Of all the novels we have read for years this is the most striking, and we may add, the most interesting. Its style as well as its characters are unhackneyed, perfectly fresh and life-like. It is thoroughly English. The story is artistically managed, the characters boldly and vigorously drawn, and the whole calculated to interest and enchain the reader. Economist
The autobiography of Jane Eyre is simply the development of a human mind: the growth, the strength, the restraint, direction, and subduing; the education and guidance, under formation, of a powerful intellect prompted by a strong will. The story invites the reader into the recesses of the human heart, and by its force detains them there until he has unravelled all the mystery of that most miraculous organ. The thread of the story is strung with pearls – pearls of thought and sentiment, and it winds round the reason and the affections. The reading of such a book as this is a healthful exercise, and we sincerely hope may prove as attractive as it must be profitable. Tablet
Jane Eyre is original, vigorous, edifying, and absorbingly interesting. Original in its principal characters and its plot – simple though that plot certainly is; vigorous in thought and consequently in style (for no forcible thinker ever writes in a feeble style); it is edifying from its moral truth and beauty; and it is absorbingly interesting on account of the originality, vigour, and moral edification aforesaid. Jerrold’s Newspaper
Jane Eyre contains much that is fresh and good, and evidently reveals the experiences of a thoughtful and reflective mind. It has that strong and powerful interest which arises from truth clearly developed, and from that strong delineation of characteristics derived from individuals, and not the result of looking at human nature through the spectacles of books. Jerrold’s Magazine
This novel presents many of the features which secure popularity to a work of fiction. The characters introduced are strongly marked; the incidents are various, and of a kind which enlist the sympathies: the style is fresh and vigorous, and scarcely anything is overdone. There is no regular plot; but, what is better, a thrilling interest is excited in each division or department of the story; the several parts hang together with sufficient closeness to constitute continuity, and to admit of a winding-up at the close. Morning Post
The matter and moral of the book are good, and the style is also forcible and impressive: it may well be termed an extraordinary book of its kind, and as truly of a most noble purpose, considerable originality, and high promise. It will be read by most people with pleasure, and laid down by all with regret. Observer
The fiction belongs to that school where minute anatomy of the mind predominates over incidents; the last being made subordinate to description or the display of character. The book displays considerable skill in the plan, and great power, but rather shown in the writing than in the matter; and this vigour sustains a species of interest to the last. Spectator
Full of interest, and not deficient in originality. The history of Jane Eyre possesses attractive qualities, and they are considerably enhanced by the natural and simple manner in which the various adventures are narrated, and the vigorous way in which feelings and passions are portrayed. But, perhaps, the characteristic which is most deserving of commendation is the very admirable delineation and nice discrimination of character. Sun
Much power, and still more promise distinguish this deeply interesting and exciting fiction. The author writes in a natural and unaffected style, and yet there are displayed throughout an earnestness and depth of feeling which the reader finds it impossible to resist. One great merit of the work unquestionably is its originality. It bears an attractive appearance of freshness in its construction and matter. The author deserves no slight credit for the ingenuity and success with which fact and fiction, reality and romance, have been intermingled and made to serve conjointly in maintaining deep and unflagging interest. Morning Advertiser
For power of thought and expression we do not know its rival among modern productions. The tale is one of the heart, and the working out of a moral through the natural affections; it is the victory of mind over matter; the mastery of reason over feeling, without unnatural sacrifices. The writer dives deep into human life and possesses the gift of being able to write as he thinks and feels. The story itself is