Books

By Currer Bell. Author of 'Shirley', 'Villette', &c. New Edition. Original orange glazed cloth, spine and covers printed in black with borders and simple but attractive decorations. 8vo, vii, [1], 467pp, 4pp publishers adverts, plus endpaper adverts (front and rear). London, Smith, Elder, and Co. First published in 1847, Jane Eyre was a huge success. Ten years after its initial publication it was still only available in a 3 volume, triple decker format. Smith, Elder & Co's idea with their 'New' ('cheap') editions was to publish popular stories in a single volume: tomes that were both convenient and eye-catching in their yellow cloth, sure to appeal to travellers passing train station bookstands. Contemporary ink inscription of 'Annie M. Brown' to title page. Head of spine sensitively restored under our direction. Spine rather darkened, cloth covered board marked in places, with discolouration at edges.

"Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte is a bildungsroman that chronicles the life of its eponymous protagonist. Orphaned and mistreated as a child, Jane Eyre grows up at Gateshead Hall under the care of her cruel aunt and cousins. She then attends Lowood School, where she faces hardship but receives an education that shapes her character. As a young woman, Jane becomes a governess at Thornfield Hall, employed by the enigmatic and brooding Mr. Rochester. Jane's time at Thornfield Hall is marked by her growing affection for Rochester, despite their differing social statuses. Their relationship blossoms until a shocking revelation about Rochester's past disrupts their plans for marriage. Forced to leave Thornfield Hall, Jane finds refuge at Moor House, where she discovers her distant relatives, the Rivers family. She forms strong bonds with them but remains haunted by her love for Rochester. The narrative reveals Jane's fierce independence, unwavering principles, and quest for autonomy and love despite societal constraints. Eventually, she inherits a fortune and learns that Rochester, now blind and maimed from a tragic fire, seeks reconciliation. Returning to Rochester, Jane finds him humbled and rehabilitated. They reunite and marry, embracing a life together built on mutual respect and equality. "Jane Eyre" is not only a tale of romance but also a nuanced exploration of societal expectations, feminism, morality, and the struggle for personal identity and integrity. Bronte's novel broke boundaries by portraying a strong-willed, independent female protagonist who defies convention in her pursuit of love and self-realization. The novel's enduring appeal lies in its compelling characters, richly detailed settings, and themes that resonate across generations, making "Jane Eyre" a timeless classic in English literature.