Jane Eyre

A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatization

By: Charlotte Brontë

Narrated by: Amanda Hale, Tom Burke

Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Amanda Hale and Tom Burke star in a brand new BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of Charlotte Brontë's most beloved novel, adapted by Rachel Joyce.

Orphan Jane learns at an early age that self-control is the surest means of retaining self-respect in adversity. It is a lesson that serves her well in the years ahead as she endures the misery of life with her cruel, uncaring aunt, followed by the harsh regime at Lowood Institution, a charity school for poor children.

After taking the post of governess at Thornfield Hall, she meets the master of the house, the brooding, enigmatic Edward Rochester, and finds herself falling in love with him. It seems as if happiness may finally be within her grasp - but a series of strange events leads her to believe that Rochester is concealing a dark secret. When the truth is revealed, the heartbroken Jane will need all her inner strength and resilience to face up to it....

Dramatised for radio by best-selling novelist Rachel Joyce (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), this iconic love story stars Amanda Hale as Jane and Tom Burke as Rochester. Suffused with romance, passion, mystery and danger, it is a spellbinding tale that is as real and relevant today as when it was first published in 1847.

Duration: 2 hours 30 mins approx.

©2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2016 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Great performance but very quick

Jane Eyre is one of my favorites but I completely appreciate the need to abridge it for a full cast performance. That being said I think too much was taken out, giving it an incredibly rushed feel.

love it every time i listen! tom burke is perfect.

love it! tom burke is the perfect mr. rochester. this will always be my favorite.

Best version of Jane Eyre I have ever heard

I have not yet written any reviews on Audible, but I simply had to for this version of Jane Eyre. I have read the book (a few times) and I’ve seen a few of the film adaptations, however this version of the story absolutely transported me. It was breathtaking in parts - the acting was so beautifully done, that you don’t feel any lack of something to watch. I would recommend this to anyone, whether they already love the story or have never read or seen it before.

Classic well performed

One of my favorite classics performed by talented actors with great sound effects. Acting the story out required abridging some content, but the emotional telling made up for that. Good job!

Wonderful Jane Eyre Dramatization

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would because it does a great job of putting the listener in the gloomy setting. It's also very well acted out by the whole cast - especially Amanda Hale and Tom Burke who are compelling together as Jane and Rochester.

What other book might you compare Jane Eyre to and why?

Since this was a dramatized version of Jane Eyre I would recommend BBC Radio's complete dramatization of Jane Austen. For a full unabridged version of Jane Eyre I highly recommend the one read by always excellent Juliet Stevenson.

What about Amanda Hale and Tom Burke ’s performance did you like?

Amanda Hale and Tom Burke have excellent chemistry as Jane and Rochester. Amanda Hale successfully portrays the controlled passion of Jane while Tom Burke is a smoldering Rochester.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not any extreme reaction. I was very happy to have a great dramatization that captures all the moodiness and internal struggles of one of my favorite novels.

Any additional comments?

A few odd bits of Jane narrating the action while it's happening that sounded a bit chaotic. Doesn't distract from the overall performance. All the supporting cast were excellent and the build up to the key scenes were well done.

TV for the Ears!

Beautifully written... There are so many heartfelt lines in this story, I just fell in Love myself! This is kind of story that lingers with you. I thought about the characters for several days after. It stirs up a lot of emotions, all the feels!

A MUST Listen!

Excellent classic!

Performance and story were excellent! I would highly recommend. Very similar to the film versions.

loved it!!

great narration, loved the multiple voices. makes you feel like you are watching it in front of you.

Excellent dramatization

Very well acted - the voice actors and background sounds do a fantastic job of bringing the story to life. Very abridged, but it still captures the essence of the story.

Breathtaking

wanted to hear the classic..but due to limited time wanted an abridged version .wow what a story!
..an emotional rollercoaster very intense..

Wonderful leads

This is a short adaptation but it works because the script and the two leads are excellent. Amanda Hale is superb as Jane and Tom Burke is a wonderful Rochester. Because they are both so good, I wish more of the exchanges between Jane and Rochester from the book had been included, however the big exchanges are there and although everything is radically cut back, enough remains to be true to the original. The script generally reminded me a bit of the Ruth Wilson/Toby Stephens TV version, only with a post 'wedding' scene closer to the original.

Probably no adaptation of such a favourite novel can be 100% to my liking, and I find the music in this one intensely annoying. The performances are well able to carry the story and the emotion that goes with it, they don't need wailing violins to constantly support what they're doing and I found them intrusive and distracting.

GOOD BUT TOO NARRATED FOR ME

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

There is too much Narration throughout & far too much of the plot left out which leaves me rather cold. I prefer full drama with as much near to the full plot as possible, for me that is warmth.

What other book might you compare Jane Eyre to, and why?

The reason I wanted this apart from the Jane Eryre story which I like and have read and watched in many versions and enjoyed, was for the actress Amanda Hale a favourite of mine whom I have enjoyed viewing in many wonderful films and television work. Amanda is diverse and works hard to bring out each character in what ever it is she is doing. She is very good in this production, which is the ONLY reason why I could tolerate listening to the end. This version reminded me of 'Villette' a story which fits perfectly into the narrated style along with the included drama.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the scenes when Jane is with her cousins. Her character is more solid and we see Jane for who she is, her true self and she holds herself well against the lunatic male cousin who lives in a fantasy world with his God and takes it upon himself that "He' wants Jane to be 'His' wife & go to India" with him because this is what 'He' wants. He then attemps to morally & emotionally blackmail the girl like some which hunt.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Both actors Amanda Hale & Tom Burke are good professionals whose works I enjoy in other genres on TV & radio. I can see that this narrated version of Jane Erye will appeal to those who appreciate narrated style of work, it is still good.

Any additional comments?

I will probably listen to this again on a day when I am in the right mood to listen to this style. The play is well produced with a kind subtleness which suits the Jane Erye theme. I do like variations of literature, but must be in the right mood. I prefer to be as near to the original work as possible when it comes to drama.

Jane Eyre

I love the book and probably have more copies than I need. My view of the characters has changed each time I've read it and as I get older. I love this radio play.

Excellent

Thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation of a well loved novel. Would like to here more like this

Really well read

I enjoyed the performances especially the voices of Amanda Hale and Tom Burke who absolutely brought this great story to life

Good for Revision as a mother

Greatly abridged (hurrah!) Captures the spirit of Bronte’s mesmeric tale, with a thoughtful Jane and heroic Rochester (played by the actor, Tom Burke). I’d give it 4*

Wonderful

This is a wonderful performance of Jane Eyre with marvellous acting and atmosphere - my only negative comment is that it has been quite severely edited and a great deal left out but on this occasion it is none the worse and a marvellous listen.

Wonderful dramatisation

Jane Eyre has long been a favourite of mine, the original book a friend I keep returning to. This dramatisation is, of necessity, much abridged and adapted for radio, but don't let that put you off. Come to it with no expectation that it is a reading of the book and just let the voices, emotions and music take you into a beautiful story of hope, despair and redemption.

Wonderful

Beautiful telling of one of my favourite classics. Worth spending a credit on and I don’t usually buy short audio books and plays.

My beloved Jane Eyre

Love this dramatisation of my favourite novel! The actors were wonderful! Very moving and emotional