yourself up to completely. The careful and steady development of the plot, as well her as her controversial (for the time) tackling of issues such as class, gender equality, illusions of beauty and poverty makes this a must read of the classics of English literature. And once you've read it, there are a whole host of TV and film adaptations to be seen - as well as an upcoming release of a film version with Michael Fassbender (X Men) and Mia Wasikowska (Alice In Wonderland) - Enjoy!