4 STARS •IMAGINATIVE, WITTY, FULL OF CHILD-LIKE CURIOSITY, and most importantly: ABSURD ________________
Also, I would like to put this out there:4 STARS •IMAGINATIVE, WITTY, FULL OF CHILD-LIKE CURIOSITY, and most importantly: ABSURD ________________
Also, I would like to put this out there: I donotlike this book simply because of “nostalgia” — in fact, I had watched the 1985 movie as a kid and despised it, despite watching it so many times that I can still remember how each scene plays out.But I’ve always loved the world of Wonderland (if only for the iconic characters it brought to me), and so I’ll always love this book for that at least. And that’s what makes this book a solid 4 star read for me. ________________
TO THE REVIEW:
This book was absolutely, deliciouslyabsurd;a fast-paced, delightful joy to read.
It made me want to go back in time to theimaginative, make-belief adventuresI embarked in as a child, into a world that made no sense to anyone else but madeperfectsense to me.
Carroll’s writing is soWITTY— AAHH I loved it. It has the perfect timing for the perfect absurdly comedic touch.
'We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.'
'Actually, I am right on time.'
'Curiouser and curiouser!'
'And the moral of that is— "Be what you would seem to be" —or, if you’d like it put more simply— "Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise." '
And then, there were many profoundly true statements:
'Imagination is the only weapon in the war with reality.'
'The best way to explain it is to do it.'
Every character is a household name for a reason — they are all vivid and distinct, and feel sorealthat it’s like they’re standing right in front of you—- though of course, that would beabsurd…right?;)
Thank you,Alice In Wonderlandfor reminding me that sometimesthe most glorious and inspiring things are the one that are absolutely — and yes, I will say it one more time — ABSURD....more
FIVE STARS!!!! ————— My first Dickens novel, and it was incredible.
Go into this book like I did: knowing nothing of the plot. Maybe not even with anFIVE STARS!!!! ————— My first Dickens novel, and it was incredible.
Go into this book like I did: knowing nothing of the plot. Maybe not even with any expectations (if so, stop reading my review now. It will definitely give you expectations;))
My review below doesn’t describe any of the events, it just talks about how well done the mechanics are. (And spoiler-free, as always!)
PLOT.It doesn’t matter to me if some people thought the plot was “recycled” or the ending “cliche”. First of all, of course it shared similarities to other great stories — there’s a reason cliches are overdone: because they WORK. But at the same time, nothing of this novel felt “over recycled” to me. Maybe some of it was copied from Dicken’s other books —— I wouldn’t know, and so then it doesn’t matter. The thing that mattered to me was everything was connected, from the beginning to the end. Nothing was wasted. There was foreshadowing, there were allegories. And, it had some of my favorite plot elements: political drama, court cases, family heritage reveals, and of course: the ending. I love that kind of ending. It was beautiful and heartbreaking and satisfying and thrilling at all once. AND, I LOVE when an author takes a phrase or word sprinkling it throughout the book, and connecting it to the end. I won’t say what those words are so new readers can discover them for themselves… but readers of this book, you know what they are.
WRITING.Every word of Dickens was also intentional, moving towards the ending while immersing the reader into the present actions Was his writing hard to get into at the beginning? Yes. But it’s always hard for me to start a story anyways. By the end of the book, I LOVED his writing style, and it didn’t slow me down at all. (Hey, maybe this book made me smarter!) There are some absolutely incredible quotes and descriptions and writing techniques… ahhh it’s so good.
CHARACTERS.Every character in this story was unique and dimensional. Dickens assigns a couple phrases to each character that stays significant to them and defines them. Some of the greatest character arcs and redemptions I’ve ever read are in this book. One of the most interesting villains. Everyone is important — so pay attention to every character, no matter how hard it is to keep track at them at times. After finishing this book, I immediately wished I could read it again (though I’ll wait a bit probably) just because I wanted to see the characters from the beginning knowing the end. That’s rare for me. Most books, I know exactly what the characters are like every step of the way. But in this book, I knew there must have been bits and pieces I didn’t think were significant and forgot — but actually contributed to their arc, redemption, and personality.
