Jane Eyre

April 4, 2016
Whether one treasures this classic piece of literature as an old companion or has no acquaintance with it at all, the listener is in for a treat. Reader Bentinck draws us at once into the trials assailing the orphaned and ill-treated 10-year-old Jane. Bentinck’s soft voice, flawless rhythms, and cultured British accent are exactly what’s needed to guide listeners through this heroine’s wild history of tribulations and jubilations. She portrays men, women, and children of different classes quite convincingly, and illuminates a wide range of nuanced emotions as Jane encounters hunger and cruelty as well as tender friendships at school, then a world of anger, fear, defeat, humor, sarcasm, affection, and exaltation as teacher and governess. The remarkable plot, the carefully delineated characters, and Bentinck’s acting facility make the journey an intriguing and memorable experience.

April 5, 2024

Gr 7 Up-The eponymous orphan survives an oppressive school experience to become a governess. When she becomes embroiled in a drama-filled romance with her charge's brooding benefactor, Jane must decide whether she should abide by her morals or listen to her heart. The lush descriptions; magnetic protagonists; and discussions of class, duty, and feminism, make this a prime example of a classic that should continue as a curricular staple and be enjoyed as pleasure reading by teens. Contemporary readers may struggle with the roller-coaster quality of events in Jane's life, though the sometimes intense first-person narration brilliantly focuses the attention on her moral and emotional development. VERDICT An archetypal Gothic romance with a refreshingly modern air, this one is a shoo-in for libraries serving middle and high schoolers.-Bob Hassett & Shelley M. Diaz

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