Jane Eyre, a joyful book and more.

Some days ago we posted a Jane Eyre alert from Burlington, Vermont. Today, February 2, The Burlington Free Press publishes an article about it. And a very nice one, by the way:

"Jane Eyre" turned up in many shapes and sizes Wednesday night on a long wooden table at Fletcher Free Library. Some books looked almost new. There were more than a few yellowed paperbacks. Other copies were musty hardcovers that might not be original printings of Charlotte Bronte's 1847 novel, but come pretty close.

The various versions of the classic book reflected the varying stories those sitting behind the books had to tell of their experiences with "Jane Eyre." Some think they read it in high school or college but aren't sure, though they like it now. Some have read it many times and always loved it. Others read it once, didn't like it, then read it again and enjoyed it.

Most of the 18 people in the room said they can't wait to see how the richly narrated Victorian novel plays out in a live performance -- specifically, the one being staged tonight at the Flynn Center. (more information here) (...)
Wednesday's talk was a more literal approach to "Jane Eyre," which The Acting Company will present tonight at the Flynn. The book club attracted folks such as Russell and Nancy Ellis of Burlington. Russell Ellis picked up an old hardcover copy of "Jane Eyre" a month ago at a used book sale at the Hannaford supermarket in Ethan Allen Plaza.

"I found it's a fascinating book," he said. "I brought it home and couldn't put it down."

"He finally put the book down," his wife added, "and then I read it."

It was only after buying "Jane Eyre" that the couple learned of tonight's theatrical performance and of the book club. "We thought, 'Well, let's go and hear what other people are saying about the book,'" Nancy Ellis said. She and her husband plan to see "Jane Eyre" at the Flynn tonight.

Local storyteller and admitted 19th-century literature fan Peter Burns led Wednesday's talk; he even brought banana bread to give the discussion more of a comfortable sit-around-the-table-and-chat feel.

Burns encouraged the group to share its views. George Lee of Burlington noted that Charlotte Bronte and her famed writing sisters were all perfect, while their brother was a "ne'er-do-well." That gender disparity seems to play out in "Jane Eyre," according to Lee.

"The men don't fare so well in this book. They are all imperfect," Lee said of the novel in which the title character considers relationships with two vastly different men. "There are five perfect women in this novel. It's a very one-sided view of human nature, it seems to me."

Burns wasn't so sure. "I think you can fault Jane. She makes her mistakes, and she's fallible," he said. "Given how women are portrayed in the vast majority of 19th-century novels, I believe we can give her the benefit of the doubt."

He asked Lee if he thought that perceived gender bias is a flaw in the novel; Lee said no, it just appears to be Bronte's statement about what might be wrong with the institution of marriage.

Burns gave his own impressions of "Jane Eyre" as well. "I feel like a book like this should be celebrated," he said. "It's a joyful book." (Brent Hallenbeck)

The other news of the day can be grouped like this:

• The Thirteenth Tale's reviews: Absent for some weeks, now Diane Setterfield's book returns with two reviews. On Blogabook and in DavisEnterprise:

“The Thirteenth Tale” pays homage to late 18th century gothic romances in a narrative style that evokes such books, without trying to emulate them. Setterfield’s love of books like “Jane Eyre” — indeed, her love of storytelling — shines forth throughout this novel. (Art Amos/Enterpise Book Critic)

• Rochester Monomania: Check Middling Towards Mediocrity... or The Misanthrope that devotes A Treatise (no less) to Mr. Rochester:

So I guess there are some disparaging remarks going around regarding the casting of Masterpiece Theatre's production of Jane Eyre (OK, one blog that I read contained some remarks). They generally stem from the fact that the actor who was cast in the role of Mr. Rochester happens to be both somewhat young and somewhat sexy. I happened to watch this production on PBS, and let me just say this: I LIKE SEXY. (hack) (Read more)

• Wuthering Heights Marginalia:

Jheck David reviews the 1989 Filipino film Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, a more or less free version of Wuthering Heights. As you know, in a couple of weeks a new Filipino free adaptation, The Promise, will be premiered.

And finally, we have to mention this quote of an interview with Linda Hamilton. The actress is promoting the DVD edition of the 80's TV-series "The Beauty and The Beast" and this is what she says about Ron Perlman, the beast in the series:

Q. What did you think of Ron Perlman when you first saw him in full makeup and costume as Vincent?

A. I thought he was quite sexy. He is the dearest person, anyhow, but there really was something very sexy about him. It's that whole classical theme of unrequited love, the idea of this mysterious protector. He's like Heathcliff (in Wuthering Heights) in that way, a man struggling with his inner demons. (Laughs) Plus, he's like 6-foot-4 and they put him in boots. He casts a big shadow, that boy. (Miriam DiNunzio in The Chicago Sun-Times)

Categories: Books,In the News,Jane Eyre,Movies-DVD-TV,Wuthering Heights