Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
Now then, I have read Jane Eyre a few times before, and seen just about every dramatisation available. So the story is by no means new to me. Incidentally it’s not my favourite by Charlotte Brontë- Villette holds that honour with me. However, when the opportunity to re-read this story in this fabulous new edition presented itself, I jumped at the chance. And even though I have a few other books awaiting to be reviewed, and I really shouldn’t be re-reading before I get to those, I don’t feel so naughty as this is also for review!
At the time of reading this book, here in the U.K. we have just enter the 1067th national covid-19 lockdown (I may exaggerate slightly but you get my point- we’ve been locked down and restricted movements an awful lot just lately) so I think this is perfect time for reading Jane Eyre. After all it does begin with “There was no possibility of taking a walk that day”. If that’s not echoing our current state of being stuck (but safe) at home, I don’t know what else does!
I think I’ve only ever read Jane Eyre in Autumn or Winter and I think the gothic nature of the book really suites the darker, colder months. It’s a true classic that I think most people know something about, and although not everyone will like it, I do think everyone should at least try it so they can begin to understand it’s position in English Literature history, and the thousands of references made to it in other literature and media.
This new edition is truly exquisite- although I only have a digital e-arc so can not comment on the physical final edition. The illustrations by Marjolein Bastin are delectable and add subtle touches of flora and fauna throughout. If you’re looking for illustrations depicting scenes from the novel, then you won’t find those here, but I think I actually prefer this style of illustrations. I always associate the Brontë sisters with nature and the outdoors, so these pictures of plants and birds seem very appropriate to me. I think this book will make an excellent gift for someone to be introduced to Jane Eyre, and will make a wonderful addition to any hardcore fan’s collection of all the hundreds of different editions printed. Will be keeping my eyes peeled so I get to look at the physical copy of this book as well as I think it will be stunning.

Il mio romanzo preferito in un’edizione incantevole: è sorprendente come le splendide illustrazioni rendano l’atmosfera dei mari momenti della vicenda, pur essendo semplicemente fuori.
Da acquistare, però, rigorosamente in cartaceo.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Jane Eyre is an all time classic and everyone should read it. If they do so in this book, even better. The illustrations are absolutely perfect and they match the story perfectly. They even make you want to read more (which, before, never thought it was possible).

Always will be my favorite book of all time. Charlotte Brontë is one of a kind, everything that she wrote in live was completeley incrindible. Such a amazing writer and story, the cover is also something that the story needed. Something new, apart of old things that we're into in our bookshelfs.

Marjolein Bastin’s beautiful illustrations of botanicals and nature have long been a favorite. Combine them with some of my favorite literature? Yes, please!

That said…the illustrations are incidental to the story. They are not illustrations of scenes from the books. The publisher’s blurb says there are facsimiles of sheet music, family trees, etc., but the eARCs I was provided did not include these, so I cannot comment on them.

Story wise, these are as they have ever been. Bronte's work is a little moodier and a little more tragic, than the ever-popular Austen but, like Austen, her story has permeated film and literature in the decades and centuries since its publication.

I definitely disagree with the publisher’s details on the reading level of these books. They are not for 7-10-year-olds, or 4th- to 6th-graders. I was a pretty advanced reader and didn’t read P&P until my sophomore year in high school. My college prep reading class struggled with the language and long sentences of these books.

If you’re looking to collect beautiful copies of favorite books, these fill the bill. I couldn’t find specific information, but I imagine them in a larger trim size, on beautiful glossy 100 lb. paper, as with our fancy editions of Tolkein or Rowling. As they will not be released for three more months, this is only speculation. However, that would definitely do Bastein’s beautiful, delicate work justice!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARCs.

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite classics and looking at the beautiful illustrations in this edition made me reread the book in parts. Will make for a wonderful gift to a bibliophile. Also adds a bit of cheer to an otherwise serious plot.

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite works of classic literature, so when I saw this version on NetGalley I just knew I needed to read it. The illustrations are stunning and really add to the whole story, it was such a joy to read Jane Eyre like this.

--Beautiful, Deluxe Treatment of A Classic--

I received an electronic advanced review copy from the publisher through NetGalley, and here are my thoughts.

Jane Eyre is a classic novel that I loved as a child, and I will not be reviewing Jane Eyre, as I think there are plenty of reviews and opinions on this book already.

Without having an actual physical copy to review, I can only guess at the actual quality of the printed product.

However, based on:

1) the gorgeous botanical (and bird) illustrations that appear throughout the book (not on every single page, but just every so often, so you aren't distracted),
2) good font choice (readable and attractive); and
3) attractive layout

I would definitely love to give or receive a book in this Marjolein Bastin Classics Series, which takes well-loved classic novels and makes them a book to enjoy in your hands as well as your heart.

