Book Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, reviewed by Muhammad Raza (Spoiler-Free)

 Book Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, reviewed by Muhammad Raza (Spoiler-Free)

Jane Eyre is a novel by Charlotte Brontë under the pen name Currer Bell. It was first published in 1847 and remains a timeless classic that teens and young adults are encouraged to read. The story chronicles the childhood and teenage years of the main character, Jane, whose life is loosely based on the life and experiences of Brontë. Throughout the depressing story, Jane endures constant hardship with small, yet significant, moments of happiness and satisfaction that help her grow as a character. 

The novel touches upon the themes of Christianity, wealth, the treatment of the poor, and the role of women in society. There are numerous characters in the novel that serve as symbols for these themes. From the rich who treat the poor with contempt and hatred, to the religious yet impecunious, the novel includes a wide array of characters who encompass many unique traits, and allow the reader to gain a strong understanding of the aforementioned themes

Although there are scenes in the story that are paced slowly, the book still kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing what would happen with Jane in the next chapter. The story has an underlying mystery component and takes many unexpected twists and turns which both surprise the reader and spellbind one to the story. This, along with the discussion of the aforementioned themes present throughout the novel, is why I believe that this book is essential to read for young adults and will simultaneously allow them to mature and develop their own views on complex topics. Indeed, while reading the 600-page novel may seem like a daunting and banal task, doing so will prove unexpectedly enthralling and allow one to grow as a person.