Jane Eyre - A Review of an Historic Nove

Jane Eyre is one of Cornwall's most beloved novels. It was first published in 1940, and while most of the events described in the book took place in the north of England, Grisham added a few events that took place in Llandudno, Wales, making it truly a novel of merit. It is primarily set in Grisham, but includes a few additional towns, such as Taunton, that add an element of local interest. What makes Jane Eyre stands out from other romance novels is that Grisham peppers its tale with enough twists and turns to keep the reader entertained but not tired.

The story begins in the middle of winter, when Mrs. Mabie Tandy, a young lady who lives in Llandudno, goes on vacation with her mother and younger sister. When they stop at a small shop to purchase a pair of boots for their trip, they are surprised to find that the owner has gone missing. John Eyre, a boy living with his grandmother in the small town of Rishton, happens to overhear the entire conversation. This leads him to the nearby solicitor, Mr. Patrick Twyford, who also happens to be the owner of the popular ginger beer that everyone in the town drinks. As luck would have it, John and Mrs. Tandy eventually end up at the ginger beer parlor where they meet a man named John Mason, who introduces them to his friend Mabie.

While waiting for their girls to return from their trip, John and Mabie overhear a conversation between the owner and Mrs. Tandy's granddaughter, Sarah Barlow. Mrs. Barlow is relating how her aunt, Jane Eyre, refuses to allow her grandchildren visit her late in the evening because she is "writing to a dead woman". John and Mabie overhear the conversation between the governess and the girl's husband, Mr. Thomas Barlow, who also happens to be the owner of the Ginger Beer Parlor. Mrs. Barlow threatens to send the couple away if they do not leave, but when the girls return they learn that the governess is actually married to a man named Roger Merchant.

Mabie and John both want to learn more about Mrs. Barlow, so they go to Roger's home to ask questions. However, they soon find out that the governess is not only married to a man named Roger but also to Mr. Thomas. The couple is very upset because they discover that their cousin, Jane Eyre, was already married before they were born. Mabie and John are then carried away by the news of their cousin's divorce and come to believe that they can marry their cousins too. They then hurry to the Eyre home, where the governess is already married to another man. John and Mabie both want to marry the new bride to save themselves from embarrassment.

Jane Eyre is based on historical events. One of the most famous stories of the Restoration era is the one about King Henry VIII marrying Blanche of Castile. In this book, Mabie and John try to learn why this marriage failed and whether it could have been prevented. There is also a rich history between Blanche and her first husband. Mabie and John soon discover that Blanche was already married to a wealthy man named Mason. It is said that the poor man died of shame because he could not consent to the marriage and so died alone.

I enjoyed reading about the royal family of England, as well as the Tudor period. The novel also has a strong historical theme, with many parallels to current political situations in the United Kingdom and around the world. I enjoyed reading about how the characters' personal lives affect their decisions regarding societal issues and events, including how their actions and emotions affect the people around them. While I enjoyed reading about the historical background of the novel, it does get tiresome at times reading about the exact details of each of the characters' lives.