A goof thing about illustrated books make the reading experience more enjoyable. Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and I pretty much own all the beautiful collections of this book! Now that I’ve read & fallen in love with the poppy flower illustrations all over this book, I’m ready to own it too 😍

Thank you Netgalley, publisher for the arc. Totally recommend!

Jane Eyre is a gripping, moody, glorious read in any format, but this new edition is lovely. The typography and illustrations really set the text off beautifully. Flowers, birds and butterflies grace the margins, and the font is extremely readable yet elegant. Any lover of the classics would find this a pleasant addition to their collection!

Jane Eyre is one of my favourite books and I've read it countless times. It was lovely to see such beautiful watercolour illustrations. I would have loved to have a copy like this as a child. Marjolein Bastin's charming artwork complements the text without putting any restraints on the reader's imagination, something Jane herself would have appreciated.

This has to be one of my favourite classics. I read it in my teens and it has stayed with me throughout all the years. Which is why it was fun to see an illustrated version. The illustrator has done a very good work. If you are looking to draw your child/ friend into reading books, I would definitely recommend you to start with this one. Loved it!!

Review provided voluntarily for an ARC received from Netgalley. Thank you publishers for this awesome copy that took me back to my childhood days.

The merits of Charlotte Brontë's beloved Jane Eyre are well known, so it would be redundant for me to extoll the many reasons why this cherished gothic masterpiece is worthy of high praise. Instead I would like to share my experience reading this particular edition featuring the illustrations of Marjolein Bastin. As you may have already gathered, I have the highest regard for Jane Eyre. In fact, I would place it in my list of top 10 literary classics that are bookshelf staples in my home. The artwork of Marjolein Bastin, which primarily features botanical elements, is beautiful and appealing. It charming artwork contrasts with the often darker subject matter in a complimentary manner. For these reasons, I believe that this edition of Jane Eyre would make a lovely collectors item. While I cannot speak for the tangible qualities of the hardcover copy as I received a ebook version, I have no reason to think that it would not be even more impressive.

In Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, the protagonist is a woman who does not fit in no matter where she goes. Her fiery nature and her willingness to defy the misogynistic culture she lives in are very apparent throughout her journey in the novel. She struggles with a sense of belonging, as she is shunned by most throughout her life. When she is involved with Edward Rochester, she fights back in ways that are defiant and non-conformist. She is a woman who is ahead of her time, regardless of how she ends up due to the manipulation she faces from the men she encounters. She is mistreated, abused, gaslit, and manipulated to the point where she feels broken. Yet she never stops fighting, even when she no longer recognizes herself. Her oppression is not unique, yet her reactions are. Jane challenges the social order of the world through her efforts to fight for her own agency after it has been ripped away from her.

Wow - this new edition of Jane Eyre is whimsical and gorgeous with its nature-inspired watercolor details throughout the book. The flowers, foliage, and birds gracefully surround Bronte's words and give such a calming feel.
It's definitely worth getting the collection - along with Emma and Pride and Prejudice so far. These will be lovely gifts, and will dress up my bookshelves!

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately I could not read this book because the file was too large for all of my devices to render. I have read Jane Eyre before so I do know that it is an empowering story with relatable characters even in today's age.

"Jane Eyre" is just one of these novels that I can't get into. I didn't like the writing style, the plot moves too slowly, and I hate the story's conclusion.

The illustrations of this edition don't really add anything to the story.

This is an absolutely stunning illustrated version of a literary classic. It will make a welcome addition to any book lover's collection and would be perfect for gifting. I will not comment on the story itself - it's Jane Eyre. If you've not read it yet, you should. Multiple times. However, I will comment on how swoon-worthy this edition actually it is. I gushed about it to my husband and he's not a booklover so didn't understand my excitement. I'll be adding it to my shelves and have already been recommending it to others in book clubs I'm a part of!

I'm grateful for the complimentary digital ARC I received in exchange for my opinion. I do believe it will be worth investing in the physical copy to appreciate the absolute well-designed beauty.

Jane Eyre is a well-known classic! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or re-reading, this is a lovely illustrated edition to do so in. There are beautiful flower and nature illustrations carefully placed throughout the pages. There are a wide variety of flowers, feathers, birds and more that create gorgeous visuals to accompany the story. This illustrated edition of Jane Eyre releases on March 2, 2021. Thank you so much to Marjolein Bastin, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Eyre is a book that first broke my heart and then released it as so few classic books can.
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This edition adds the beautiful illustrations in watercolors so that one can treasure the book even more.
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Charlotte Brönte's unique writing paired with gentle images of gardens in midsummer. It is a book to collect and treasure for ever.
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Thanks to #NetGalley for let me read #JaneEyre before is on sale, it was a delight and a pleasure rereading it in this beautiful edition