This is a book I know i will keep discovering new things every time I read it. The story lives on far past the words on paper and far beyond when the words end. ––––––– TW // Character with mental illness because of imprisonment, sexual assault (mentioned, not described), character watches child die, character carelessly runs over child with carriage, and child executed by guillotine, antagonist plans to kill a child. Imprisonment & separation of loved ones, death of loved ones. CW // Violence (descriptions of blood, war, death & murder, suffering, guillotine), poverty, one character is at one time an avid alcoholic.As long as this content won't trigger or harm you, know that the powerful themes of redemption, justice, and love will seriously outweigh the darkness in this book....more
Jane Eyre is a book you need to dive into with no knowledge of the plot, no expectations, no assumptions.
All you need to know4 STARS...? _______
Jane Eyre is a book you need to dive into with no knowledge of the plot, no expectations, no assumptions.
All you need to know is this classic is unlike anything you will ever read —a coming of age + romance + thriller/mystery with Gothic, dark academia vibes, and told through the lens of a strong, and profound female protagonist.So I highly,highlyrecommend (and I don't usually recommend this) that you exit Goodreads now and crack Jane Eyre now, before your unblemished opinion is swayed or spoiled by anything else.
And when you've finished, continue on to my review — an analysis on my feelings about this complicated story (+ the continuous rant of why oh why you justcannotcompare it to Pride & Prejudice. I love both so deeply but for very different reasons).
The below is still spoiler-free, though! __________________
Alright, folks, let's talk aboutJane Eyre.And boy do I have some complicated feelings about this book.
*gives one last chance for those who haven't read Jane Eyre to leave and go finish it*
Firstly,
Jane Eyre deserves more than false comparisons and unfair expectations. So PLEASE, let me clear things up for you.
This is not Pride & Prejudice, and you will not find worth in Jane Eyre if you compare it to Pride and Prejudice.Don't get me wrong — I'm obsessed with P&P just like you likely are (because, um... really, who doesn't like P&P??), but so many reviews consist of "Pride and Prejudice > Jane Eyre and therefore, you shouldn't read Jane Eyre." That's just ridiculously unfair! I lovePride and Prejudicebecause it's acharming, swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers written through wit and powerful character arcs.I loveJane Eyrebecause it's thecomplicated, haunting story of Jane's life — involving atragic and flawed romance.
Second:Because this book is so rich and layered, you will find worth in iteven ifyou don't like the romance or Mr. Rochester.I have very mixed feelings about the before stated plot lines, but after reflection on my struggles through them, I found something eerily alluring in them.
Once I stopped comparing it to the OTP Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, I found the romance beautiful because it is so tragic and so unusual. It's no smoky Hollywood romance, and if you are anything like me you willnotbe wishing for "your own Mr. Rochester" after you read it. I surely wasn't.
What I can say I love for sure is Bronte’s extraordinary writing that transported me into this dark academia world she made; I love Jane’s character for the most part, she has so much depth and goes through many relatable circumstances — loneliness, losing friends, feeling ugly, feeling lost, feeling hopeless — but she pulls through them all with a fierce and independent spirit ( “I am a bird, no net ensnares me.” ). Even if I don’t think the ending of this book completely deserves her or encompasses my favorite parts of her, it does show her unwavering compassion and forgiveness; her never failing to love Rochester for who he really is.
I also found this book engrossing— I don’t understand those people who found it boring at all. Though, the only moment I really was considerable putting it down forever was… (view spoiler)[ after Rochester’s atrociously manipulative first proposal and the whole disaster of them getting married for the first time. And that being said, the ending of Jane Eyre does fit for the conclusion of their relationship… because them marrying the first time just would not have worked.(hide spoiler)]
Jane Eyre is a masterpiece, but not (in my opinion) for being a swoon-worthy, star-crossed romance. It is complicated, it is frustrating, it is incredible — and that is what makes it a timeless story. _______
TW // Mental child abuse, bodily disfigurement, MC is discriminated against for being unattractive, orphaned & called ugly, relationship is mildly toxic. CW // Violence (house fire, attempted murder), toxic abuse of "Christian" (more elitist orthodox) beliefs, death & death of loved one (MC is orphaned and brief graphic description of death), loneliness, mild misogyny, classism
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