Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre is an orphan that lives in the care of her maternal aunt when her story begins. As she matures, she realizes that she is as capable, intelligent, and curious as any man, a radical view in 19th century England. The novel's length wears at times, but the relationship Jane has with her former boss Mr. Rochester and her unyielding conviction to remain true to herself makes for a complex and engaging story worth reading.

It is through Jane's disclosure of sincere feelings, that I have henceforth experienced the substantiality of mine, once dull and neglected, now ever more awakened and vivid; and I feel in this body of a man so cold and boring at times, that empathy for my own kind once again flows freely, that gratitude for connections at last renewed. I could then feel a broad kind of love, and across distance and time that I love, just as I did with touching words, written almost two-hundred years ago. I want to thank Leonie Christel from the YouTube channel The Book Leo for introducing me to this great work. Jane Eyre has been of great inspiration for the past few months, fulfilling those moments of solitude.

From the perspective of 2013 it may be taken for granted what Jane thought and felt about her needs from a relationship. Then, when this book was written, it must have been revolutionary.