'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte: Love, loss and mad wives.

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books. I have read it countless times and never tire of it. It is a gothic masterpiece, with superb characterisation and beautiful imagery. I would recommend it to anyone.

Jane is a bright, strong-minded orphan; incessantly reminded of how thankful she should be that she has been left in the care of her resentful, self-righteous aunt and her spiteful cousins, and continuously told how much of a burden she is to her family.

This is the beginning of Jane’s journey to find a place in the world where she will experience love. It is a journey which will see her face much cruelty, humiliation and despair. As she finds love, only to have it cruelly torn away, she discovers how strong she really is. It is this strength of character that eventually leads her on to the right path, and back to her true home.