I know that some bibliophiles couldn't possibly pick a favorite book, but I have.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Brontë sisters are fantastic. They took their life experiences and turned them literary works of genius. Created some of the best fictional men (Rochester and Heathcliff). Even wrote science fiction! Their maps and writings about their imaginary worlds are currently exhibited at the British Library.
Yesterday I went to see the new adaptation of Jane Eyre so Jane is on my mind. Also, spoilers, if you haven't read or know the story.
I quite enjoyed the movie. As a feature length film, some elements were left out, of course... kind of skimped on the ending. But otherwise I was pleased with it. The 2006 mini series from BBC is still my favorite I think.
Jane Eyre from Better Book Titles
First read Jane Eyre in seventh grade because the book had a high number of Accelerated Reader points (and I wanted to have the most AR points in the class). Did my final book report on Jane because I ended up liking the novel so much. When I picked my favorite scene, I chose the gypsy scene in the library. (I haven't seen a film version that has accurately depicted this scene yet... they like to cut it.) I never understood how Mr. Rochester could dress up like female gypsy and no one recognized him. But it's such a beautiful and interesting scene between Rochester and Jane.
Purchased my own copy and reread the novel during high school. My poor dogeared, scribbled on, well-loved copy now opens directly to my favorite part.. the proposal. Yes, yes. Such a stereotypical favorite part, but pages 270-274 make my heart flutter inside my chest.
"'Because,' he said, 'I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you - especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous channel, and two hundred miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and the I've a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly. As for you, -- you'd forget me.'" ~ Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
(Yes, Mr. Rochester is my fictional character crush.)
"Do you think I can stay to become a nothing to you? Do you think I am an automaton? --a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! --I have as much soul as you, --and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty, and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, or even of mortal flesh: --it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal, --as we are!" ~ Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre
The latter is my life quote. Resonates with something deep within me.
I also think that Jane Eyre is a sort of Beauty and the Beast story. Which would also explain why I love it so much. Disney's Beauty and the Beast was my favorite movie when I was tiny and I'm convinced that the simple story shaped a good deal of my loves and imagination. Anyway, in Jane, the heroine goes to Thornfield Hall, a large old mansion where she meets Mr. Rochester, a man haunted by his dark past and described as ugly several times throughout the novel. Jane Eyre is no Belle ("poor, obscure, plain and little"), but there is something in her character that absolutely shines throughout the story. Her gentle goodness. Jane eventually has to leave Rochester, but they are reunited in the end.
Though instead of turning into a prince, Mr. Rochester is more deformed at the end of the story, blinded and maimed from a fire. I adore the ending of Jane Eyre. There was always some disappointment at the end of Beauty and the Beast when the Beast changes back into a man.
To end, here's some 19th century flirting:
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