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The Real Love Story Behind Jane Eyre Was Much Darker

The Book Club

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Why is Jane Eyre a romantic classic? Who was Charlotte Brontë? And, what social critiques lie in the heart of the novel?

Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tabitha Syrett as they delve into the fascinating story behind the writing of Jane Eyre, the world it was born of, and the novel itself.

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UPCOMING BOOKS!

29 Sept AMERICAN PSYCHO
6 Oct GOLDFINGER
13 Oct THE BELL JAR
20 Oct WHITE NIGHTS
27 Oct THE SHINING
3 Nov THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
10 Nov MASTER AND COMMANDER

0:00 Why Jane Eyre Shocked Victorian Britain
2:13 Klarna
3:24 The Story of Jane Eyre
10:42 Charlotte Brontë’s Strange and Tragic Childhood
20:05 The Real-Life Love Behind Mr Rochester
26:42 What Inspired Jane Eyre?
35:48 Publication, Success and Scandal
42:48 Jane Eyre: A Radical Victorian Heroine
50:56 Mr Rochester and Literature’s Great Romance
58:17 Why Victorians Thought Jane Eyre Was Revolutionary
1:07:41 Bertha Mason: The Woman in the Attic
1:14:43 Final Verdict on Jane Eyre

Senior Producer: Nicole Maslen
Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Video Editor: Caroline Kaye
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

20 Comments

@kimjensenable 9 days ago

Jane was my favorite book at 13 yrs of age. At 63 it still holds the highest regard in my heart... like an old friend.

@judynesher5898 9 days ago

It’s truly incredible to think that at a time when women didn’t have a voice, Charlotte Brontë wrote such a book in which one of the chapters (the last?) begins with the words, “Reader, I married him.” Not ‘He married me’ but “I married him.”

@teedeegonzalez 8 days ago

People who hate “spoilers” should read the book before watching. So-called “spoilers” make book discussions of this nature more interesting and complete!

@chillymilly7005 8 days ago

I love that you discuss spoilers! Most book tubers won't and the discussion suffers for it.

@marywoolley-nb7ct 9 days ago

As a teenager I loved Jane Eyre so much that I would wake up on Saturday morning ,read the last couple of chapters of J E , have a weep and then enjoy the rest of the weekend refreshed. 😂

@EliseLeonard-c1b 9 days ago

The observation that Jane feels like a friend is perfect. Not only a friend, but a strong, deeply honest and not especially beautiful one. If you’re a 10 year old girl, that allows the book to speak directly to your soul. .

@susanthoms6268 9 days ago

I have read Jane Eyre 3 times. Each time I found new depths of wisdom and pleasure in the text. ❤❤❤

@huckleberryocho 9 days ago

"I have a strange feeling with regard to you. As if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly knotted to a similar string in you. And if you were to leave I'm afraid that cord of communion would snap. And I have a notion that I'd take to bleeding inwardly."

@BookVoice-r6g 9 days ago

Charlotte Brontë's formulation of the phrase "Reader, I married him" represents a radical shift in Victorian narrative philosophy, where she wrested decision-making power and independent agency for women in an era of silence. The embodiment of the character "Jane" as a sincere friend, far from traditional beauty standards, allowed the novel to penetrate the human psyche and build a direct connection with the younger generation. This literary authenticity proves that the strength of character and moral integrity are the true treasures that create immortality and give the soul a voice that resonates through the ages.

@analuisarex 9 days ago

I love the podcast and the newsletter. I was very excited about this one because I love Jane Eyre. But in all honesty I'm always waiting for the next episode as soon as I finish one. I thought I couldn't adore reading more, but listening to your wonderful insights has proved me wrong. I want to reread everything I've read now. Sending love from Portugal (English is my second language but one of my first passions).

@BlueDaffodil.22 7 days ago

I agree that “The Wide Sargasso Sea” did affect my memory of Jane Eyre. No turning back.

@yvonnehook275 9 days ago

I love “The Wide Sargasso Sea.” I wish you would pick it for a future book club reading. ❤️❤️❤️

@reginawhitlock4227 9 days ago

Jane Eyre was never rejected by a publisher. George Smith had declined to accept the Professor, but he had asked to see something else by the writer. Charlotte sent him Jane Eyre. He couldn't put it down, he read it in one day.

@elizabethtowers1166 9 days ago

“It’s Mr. Toad combing his hair” 🤣 👏🏼 👏🏼

@SaraSmit-e8w 9 days ago

Like Tabby, I first read Jane Eyre when I was about 12. I reread it when I was about 50, because I wanted to write a modernized Gothic story and was trying to identify the essential elements of a Gothic. During that second reading, I wad struck the amount of social protest in it, and I didn’t even pick up on the critique of colonialism. Your analysis is so in-depth and insightful.

@PressOn-s4c 9 days ago

Just want to let you know that I come from Hong Kong. I am your fan. Well done of this channel. It is inspiring and helping me improving my English. Thank you.

@terryhutchings7701 9 days ago

I loved Jane Eyre, but disliked Wuthering Heights. Just couldn’t wrap my head around the craziness in Wuthering Heights, perhaps because there was no obvious heroine(s). Little Helen dying in Jane Eyre was so heartbreaking.

@francesT5877 9 days ago

I’m hoping for The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.

@joloveslife 8 days ago

I also read Jane Eyre when I was about 12 and I loved it so much that it hurt. I don't know what the word is to describe the feeling when something is almost too wonderful. The emotional pang you feel when you believe nothing can ever match that experience again😅. That book was the first time I had ever experienced that feeling. I almost didn't want to reread it because I thought it could never match that experience again...but I did last year and I adored it. It's such a special book ❤. Love your podcast guys. It's the best thing on the Internet hands down 🙌