Help, please... if you have NOT read Jane Eyre.

[mer]

...Or, if you remember what you thought it was about before you read it.

Those of you who have not read Jane Eyre, nor seen the movie, could you summarize in the comments for me what you think the book is about... with specifics regarding plot... and what your occupation is? And how/what other Victorian literature you have read instead?

I realize this is a weird request, but it's research for a book. I promise.


When I asked my husband the question, he said, "It's about women. And there's yammering. Because they can't marry who they want to marry." He's a computer guy. I couldn't even guess what Victorian literature he's read, but I'd suspect it's like one work of Dickens forced on him in school.

Comments

[laurelar.livejournal.com]

Dann said basically what I would say. I've never read it, but this is the path my brain takes:

-Jane Eyre invokes thoughts of Jane Austen (for whatever reason, I realize she didn't write it).

-I hate Jane Austen. She is basically the Harlequin novel of her time.

-Its friends/sisters/whatever fighting over men who mostly stand around looking nice, and otherwise have no personality or redeeming qualities.

-It is raunchy. Much more raunchy than is appropriate for the time.

-And very drawn out. Often with Much ado About Nothing or Comedy of Errors. (both things which can get on my nerves.)

Sorry. Its what I think. (shrug) This is without googling it, which I am about to go do.

(I do like Dickens, though. More tragic and suffering.) Mostly, I like mysteries, current literature, or the occasional 30-something crap (good beach reading). So take my thoughts for what it is worth to you.

[laurelar.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, I didn't see the rest of your questions. I am a teacher. I've probably read a couple of Jane Austens (Seen movies), Dickens, and I tried so hard to read Lady Chatterly's lover, but I never got past the first chapter. I am sure there are other things... But everything else I am coming up with right now is probably American. (Scarlet Letter, Great Gatsby (which I hated)?)

[merriehaskell.livejournal.com]

Thanks, this is a useful data point.

For the record, based on what you wrote, if you ever did read either Austen or Jane Eyre, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised. :)