Books

~First edition, rebound in mid-20th-century half tan calf, red-brown morocco-grained cloth (? possibly leather) to boards. Gilt lettering and decor to spines; two red-brown gilt and one black gilt label per spine. Slight fading to spines and to rear boards near spines. 8vos (12.5 x 19.5cm). Hinges sound. Replacement endpapers (just starting in vol. II, front gutter). Bibliographic pencil inscription to front free endpaper of vol. I. Moderate scattered foxing and the occasional small mark to text block. Crease to top corner of Vol. II, p. 97, 294 & vol. III, p. 30. Very minor edgewear to Vol. III, pp. 55-58. Without the 16pp. publisher's catalogue sometimes found bound at the end of vol. I, but with the 3pp. publisher's advertisement to rear of vol. III: 'opinions of the press on Jane Eyre', as advertisement for the 'lately published' third edition. Without half-titles, as issued. Charlotte Bronte's second novel, set during the Luddite riots of 1811-12. Sadleir 348; Symington 25-26. ~Robust packaging. Overseas orders trackable on request. Size: iv, 303 + iv, 308 + iv, 320pp.

"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.