One of my favorite all time romance stories is Jane Eyre. The first time I read the book, I had to skip over the dark, sad orphan parts. The unjust treatment of that passionate little girl struck an uncomfortable mis-chord in me.
I generally avoid reading first person stories. I've picked up lots of highly recommended books, started the first sentence, and put the book right back where I found it because of that first person sentence.
When I read first person, it gets into my head a little like a diary. I start to think in the same sort of rhythm as the book. If the writer spends a lot of time thinking, (whining) about self motivation and feelings, then I spend the day thinking (whining) about my motivations and feelings.
Despite the first person perspective, I still love Jane.
It's also one of my favorite movies.
I'm not sure Hollywood (or the BBC) has yet captured the correct Rochester/Jane combination yet, but that doesn't keeping me from watching the movies made in the past years over and over.
I actually like this story more than any of Jane Austin's stories.
(GASP) Not that I don't love Jane Austin - and all the subsequent movies based on her books.
It's just that Jane was a nanny.
And I was a nanny.
There will be a new Jane Eyre movie in 2011. With two new stars in the Rochester and Jane role.
Did they get it right this time?
I don't really approve of how the screen writer messed with the original story time-line in an effort to get all of Jane's story told in a movie-like way. Their relationship seems rushed to me, and some their personalities gety eaten up. If I had come to the story fresh, never having had read it, i don't think the movie would have seemed half as interesting.
Do you have a favorite Jane?
Are you waiting for a movie finally to tell the story right?
Do you have any classic literature favorites?
