Shirley: a Tale (1849)/Volume 3/Advert
Lately Published,
THE THIRD EDITION OF
JANE EYRE; AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
By CURRER BELL.
"AUTHOR OF SHIRLEY."
3 Vols. post 8vo. Price 1l. 11s. 6d. cloth.
LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
From Blackwood's Magazine.
"A very pathetic tale; very singular; and so like truth, that it is difficult to avoid believing that much of the character and incidents are taken from life. Though woman is called the weaker sex, here, in one example, is represented the strongest passion and the strongest principle admirably supported. It is an episode in this work-a-day world, most interesting, and touched at once with a daring and delicate hand. It is a book for the enjoyment of a feeling heart and vigorous understanding."
From Fraser's Magazine.
"Almost all that we require in a novelist the writer has: perception of character and power of delineating it, picturesqueness, passion, and knowledge of life. The story is not only of singular interest, naturally evolved, unflagging to the last, but it fastens itself upon your attention, and will not leave you. The book closed, the enchantment continues: your interest does not cease. Reality—deep, significant reality—is the characteristic of this book. It is an autobiography—not, perhaps, in the naked facts and circumstances, but in the actual suffering and experience. This gives the book its charm: it is soul speaking to soul: it is an utterance from the depths of a struggling, suffering, much enduring spirit: suspiria de profundis."
From Tait's Magazine.
"'Jane Eyre' has already acquired a standard renown. The earnest tone, deep fervour, and truthful delineation of feeling and nature displayed in its pages, must render it a general favourite. There is a touch of nature in the whole book, which is one of its greatest charms. Its views of human nature are in accordance with truth, and the morality it inculcates is throughout of an unexceptionable and instructive nature."
From The Dublin University Magazine.
"A novel of remarkable power and beauty, impressing us with the belief that many of the scenes, as well as the feelings described, are real. The story is one of woman's trials; a long and terrible struggle; and at last, the final triumph of principle over passion."
From The Examiner.
"'Jane Eyre' is a book of decided power. The thoughts are true, sound, and original; and the style, though rude and uncultivated here and there, is resolute, straightforward, and to the purpose. There are faults, which we may advert to presently; but there are also many beauties, and the object and moral of the work is excellent. Without being professedly didactic, the writer's intention (amongst other things) seems to be, to show how intellect and unswerving integrity may win their way, although oppressed by that predominating influence in society which is a mere consequence of the accidents of birth or fortune. There are, it is true, in this autobiography (which though relating to a woman, we do not believe to have been written by a woman), struggles, and throes, and misgivings, such as must necessarily occur in a contest where the advantages are all on one side; but in the end, the honesty, kindness of heart, and perseverance of the heroine, are seen triumphant over every obstacle. Altogether we can consistently recommend the reader to consult the three volumes which comprise the autobiography of 'Jane Eyre' at his earliest leisure, and to place them among his choicest favourites."
From The Atlas.
"This is not merely a work of great promise; it is one of absolute performance. It is one of the most powerful domestic romances which have been published for many years. It has little or nothing of the old conventional stamp upon it; none of the jaded, exhausted attributes of a worn-out vein of imagination, reproducing old incidents and old characters in new combinations; but is full of youthful vigour, of freshness and originality, of nervous diction and concentrated interest. The incidents, though striking, are subordinate to the main purpose of the piece, which depends not upon incident, but on the development of character; it is a tale of passion, not of action; and the passion rises at times to a height of tragic intensity which is almost sublime. It is a book to make the pulses gallop and the heart beat, and to fill the eyes with tears."
From The Weekly Chronicle.
"What we have to say about this work, may be summed up in a very few words—it is the most extraordinary production that has issued from the press for years. We know no author, who possesses such power as is exhibited in these three volumes—no writer, who can sustain such a calm, mental tone, and so deeply interest without having recourse to any startling expedients or blue-fire colouring, so prominent in modern literature. We do not know who 'Currer Bell' might be, but his name will stand very high in literature."
From The Tablet.
"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 him 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."
From The Economist.
"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."
From The Observer.
"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."
From The Spectator.
"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."
From The Guardian.
"We have rarely met with a more deeply interesting story; the descriptions are vivid and striking, placing persons and things before one with rare reality; the characters, every one of them, are clearly and admirably drawn; the dialogue is natural, easy, and unflagging, and the mystery such as would baffle the keenest-scented reader."
From The Church of England Journal.
"One of the best works of its class that has appeared for years. The style is fresh and vigorous, and the whole tone of the work is earnest. The knowledge of human nature displayed throughout, shows that the author's powers of observation and analysis of character are at once minute, close, discriminating, and comprehensive. In power of individualization, as well as in dramatic constructiveness of plot, the author excels. Altogether, the work is one of surpassing merit, and full of interest."
LONDON: SMITH, ELDER AND CO., CORNHILL.