Welcome to the new
Book Blogger Hop,
hosted by Billy @
He took over this hop from
Jennifer @ Crazy For Books.
I'm so glad he decided to
continue with this weekly feature!
For more information, click HERE.
What to Do
1.) Post on your blog answering this week's
question:
What is your favorite classic novel?
2.) Enter the link to your post in the
Linky list on Bill's blog.
3.) Visit other blogs on the list and
comment on their posts.
4.) Be sure to find out next week's
question when you visit Bill's blog!
My Answer
I was tempted to say that it's impossible for me to choose just one, but, although I have several favorites, there's really only one novel that I can single out as my absolute, all-time favorite classic: Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte.
I first became captivated by this novel at the age of eighteen, and have loved it ever since. The story of Jane and the enigmatic Edward Rochester, who lives in the gloomy, mysterious, Thornfield Hall, is one that I will always treasure! This novel set the pattern for the romance novel genre, although perhaps few authors can possibly write prose as sublime as Bronte's.
I've read this novel twice, and must really re-read it sometime in the near future! In fact, I love it so much, I have several editions of it!
Here are some of my copies:
What do you think of
my answer?
What's your favorite
classic novel?
Nice choice Maria!
ReplyDeleteI have never read this. It seems to be a very popular book for women to read but I really do want to read it. It looks to be well worth it for anyone.
Hey, Brian!
DeleteI'm glad you like my choice! This is indeed a novel favored by women, because all of the events are narrated by Jane, and come from a woman's perspective. The emphasis is on the relationship between Jane and Edward, but it does go beyond that. Bronte also uses this novel to criticize the hypocrisy of some Christian clergy of the time, as well as to bring to light the abuses common in boarding schools, especially those for orphans.
The book is beautifully and masterfully written, as well. I've been thinking of getting the audio version, too, just so I can delight in the beautiful prose....ah, bliss!
This novel is also a kind of feminist manifesto, because Jane is a very outspoken, independent woman. She refuses to compromise her ideals, even if she has to face heartbreak and loss while doing so.
To me, this novel is one of the greatest masterpieces ever written! So I definitely recommend it to you! I've also read "Rebecca", by Daphne du Maurier, which was influenced by "Jane Eyre". I think this is high praise -- an suthor being so impressed by another author's work, that it influences their own.
Thanks for visiting and commenting!! : )
I'm actually in the process of reading this one right now and much to my surprise, it is turning out to be quite enjoyable. I am digging Bronte's style of writing, which can be a little flowery at times but it still flows along nicely. My only minor quibble so far is that Jane along with some of the other young children at the orphanage possess a vocabulary and diction that seems way too advanced for their age. Again, it's not a huge distraction and perhaps it has to do with the time period or the fact that Jane is narrating the story as a mature woman. What are your thoughts on this?
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Hop! :)
Hey, Jason!
DeleteAs you know, I LOVE this novel!! I'm SO glad you're enjoying it!! And yes, her writing style is just WONDERFUL!! It's not too flowery for me, but then again, maybe women are more partial to flowery prose. Lol.
I do agree with you that the vocabulary and diction of the kids at the orphanage/school sound quite advanced for their age. It could very well be because Jane is narrating this from the viewpoint of a grown woman, as you say. It could also be because the whole idea of children being CHILDREN is a very recent one. I read about this once, but don't remember where or when. Until not that long ago, children were perceived as little adults, and were expected to act accordingly. Of course reading dialogues such as the ones Jane and Helen have in this novel would be quite jarring to us, since we have kids' programs on TV, as well as books written specifically for kids. So we're not used to children speaking like adults. Perhaps, however, that was commonplace at the time. Still, Jane and Helen do come off sounding like child prodigies!
Thanks for visiting, and leaving such a thought-provoking comment!! I'll come over to check out your answer! : )
P.S. Happy Blog Hop to you, too!! : )
DeleteThis is my favorite work out of all of the Bronte sister's works! I think it is elegantly written and the character of Jane often reminds me of a more refined Jo in Little Women.
ReplyDeleteKatelynn
literarychameleon.blogspot.com
Hi, Katelynn!
