Jane Eyre

By: Charlotte Brontë

Narrated by: Anna Popplewell

Length: 22 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.  

This Penguin Classic is performed by Anna Popplewell, best known for her leading role as Susan Pevensie in The Chronicles of Narnia films. This definitive recording includes an introduction by Stevie Davies.  

Orphaned, Jane Eyre, grows up in the home of her heartless aunt, where she endures loneliness and cruelty, and at a charity school with a harsh regime. This troubled childhood strengthens Jane's natural independence and spirit - which prove necessary when she finds a position as governess at Thornfield Hall. But when she finds love with her sardonic employer, Rochester, the discovery of his terrible secret forces her to make a choice. Should she stay with him and live with the consequences, or follow her convictions, even if it means leaving the man she loves? 

A novel of intense power and intrigue, Jane Eyre (1847), dazzled and shocked readers with its passionate depiction of a woman's search for equality and freedom.

Public Domain (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Extremely moving and beautifully read

It is difficult to find a satisfying narration of this classic—the narration is often too stiff or too stuffy—but Anna Popplewell exceeded all expectations. The novel requires a reader who is able to feel with Jane, who is open to her sensitivities as well as to the sharpness of her wit. The youthful emotion and attentiveness of Ms Popplewell’s narration truly did this justice. I’m very grateful to have discovered it.

An Outstanding Reader!

Anna Popplewell is among the very best readers I’ve ever encountered in an audiobook. Her pacing and how she captures the feel of different characters greatly aids my comprehension, sense of drama and enjoyment of this novel. I think I would happily listen to any classic novel she would read. I wish such novels were available and hope they soon will be.

Best narrator

I really enjoyed the way she made different voices according to the character without being overacted.

The best Narrator!

Anna Popplewell gives the best narration for Jane Eyre on Audible by far. I loved it so much I plan to search for my next listen by her name.

This was my second time through JE after a decades-long break and it did not disappoint.

Beautifully Narrated

I read this story, myself, almost 50 years ago. Wanting to refresh my recollection, and unable to tolerate reading at length, decided to experience it via audio. Ms Popplewell has a pleasing voice and did a wonderful job narrating.

Best narrator

Love the story. I’ve listened to two different narrators and Ms. Popplewell does the best job. Her voice varies enough for characters, but is not distracting.

Beautiful

Get this. You won't regret it. It feels/sounds as if Charlotte Bronte herself is reading to you.

THE Very BEST Jane Eyre narration!!!!!!!!

I absolutely loved this narration of Jane eyre. I would give it 10 Stars if I could! absolutely superb. Nimbly handles Jane, Mr Rochester St. John and all the rest!

a sensitive, skillful performance

As a professor of British novels I teach *Jane Eyre* fairly often. Popplewell gives
an impressively sensitive, unabridged reading of this challenging and meaningful novel. Her voice is lovely and consistent, and she lends characters' voices thoughtful inflections of pain, joy, sorrow, love, and even hard cruelty when Brontë calls for them.

I get it now

I get why this book is a classic. I get it now! I felt all the emotions throughout the story.

I fell in love with Jane as a child. Strong-willed and aware she was worth no less for being an orphan child. One of my favorite parts that gave me a giggle was when Mrs. Reed was telling her kids not to associate with 9 yr old Jane, who was listening at the top of the stairs & yelled down “Well they are not fit to associate with me!” After her time at Lowood & finding her job as a governess at Thronfield, I grew respect for Jane. Through her love story with Mr. Rochester, I was so happy this young girl who had such a loveless childhood could experience love now. And then, Bertha, Mr. Rochesters wife makes an appearance in the story, throwing Jane’s idea of a happy marriage out the window. I must say, I really really wanted Jane to stay. I did not want her to leave Thronfield but saw how she must. She became a destitute in a foreign land. She was starving and back to the life that seemed to follow her, misery. These few days were the worst to read after seeing the happiness Jane could have. But through all this, she found relations, cousins. All she ever wanted her whole life and I was so glad again that she did leave Thronfield or she wouldn’t have found them! After refusing marriage to her cousin, she returned to Thronfield to see what of it. She found it was burned down by Bertha, seeking revenge in Jane, who had already left the proposal of a mistress. I must say, it makes me a little sad that one of the only characters of color is portrayed this way. Ugly. Mad. Angry. That makes me sad for little girls who read Jane Eyre who resemble Bertha and read her description but imagine themselves as Jane. Ultimately, Jane choose love. She choose a crippled man, injured from rescuing others in the fire, to live her life with and love forever. She faced obstacles. She overcame and held her high morals and values throughout it.

There are so many layers to this story that it is hard to unpack in one read. I hope to read it again in the future to unpack more than the surface level things I did in this.

Brilliant

Very easy to listen to this. I’m a huge fan but still cried, laughed and loved to follow the story