Jane Eyre

I finished Jane Eyre today, no thanks to my fussy boss.  Yesterday and this morning, she seemed fine with me reading, since we're a bit dead.  So, I breezed through a large portion of the book and was absolutely dying to get to the end, only to be foiled by needing to IMMEDIATELY bag instruments for the autoclave.  Mind you, after I finished, it took me twenty minutes to finish my reading.  And I still had over and hour and a half of work left...  A good ending waits for no one.  Well, it does, but I am an impatient and eager reader.

This is certainly going to be one of my (try to) yearly rereads.  I absolutely loved the entire novel, though it had me tearing up on and off.  I'll not go too detailed into anything, as Sarah has yet to read it and asked me not to say what happens.

As for literary analysis, well...  Hrm.  I'm feeling a bit lazy.  Suffice to say that it fulfilled my expectations for a perfect Victorian novel.  And it left me quite satisfied, whereas most romance novels really wouldn't.  I really loved the religious/biblical undertones to the entire story--whether it was the possibly of redemption for Mr. Rochester or the fact that Jane's moral rationalization of decisions appealed to me.  She made decisions that made sense, and God help me, nothing is more appealing to me than a truly sensible heroine, all the while being a passionate and intelligent individual who isn't influenced by others.  Were I going to have children, I think I'd have to name a girl Jane, just because I love this book.

Now, what to read?  I'm not feeling Tess too much, presently.  But am attempting to soldier through.  I think I will attempt to devote one day of the week for reviews of books I've read but not posted about due to a number of things.  Fridays perhaps?

Fifty Shades

http://www.buzzfeed.com/annanorth/why-50-shades-of-grey-is-less-about-submission-a

I think the article I linked above has a bit of merit to it.  My opinion is that it was a fun read, nothing I'd be likely to repeat anytime soon, unless I'm just in need of a break from serious reading.  Now, I have the same sort of feeling towards Fifty Shades as I did towards Twilight, but not as hostile this time.  Part of my issue with Twilight is that the twit of an author screwed with a myth (if you will) that had a romance all it's own.  Don't mess with vampires.  They don't bloody sparkle.

Now, Fifty Shades, on the other hand--I dealt well with Anastasia, possibly because I dealt with a relationship where I felt the other person was a bit out of my league.  So, her constant amazement resonated with me.  Christian's stalker capabilities are just... creepy.  Left me feeling a little disappointed in the character.  But, I guess what it really comes down to is exactly what the above article says--women do like getting served.  I don't want to have to communicate where to touch or what to do, or that I do want...  But, reality kicks in at that thought, and usually tells me to start dropping some context clues and hints as to what I want.

I don't think it was a terrible book...  It isn't winning a Nobel prize anytime soon, or ever, but I didn't have an issue with James's overuse of certain things.  Perhaps I lowered my expectations?  That might explain why I dislike Twilight so intensely.  I had high hopes, as my idea of romance involves a very rich, very handsome vampire.  Think Queen of the Damned.  Now, that was good romance.  And not even any talk of erections or spanking.

Fifty Shades didn't speak to my heart, even when Christian was giving her everything and taking all the "right" romantic steps.  As Anastasia puts it, I'm a hearts and flowers kinda girl.

Other than the above, I've not got much to say about the book.  I can see what the hype is about without criticizing those who really did love the book.  It was engrossing and easy to read.  Mind you, I do think the sex scenes were occasionally clumsy (Anne Rice's are waaaaaaaay better), but I think it appeals to women because they do, indeed want someone worshiping them (admittedly, I do entertain the thought myself, from time to time).  I read another article urging Christian women not to read the book.  I don't even want to touch on that one, other than to say that any woman who uses it as an excuse to be dissatisfied with her husband was looking for an excuse anyway.  Reading romance novels because you enjoy them is great, reading them to escape from reality...  That's not technically bad either.  Fiction is an escape.  I hate hearing people rant about the ramifications of using it that way, but I read fiction to relax, because I like a good story, because my mother instilled in me a love of reading that has never, ever left me.  Now, if I read Pride & Prejudice and wish my man were more vocal and romantic in his speech, aren't I doing the same thing as this other article is condemning?

It's a damned book, people.  Read it or don't.  Who cares?