Jane Eyre

First published in 1847 as Jane Eyre: An Autobiography, this coming of age novel follows the life of Jane Eyre, an orphan who lives with her maternal uncle and is subjected to abuse by his family. Mr. Rochester of Thornfield Hall employs her as a governess to instruct his ward. Jane unexpectedly falls in love with her brooding but kind employer. However, their love undergoes a severe test when certain secrets of Rochester's home are about to come knocking at her door. A number of initial reviews of the book were rather critical, declaring the storyline unnatural and absurd. Yet there were others who praised its fast pace, vigour, and spirit of humanity. Charlotte, like her protagonist, Jane, had worked as a governess for a few years. Although it may seem the similarities end there, the minute details of the story and the characters populating her canvas beg to differ. Jane Eyre addresses multiple themes, including religion and class, and is a powerful social commentary on the times in which it was set. It has been adapted multiple times to various formats and has been an inspiration to many an author and artist since its publication.