Jane Eyre [RNIB Edition]

By: Charlotte Brontë

Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Length: 20 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Eyre remains a classic of 19th-century English literature and is the most famous and influential novel by Charlotte Bronte.

Published in 1847, one of the most popular of all English novels, the story tells of the rise of a poor orphan girl against overwhelming odds. It is a work of fiction with memorable characters and vivid scenes exploring themes that have as much relevance today as in the time it was written.

British novelist Charlotte Bronte (1816 - 1855) was the eldest of the three famous Bronte sisters whose novels have become standards of English literature.

Please note: This is a vintage recording. The audio quality may not be up to modern day standards.

Public Domain (P)2009 RNIB

A Governess and Her Beast

Lucy Scott is tremendous with a fine expressive voice and she knows the material. Alright, I admit it, I love the accent. I have a number of Jane Eyre versions (cd, mp3, DL) by various narrators: Wanda McCadden, Amanda Root, Susan Erickson and of course, Lucy Scott. Even after listening scores of times, I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. Perhaps, like Jane Austen novels, it is the one I am currently reading (or to which I'm listening). I assume you know it is a Beauty and the Beast story although beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder. She is not a SI swimsuit issue babe unless it is for brains. Nevertheless, I find her attractive in the same way all the Bronte heroines are. If you recall, Catherine Morland in "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen was considered to be "almost pretty", not overly educated or even particularly smart but her principles were written in granite and when push came to shove, like all of Austen and Bronte heroines, it turns out she had a backbone of carbon steel. As an admirer of both Bronte and Austen heroines, I tend to compare and contrast although I sure Charlotte Bronte would be displeased as she had a very low opinion of Miss Austen (re: letter to her editor). Just as Miss Bingley (P&P) never had a chance with Darcy even without an Elizabeth, Miss Ingraham never had a shot at Mr. Rochester even without a Jane. Look at the treatment of subordinates by these two women. Observe the difference between the treatment of Adel by the Misses Eyre and Ingraham. So all the time Miss Bingley and Miss Ingraham were confidently whispering sweet nothings into ears of their prospective husbands, their behavior painted an unflattering portrait of an impoverished character. One can compare similar relationships in "Agnes Grey", "Villette", et al. There is always something new to think over.

Loved It

I was not sure about listening to this in the unabridged format, but I absolutely loved it. Once I was in I had to keep listening to find out. One of my New Year's Resolutions was to discover the classics, and I have just loved this and Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice. I plan on listening to all the Bronte sisters. Wuthering Heights is next.

A perpetual favorite!

I have read Jane Eyre many times but especially enjoy hearing it on Audible. The narrator does a great job of reading.

This made me a Jane Eyre addict!

I first read this book as an assignment in high school and I thought it was so sad and dull. After watching the 2011 version of the movie, and falling in love with Mr. Rochester, I decided to try the book again. I can honestly say I am now a Jane Eyre addict. Charlotte Bronte tells a beautiful tale with exquisite descriptions of the scene and the characters. After listening to this unabridged version, I was curious to see what the 4-hour and 2-hour abridged versions were like, and they do not do the story justice. Lucy Scott is an excellent narrator and I was enthralled through the full 20+ hours. I do wish she had a little more emotion in the Rochester parts, but other than that she was perfect. I cannot say enough good things about this audio edition!

I dont normally like period pieces, but...

This was amazing. The narrator made it easy to identify with the main character, even though she was from a different era. And even though it was written in a time period when women were second-class citizens, she had spunk and was a feminist for her day.

good listen

I really enjoyed this audio book. The reader was enjoyable to listen to. Her timing and inflections carried me along with the story, and made me feel like I was part of the tale.

The book Jane Eyre has a good storyline and is a great read. I find the book moving... At times I found myself in tears, and then exhaulting at the happy moments.

Definately worth the credit.

As Good As It Gets

I cannot imagine a better match between material and reader than this one. Lucy Scott is simply brilliant at bringing this wonderful classic to life. Yes, it's a chick book, but it's also a classic of Victorian literature and I found it entirely captivating. There is a lot here for men to enjoy, not the least of which is Scott's accented, lyrical performance in which she demonstrates the art of book reading by a professional actress at the top of her game. This is among the best experiences I have had listening to audio books, and I've heard dozens of them.

Now I can finally say that I "read" it!

Now I am all set for the new movie coming soon! Very good book and being how old it is, one can see how many stories paid tribute to it.

A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE

“Jane Eyre” replays the tautology of “life is not fair; i.e., it just is”. Charlotte Bronte’s story comes alive with the voice of Lucy Scott. Lucy Scott becomes Jane Eyre, a woman of substance.

The author, Charlotte Bronte, captures life’s joy and hardship. The story emphasizes the importance of having a moral “inner compass” to guide one between right and wrong. By making right choices, fulfillment comes from working through good and bad things in life.

An ever-present refrain in “Jane Eyre” is that all life decisions and actions have consequences. The many themes that run through Charlotte Bronte’s book are what make it a classic. Every listener will identify with some part of Charlotte Bronte’s story. The audio version of “Jane Eyre” is a tribute to Charlotte Bronte’s story telling skill. Jane Eyre is a woman of substance.

Only one complaint

Any additional comments?

I was a little apprehensive of the RNIB denoting, potentially, a lower quality. The quality of this audiobook is more than fine. I cannot tell a difference between this and other supposedly higher quality recordings. THE RECORDING QUALITY IS FINE.

Excellent story, misenterpreted by Hollywood into a 'girls night out' romance story. Yes there is romance, but that is not the MAIN point of this book. The headstrong and honourable main character is strident and headstrong FOR HER TIME. This is a novel (I think) about the possibility for strength of character in a woman, an idea that was much more revolutionary when this book was published. Excellent story, excellent performance.

My ONLY complaint is that the narrator misreads the male characters. This would have been perfect if they had had male narrators for the male characters.