April 4, 2016
Whether one treasures this classic piece of literature as an old companion or has no acquaintance with it at all, the listener is in for a treat. Reader Bentinck draws us at once into the trials assailing the orphaned and ill-treated 10-year-old Jane. Bentinck’s soft voice, flawless rhythms, and cultured British accent are exactly what’s needed to guide listeners through this heroine’s wild history of tribulations and jubilations. She portrays men, women, and children of different classes quite convincingly, and illuminates a wide range of nuanced emotions as Jane encounters hunger and cruelty as well as tender friendships at school, then a world of anger, fear, defeat, humor, sarcasm, affection, and exaltation as teacher and governess. The remarkable plot, the carefully delineated characters, and Bentinck’s acting facility make the journey an intriguing and memorable experience.
February 1, 2017
Gr 7 Up-Bronte's novel has been reimagined many times over the years, and this iteration is a welcome addition. Jane Eyre is a plain but spirited girl who spends much of her life feeling like an outsider. She becomes a governess and falls in love with her brooding and mysterious employer, Mr. Rochester. Readers assuming that a manga treatment of this classic book would be light and fluffy will be pleased to learn that this is a very faithful adaptation. At more than 300 pages long, it includes larger and smaller plot points from the original novel, many of which will surprise readers who are more familiar with the Orson Welles film version. The manga format makes the story more accessible and reader-friendly. For instance, in the source material, several characters speak French. But in this adaptation, whenever characters are speaking French, their words are written in English but in double-lined word balloons. Bronte's original text is used throughout, but the language is also condensed and simplified. The illustrations also help with this process, showing with actions or expressions what might have taken paragraphs to express. The artwork brings the drama of this story to life and will help younger teens engage more with this classic. VERDICT An effective adaptation that will appeal to manga devotees as well as fans of timeless romances.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
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