Jane Eyre

By: Charlotte Brontë

Narrated by: Thandiwe Newton

Length: 19 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)

"I think the reason we're so struck by [Jane Eyre] is how Charlotte Brontë manages to relate, expertly, what it means to be a human being...and that never changes." (Narrator Thandiwe Newton)

Following Jane from her childhood as an orphan in Northern England through her experience as a governess at Thornfield Hall, Charlotte Brontë's Gothic classic is an early exploration of women's independence in the mid-19th century and the pervasive societal challenges women had to endure. At Thornfield, Jane meets the complex and mysterious Mr. Rochester, with whom she shares a complicated relationship that ultimately forces her to reconcile the conflicting passions of romantic love and religious piety. Performing the early Victorian novel with great care and respect, actress Thandiwe Newton (Crash, The Pursuit of Happyness) draws out Jane Eyre's intimacy and depth while conveying how truly progressive Brontë was in an era of extreme restraint.

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Public Domain (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Thandie Newton gives a delightful performance of this beloved classic. She delivers the voice of Jane from childhood to adulthood with elegant conviction, breezing through the dense sentences as if they were part of a contemporary novel." (AudioFile)

"[Thandie Newton’s] taut British diction makes a one-woman play out of the orphan girl’s love story, which starts out with all the young-adult tropes - the poor, good-hearted child abused by the spoiled, wealthy boy and his classist keepers, each distinguished by his or her own idiosyncratic cadence - but progresses into what many consider the prototypical Victorian novel. Written in 1847, not long before the start of the American Civil War, the novel makes repeated comparisons between Jane’s captivity, as an impoverished girl in a rich family’s home, and slavery. Newton’s exasperated and aptly melodramatic delivery of Jane’s accusation that her cruel stepbrother is 'like a slave-driver' is a knowing contemporary wink at this timeless yet dated classic." (The New York Times Book Review)

Newton is a wonderful narrator

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

I've Never Enjoyed Required Reading So Much

I am guilty of procrastination. Procrastination during finals week, no less! I found myself running out of time to read Jane Eyre, so I took to Audible. I'm so glad I did! This was a marvelous experience. Thandie Newton does an excellent job of all the voices and accents, making a great book better.

Thandie Newton is amazing

What made the experience of listening to Jane Eyre the most enjoyable?

I'm only a few hours in, but I must say that I love Thandie Newton's reading. She has such a lovely, clear voice and her character voices are just wonderful.

What did you like best about this story?

Everyone has read Jane Eyre...I've read it several times. Listening to it brings to the fore the parts that the actor finds most interesting and important. It's like reading it with fresh eyes.

What does Thandie Newton bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's a fabulous reader--I'll be looking for other audio books that she's read.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Lies and loss and the love that overcomes it all." Ugh. I guess there's a reason I don't write tag lines....and, really, does Jane Eyre need it?!

A truly moving literary experience

Jane Eyre is a timeless classic of English literature and there is nothing I could add to what has been said about it since its publication 170 years ago. The character, especially the heroine, come to life with this narration. Anyone who loves a great story will enjoy this audiobook.

A Favoring

I've loved this book since I first read it in high school. Thandie Newton was an awesome reader. Loved it!

Superb narration of a favorite novel!<br />

Clear, perfectly suited renditions of each character. Thandie Newton's performance was amazing. Worth the time.

Thandie Newton makes this book come to life

I thoroughly enjoyed this performance by Thandie Newton; it's brilliant and masterful! Loved it! I've read Jane Eyre twice, and seen the movie, but this Audible version was my favorite way of experiencing it.

BRILLIANT

This book needs no introduction, no review. Can there be one, who will not fall under the spell of its passionate, devoted goodness? Anyone, who would stay neutral to the sufferings and joy of its heroes? A stranger, who would neglect the beauty of the language and the spell-putting twists of its plot? Neither would there be one who might stay un-charmed with this BRILLIANT NARRATION. I could not recommend this audiobook highly enough!!! It is simply a MUST.

A classic brought to life by a brilliant narrator.

Masterfully narrated by a most talented artist, Thandie Newton. I never thought she had such a skill to transport one into the vivid imagination of Charlotte Bronte. My respects for an outstanding interpretation. Congratulations to the editors and the whole team that put this audiobook together, I enjoyed this piece so much that everyday I was eager to have free time to listen to it.

A Deep Breath of Satisfaction

I already love Jane Eyre, I've read it many times, but this Audible performed by Thandie Newton was pure joy. I was swept into Jane's world. Newton's vocal performance of all the characters was near flawless, enteraining, and soulful.
My applause is a standing ovation.