Jane Eyre

Perfect!!

I could not stop listening, even when I should have been asleep. I read Jane Eyre as a teenager and found the story painfully romantic even though extremely tedious. I had mostly forgotten about it, but hearing Rosamund Pike read Pride and Prejudice (another absolutely perfect performance) prompted me to explore other classics that I struggled with in book form.

Thandie Newton enthralled me! I could swear that I too was living the story. She gave this book the timelessness it deserves! I will definitely keep this audiobook set aside for my future daughters and the young women I influence. Jane Eyre herself inspired in me greater self respect and love. What a wonderful character!

DO NOT HESITATE TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK!!
I have listened to quite a few audible books so far and I think this is the first one that had me insatiable. I could not stop listening!!

156 of 165 people found this review helpful

Thandie Newton is INCREDIBLE!

I am completely blown away by Thandie Newton's performance! There were so many times I had to remind myself who was narrating because here voice changed so seamlessly with each character. What a talent! Not to mention this book is a classic and a superior one at that. Well worth the 19+ hour listen.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Ms Newton was an Audible Tour de Force!!

I never got around to reading Jane Eyre but I finally decided to listen and I am glad I did. I loved this book immensely and I thought knew the story thanks to PBS - Masterpiece and the like but I found "I know nothing" and now I know all. Ms Newton gave true voice to every character man, woman or child with such skill that I was enthralled. At once I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation while riding an emotional roller coaster to the end of the line with her Jane. She breathed life into a story that could have been tired.
I apologize if I sound like I am gushing but I speak only the truth of my experience with this book and this extraordinary performer. Never a big fan I liked her in films and respected her work. I am now a fan and I look forward to seeing and hearing all of her work in the future.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Superb Narration of a Fantastic Book!

This is the third version of "Jane Eyre" I have, the other two narrated by Juliet Stevenson and Emma Messenger, and I can say without a doubt in my mind that Thandie Newton makes this the best listen of them all. Her accents are impeccable, her ability to convey drama and emotion is sublime, the fact that she can carry off Jane as a child and then move on to Jane as a young woman is astounding and glorious to listen to.
We're treated to the four separate lives of a truly remarkable literary character: Jane as an easily ruffled and sometimes histrionic child, Jane as a smooth yet lovelorn governess at Thornfield Hall, Jane as a content yet suddenly challenged young woman at Moor House, and finally, Jane in her final life, the life the story has been building to, the life she was destined to lead. And Ms. Newton handles each situation, each character therein with perfect ease and grace.
The only, oh so minor, difficulty I had with her performance was that Mr. Rochester was a tad growly. But then again, the man is a tad growly, a tad crotchety and challenging. But she carried off his bouts of passion, his deadpan humor, his utter earnestness, so very well that I was totally swept away.
Nineteen hours go by quickly if you're utterly absorbed by a fantastic story with a character who has such a brilliant character arc. I was honestly and truly sad to hear those words: "Audible hopes you enjoyed..."
But, boy, was I tremendously satisfied! I can't recommend this version of the inimitable "Jane Eyre" highly enough. Charlotte Bronte had a lot to say, and she said it very, very well!
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158 of 172 people found this review helpful

Gets even better each time you read it!

Outtanding narration makes this classic even more compelling and addictive! This story is a "must read"!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

A truly Epic performance

I listen to hundreds of books each year, and read even more.

Rarely have I enjoyed a book more. This was not a reading, but a masterful performance.

I have read the book countless times, and listened to several other readings, but listening to this narration was even better than reading it for the first time.

It sounded as if a very talented actress was giving voice to her favorite story of all time, not for money, but for love.

37 of 41 people found this review helpful

Sensational way to experience Jane Eyre

Having never read this classic before, I was excited to purchase this on Audibles. And I must say: this audiobook went above and beyond my expectations! Thandie Newton was an absolutely phenomenal reader, and brought the characters to life in a vibrant and movie- like manner. This is certainly one of the best if not THE best book I've ever listened to on Audibles. Audibles, keep bringing in wonderful narrators: it makes these classics come to life.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Newton is a wonderful narrator

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her bring the novel alive. I hope to hear more works read by her.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

WONDERFUL NOVEL...FANTASTIC NARRATION!

I thought I was an Emily gal...Wuthering Heights has always been my go-to book for English romanticism. Because I love Wuthering Heights so much, I never read Jane Eyre...until now.

This book is so beautifully written, so deep in its emotions, so raw in its power...I want to start on page 1 and read it again. You know the story: Jane is a badly treated orphan. She rises from this abusive childhood to become an educated and caring young woman who finds true love, only to be dashed in her hopes of marrying him due to a mysterious secret of his past. Jane is forced to forge a new life but her soulmate, Mr. Rochester, is never far from her heart. Eventually, she finds her way back to him. He is now a damaged figure but has never forsaken his love for her.

This novel is beset with hardship but it is romantic and hopeful.

Thandie Newton does a PHENOMENAL job narrating this story. Her characters are clearly delineated, the voicing is pure and easy to understand. She is a treasure as a narrator!

I loved her narration...just as I loved this book!

20 of 23 people found this review helpful

A very dramatic reading

What did you like best about Jane Eyre? What did you like least?

Jane's time at Thornfield - the rest can be rather stiff/boring

Would you recommend Jane Eyre to your friends? Why or why not?

yes - it's a classic

Would you be willing to try another one of Thandie Newton’s performances?

no - too dramatic

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no - too gothic/depressing

Any additional comments?

Thandie Newton has a lovely voice for jane, but was altogether too dramatic for all other characters and did not capture their spirit or tone as i would have wished.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful