The Eyre Apparent...

Ok, Ok, I'll admit that the world doesn't really need another film version of Charlotte Bronte's amazing classic, Jane Eyre. There have been as many as 30 versions by my count, including television and foreign language titles. What is it about this romance classic that continues to fascinate both film makers and audiences? I believe that this book, which has been on my favorites list since I first read it at 9, has all of the elements that a reader could want. The book explores spirituality, faith, love, romance, sexual chemistry, madness, adultery, sin, horror and certainly, redemption. I'm not sure what more one could ask from a work of genre fiction. Since the latest film version of Jane Eyre opens this month, I thought I'd provide a quick overview of some of my favorite and least favorite adaptations. This is by no means an exhaustive list, I have only included versions that I have actually experienced. If I were planning a Jane Eyre Festival, most of these would definitely be on the program...

Jane Eyre - 1934
Colin Clive and Virginia Bruce

Happy Jane!
If you have ever felt that Jane Eyre could be improved if it was just a bit more cheerful and upbeat, this is the version for you! All is sweetness and light in this film version, which has next to nothing to do with the actual text of the book. A blonde Jane!!!  That tells you all you need to know.

Jane Eyre - 1944
Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles

Broody Jane!
This version certainly relies on the novel's gothic tone.  Welles plays a very broody and intense Rochester, but I didn't think Fontaine added much with her portrayal of Jane as sort of a wishy-washy damsel in distress.  It adheres to the text of the novel pretty closely and is a decent, if limited, adaptation.

Jane Eyre - 1949
Mary Sinclair and Charlton Heston

Yankee Jane!
Nothing special to be found in this blase treatment of the book produced as part of the otherwise excellent Studio One television series. The lack of British accents let one experience the book from a Yank's perspective.

Jane Eyre - 1970
George C. Scott and Susannah York

Elderly Jane!
While I enjoyed the look and feel of this version and the acting was solid, both of the main characters were played by actors far too old for the roles.  Nothing terrible about this version, but certainly nothing special either.

  

Jane Eyre - 1973
Sorcha Cusack and Michael Jayston

Steady Jane!
A very good BBC production that adheres closely to the text of the book and features excellent performances by both leads.  Nothing brilliant about the look of this production, but if you want a version that remains true to the book and doesn't screw with any of the major elements, then this may be the best one for you.

Jane Eyre - 1983
Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton

Completely Jane!

Another BBC production which features all of the positives of the 1973 production with just a smidge more intensity. This is, in my opinion, the most complete and well-rounded adaptation of JE to be found. The script is faithful to the text of the novel, the performances are nuanced and Dalton's Rochester is just the right level of intense and passionate without being obnoxious. If Zelah Clarke is unable to match Dalton fully, she does a very credible job of portraying Jane's straightforward and innocent nature. My only gripe? Typically cheap BBC sets. The interior shots look like the sets of a high school theater department production. Still, for the Bronte loving purists, this is a treasure!

Jane Eyre - 1996
Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt

Whimpy Jane!
The only reason to see this version is to enjoy the excellent cinematography and the gorgeous look of the film.  Neither Gainsbourg nor Hurt brought much energy or passion to their roles. They both float through the film with a sort of resigned sadness and it just doesn't serve the story at all.

Jane Eyre - 1997
Samantha Morton and Ciaran Hinds

Angry Jane!
Anyone who knows me knows how much I adore Irish actor Ciaran Hinds, however his Yelly McYellerson approach to Rochester was not a highpoint of his career. Hinds chooses to emphasize Rochester's anger and we don't see much more than that. The production is fine, but the script is rather weak and I recommend this version only for the joy of watching Ciaran Hinds look excellent in period costume. Oh, this version did feature an excellent Pilot!

Jane Eyre - 2006

Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens

Sexy Jane!

Certainly the hottest version of Jane Eyre so far, this BBC production was really well-done.  Beautifully shot, with a strong musical score and an excellent script, this version featured a more  modern interpretation of the classic tale. Toby Stephens brings a boatload of sex-appeal, humor and charm to the the role of Rochester, although he never loses the character's intensity.  Ruth Wilson is wonderfully subtle as a smart, strong, forthright and loving Jane.  This is likely the version that readers of historical romances will most enjoy.



So there you have it Eyre heads!  Hopefully this quick overview will help you to pick and choose your fave film version of one of the best books ever!  I'd love to hear which Jane you liked best and I would really love to hear a review of any of the zillions of versions that I missed...

Five Books that I really, really liked this year...

Ok, for the last top 5 Tuesday of 2010, I decided to do one of those best of lists. I was going to pick the five best books of 2010. Then I started thinking about the fact that I haven't read every book published in 2010 and with my over developed sense of fairness, I realized that it wouldn't be fair to declare a certain five books, the best!, when I had not covered all the bases. Realizing that I was mired in a sort of ridiculous, not to mention fruitless, argument with myself, I just decided to give you five books published in 2010 that I thought were excellent. Now while I haven't read everything published this year, I would guess that I've read more than the average bear this year, thanks to canceling HBO and the abundance of idiotic reality TV shows, and these five books stood out to me. I was a bit surprised to find the list heavy on non-fiction, because we all now what a genre fiction slut I am. I did read quite a bit of non-fiction this year and it was an excellent year for it.  Without further ado, five really, really, really good books from 2010...

Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Marriage of the Century - Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger
Thanks to Elizabeth Taylor deciding to let the authors read and quote from Richard's love letters to her, we finally get a truly intimate and accurate peak into one of the most sizzling love affairs ever.  I loved this book.

Dark Road to Darjeeling - Deanna Raybourn
Raybourn's fourth book in this wonderful historical mystery series finds her at the top of her game.  The series seems to only improve with time and I am already anticipating number five! 

Must You Go: My Life with Harold Pinter - Antonia Fraser
The author, famous for her historical biographies, takes a look at her 30 + years with the playwright, Harold Pinter.  The book draws largely from Fraser's diaries and there is an enormous amount of detail as to their everyday lives, their work, their friends (many quite famous) and their political as well as personal issues.  Nothing terribly titillating here, just a remarkable story of two rather extraordinary individuals building a life together.

Fever Dreams - Preston & Child
The 10th thriller featuring the always brilliant and erudite FBI agent Pendergast, this is one of the best.  I was starting to tire of this series and felt like it might be losing me, but this one pulled me back in.  Cannot wait for number 11.

The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer - Siddhartha Mukherjee

A comprehensive and amazing look at a disease that has touched us all.  This book is packed with information, yet written in a really accessible style.  I'm reading it in small chunks because I keep finding myself rushing off to google people and places that are discussed.  Mukherjee is an oncologist and a researcher, but he is also an excellent writer.  

So there you go. Five books that stood out from the pack for me this year. As always, I'd love to hear about your faves. What did you read in 2010 that you think everyone should read?  What are you most looking forward to reading in 2011? Cause you know, it is never to early to get a start on next year's list...

This wouldn't be my list, but it isn't a bad one...

This list of Top 10 Horror titles from a critic at the Guardian doesn't include many that would be on my list, but all-in-all, it isn't a bad list.  If you're willing to expand your definition of horror a bit, most of these titles are pretty freaking scary!  Since Horror is a fave of mine, I'd love to hear your top 10...

Top 10 Horror Books

Ok, link is fixed and all is right with the world.  Horror fans should pay attention to two stories that he mentions,  The Birds by Daphne DuMaurier and the MR James classic, Oh Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad.  These two are personal favorites and very scary stuff!