Reviews

Written in 1847, this novel remains a favorite, especially among younger readers and listeners who continue to be entranced by the young Jane and her mysterious Mr. Rochester. The story of an unhappy orphan and her life as a governess at Thornfield is filled with difficulty, including a shocking revelation on her wedding day. The happy ending finally arrives, though, and Jane and Rochester are united forever. Long criticized as being melodramatic and contrived, Jane Eyre has nonetheless become a romantic classic and is often the book that introduces students to serious literature. Bronte's suspense-filled plot adapts well to the audio format. This version, although abridged, omits nothing of importance. Juliet Stevenson, a Royal Shakespeare Company associate, reads with the drama the story demands and makes each character emerge with life and energy. Recommended for general audiences.-- Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

Gr 5-7-The opening spreads in these retellings introduce main characters through short descriptions accompanied by small portraits. Colored-pencil illustrations scattered throughout the narratives take the place of lengthy descriptions in the original works. Tavner carefully re-creates the original plots and characters as well as the authors' styles. Editor's notes provide background information on the stories and explain the process of retelling a classic, which includes omitting some subplots and details, combining some events, and changing dialogue to allow ease in reading. Short lists of related movies and discussions of themes and style will spark interest in the originals. Clarifying the plot and character interactions, these retellings are good introductions to the novels.-Denise Moore, O'Gorman Junior High School, Sioux Falls, SD Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.