DeleteOh, I TOTALLY agree with you on that!! And I also think that it's elegantly written. What an astute observation you've made on Jane's character! Now that you mention it, she DOES remind me somewhat of Jo in "Little Women"! I'm sure that "Jane Eyre" had some influence on Louisa May Alcott's own work!
Thanks for such an interesting comment!! I'll be visiting your hop answer! : )
I have to confess, I never read it. But, I do love the movie adaptations :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday!
Mei @ Diary of a Fair Weather Diver
Hi, Mei!
DeleteYes, there are many movie adaptations. I've seen only two: the original 1940s film, with Orson Welles (on TV), and a made-for-TV movie starring George C. Scott. I'd love to see the 2005 film with Timothy Dalton, because I think he's SOOO sexy!! But I'd also love to see the most recent version.
Since you've seen the movies, you really should read the book. It's a true masterpiece! And you'll get to savor Bronte's GORGEOUS prose!!
Thanks for the visit and the comment!! I'll be visiting your blog, as well.
Happy Friday to you, too!! : )
I forgot about Jane Eyre....Love that book too.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is Rebecca.
Happy Hopping!!
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog Hop Answer
Hi, Elizabeth!
DeleteI'm so glad you love "Jane Eyre", too! The novel "Rebecca" is, as you know, a cousin, but I honestly think the plot is different enough that it can stand on its own. I LOVE that novel, too!!
Thanks for visiting and commenting!! I'll be going over to your blog to read your answer!! : )
A fellow Jane Eyre lover! Yay! Jane herself is such a wonderful, independent woman. Her relationship with Edward Rochester is not common in 19th century literature, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteHi, Masanobu!
DeleteOh, I'm SO glad there's more than one of us here in the blogosphere!! Lol. I LOVE Jane's independent, and yet, passionate nature. She's also a very intelligent woman. No, her relationship with Edward Rochester is not at all common in the literature of the time. That's why this novel is, at the same time, a feminist manifesto! It's due for another re-read, too!!
Thank you SO much for your great comment!! : )
It seems lots of people are putting this ... I've never read it. Suppose I should add it to my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteHave a good one Maria!
Hi, Ashley!
DeleteOh, this is such a WONDERUL novel!! Yes, you should DEFINITELY read it! Jane is a tremendously interesting heroine, and Rochester is, quite simply TO DIE FOR.
You have a good one, too! Thanks for the visit and the comment!! : )
These are great covers for Jane Eyre. This book is also one of my favorites. I didn't list it because I had too many mentioned already, lol.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I wish I had the space to buy multiple copies of the same book. There are so many beautiful covers/editions out there that I just want them!
Hey, Vonnie!
DeleteI do have several other favorites, but didn't list them because I OVERWHILMINGLY LOVE "Jane Eyre"!! If I HAD listed them, some of them would have been: "A Tale of Two Cities", "Oliver Twist", "To Kill A Mockingbird", "Treasure Island" "Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and "Crime and Punishment".
You wish you had "the space to buy multiple copies of the same book"? Ha! What makes you think I have the space? But I keep buying and buying, because I AM A TOTALLY OBSESSED BOOKWORM AND BIBLIOPHILE. Lol. Girl, you should see my place!! There are literally books nearly EVERYWHERE. My husband groans every time I ask him to drop me off at Barnes & Noble! And I also buy online! As a matter of fact, today I was adding up my purchases for this month, and I think (I didn't quite finish listing them all) the total is close to $300.00!!!!! Woe is me....I seriously have to put the brakes on myself....
Just today, I spent $24.99 on Ebay, for an Easton Press copy (leather bound) of Milton's "Paradise Lost"......Oh, I'm really lost.....lost in BOOKS!!!!!
Anyway....there are indeed many editions with beautiful covers, and I want them all.....
Thanks for commenting back!! : )
lol What I meant to say is...
DeleteI still live with my parents. My parents do not allow me to spread my books around the house. All my books stay in my room. I'm somewhat claustrophobic so I really don't like clutter. As much as I like my books, I have to be careful how many I get and how I organized them.
Once I get my own place though, I think I'll go nuts like you ;)