Jane Eyre

In Brontæ's classic tale, the passionate, strong-willed orphan falls in love with the mysterious, brooding Mr. Rochester. She leaves him after discovering the secret locked away in his mansion, but can their love survive such a discovery? Emma Fielding, a classically trained British actress, skillfully captures the wide range of emotions, with just the right amount of vocal change to convey the male characters. She's clearly at home with varied British accents. Good liner notes include a brief summary of each side, a biographical sketch of Brontæ and a list of music used in the production. P.B.J. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

For a fan of Gothic romances, the opportunity to listen to a new recording of JANE EYRE is not to be passed up. British actress Juliet Stevenson gives a simply splendid narration. She gives clear voice to the spirited, intelligent, fiercely independent Jane and communicates the heroine's full range of emotions. Stevenson reads at a smooth, even pace, adding just the right amount of drama. If the new release of JANE EYRE at the movies moves many to take another look at the novel, Stevenson's masterful narration would be an excellent choice. C.R.A. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Narrator Thandie Newton gives a delightful performance of this beloved classic. She delivers the voice of Jane from childhood to adulthood with elegant conviction, breezing through the dense sentences as if they were part of a contemporary novel. She also captures the voices of the many other characters, from Jane's tubercular friend, Helen Burns, to her true love, Mr. Rochester. Even some of the more difficult passages, with their pontifications about religion and morals, do not bog down the story, thanks to Newton's engaged performance. This audiobook would be an excellent way for newcomers to discover why JANE EYRE has stood the test of time, and would also be a lovely reminder for those familiar with this great work. M.M.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Narrator Alison Larkin's mellifluous voice and expressive tone are the perfect accompaniment to this acclaimed bildungsroman about "poor, plain and little" orphaned Jane Eyre and her eternally captivating romance with Edward Rochester. Larkin takes extraordinary care to elicit the full spectrum of emotions at play here, while conveying the gothic elements and psychological realism underpinning this classic. Listeners will be riveted by her portrayals of Jane's intelligence, integrity, and forthright manner, and of Rochester's intense and sometimes playful demeanor. Her nuanced characterizations of supporting characters of all ages, genders, and social classes are perceptive and revelatory. Larkin's thoughtful and subtly dramatic performance allows listeners to be fully engaged with the admirably resilient Jane throughout this delightful production. M.J. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine