Tag Archives: Jane Eyre

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Happy Early Birthday, Charlotte

Charlotte Bronte’s birthday isn’t until April 21, but we’re celebrating early this year BECAUSE WE CAN.  Happy birthday, Charlotte!

To celebrate, here’s my favorite moment from Jane Eyre:

“I tell you I must go!” I retorted, roused to something like passion. “Do you think I can stay to become 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, nor 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!…I am no bird, and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.”

Well, that was bracing.  Go do something awesome today, in memory of Charlotte!

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Wednesday Videos Love Jane Eyre

WednesdayVideoJane Eyre was published on October 6. 1847.  In honor of this auspicious event, here’s a clip from my very favorite adaptation, the 2006 version starring Ruth Wilson (that smile!) and Toby Stephens (swoon).  I love how this scene combines Rochester being both a bit of a bully and a at the same time reveals his compassion – look at his face when Jane says that her relatives sent her to school because she was poor.  and I love how in this scene Ruth Wilson shows Jane’s shyness and vulnerability, but also shows her being a little daring, teasing Rochester about the money he still owes her.  Here you go:

If you’re interested in adaptations of Jane Eyre, check out my book, Pride, Prejudice, and Popcorn:  TV and Film Adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre.  You can find it here:

Pride_PopcornCover_final

 

 

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Happy Birthday, Jane Eyre!

cover of Jane EyreToday is the day that Jane Eyre was first published, back in 1847!  Jane Eyre is one of may favorite books.  I have two copies on my bookshelf, one on my phone, one in my car, and one wrapped in plastic and stored in my earthquake kit (I live in California and we have earthquake kits – it’s a thing).  Jane and I have been fast friends since I was ten and first discovered the book.

Here’s a few things you might not know about the story:

  • The character of Helen was based on Charlotte’s sister, Maria, who died at the age of 11 when she and Charlotte were both in boarding school.
  • The original version was published in three separate volumes.
  • Charlotte Bronte worked as a governess for a while.  She also was a student of German and fell in love with her teacher, who was married.  Unlike Jane, Charlotte did not marry the teacher bu returned to England alone.
  • Charlotte published Jane Eyre under the pen name ‘Currer Bell’.

Ready for the best quote?  Here you go:

“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, nor 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!”

That’s my girl!

Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte

For more cool stuff about Jane Eyre check out my book, Pride, Prejudice, and Popcorn:  TV and Film Adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre.  You can find it here:

Pride_PopcornCover_final

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Wednesday Videos: Jane Eyre’s Bertha Sings!

WednesdayVideoSomeone shared this with me on Facebook and it is just the best thing ever.  The tune, of course, is from the movie Tangled.  This video, from Bertha’s point of view, is sad and funny and creepy.

This is a bonus video from a whole series about Jane Eyre, narrated by her on her video blog.  When I was in college, I thought perhaps I might bring down The Man by my revolutionary acts.  Middle-age has made me more subtle and now I bring down society by destroying productivity.  With this in mind, here’s a link to the entire Jane Eyre Vlog series.  The revolution will be televised in the sense that it will consist of all of us quitting our jobs to watch TV!  And shows online!  Whee!

And just in case some of you missed it, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, the series that started this whole “Vlog a book” craze, is fantastic.  Don’t miss it!

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Pride, Prejudice, and Popcorn is Released Today!

Pride_PopcornCover_finalToday’s the day!  My first book, Pride, Prejudice, and Popcorn, has been officially released.  I could not be more excited.  OK, I could be more excited.  I could be more excited if Toby Stephens personally presented me with a copy and an entire chocolate cake, and said, “You are my favorite author.  This cake has no calories of any kind.  Please, enjoy it with me in my villa in Tuscany.  you will never have to vacuum again”.  But other than that, nope, could not be more exited!

Pride, Prejudice, and Popcorn is a light-hearted look at some of the many TV and film adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre.  It includes analysis of the original novels and some biographical information about Jane Austen and Charlotte and Emily Bronte, and trivia and a playlist just for fun.  I tried to write this book as though you and I are best friends enjoying movie night together with some wine, some chocolate, and, obviously, a lot of popcorn!

I’d also like to point you to another new release.  My book is part of a  new Harlequin non-fiction line called Harlequin Pop!  The second Pop book that’s out today is Movie Bliss, by Heidi Rice.  When movie night rolls around your house, me and Heidi have got you covered!  Here’s her cover:

Movie_BlissCover

Back to my book:  it’s available as ebook only, and it’s available pretty much anywhere ebooks are sold.  It’s list price is $.99.  Here’s some links to get you started:

Amazon   Barnes and Noble  Harlequin  Kobo   iTunes

I had a great time writing this book and I hope you have a good time reading it!

 

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Mini Review: Ironskin, by Tina Connolly

Ironskin was nominated for a Nebula Award in the Best Novel category, and it’s easy to see why (the winner was 2312).  This incredibly poignant, passionate and inventive fantasy take on Jane Eyre is set in a world in which England has just barely won a war against the fey.

The world-building is fantastic (pun intended) and the characters shine.  Jane is a wonderful character who shares the original Jane Eyre’s strong sense of ethics, self respect, and passion.  The only flaw in the book is that the romance between Jane and her brooding employer is under-developed.  As long as you are reading this as a fantasy about an amazing woman, as opposed to a romance where the love story takes center stage, you will love the book.  My full-length review is at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.