5 Books Just Like Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre has long been one of the most beloved novels in literature, and its popularity is the result of a gripping narrative, engaging characters, and wonderful writing that brings the story to life.

Its daring plot revolves around a woman’s journey to find her place in society and falling in love with her employer.

5 Books Just Like Jane Eyre

With its themes of social criticism, religion and feminism still being relevant today, it is no wonder why readers continue to be captivated by this timeless classic.

As the title suggests, the story of Jane Eyre focuses on the journey of Jane, a young woman who is determined to find her place in society and true love, despite the obstacles she faces, Readers join her at the start of her story as an orphaned child, and follow her life as she moves to a new home as a governess, where adventure and drama await her.

Despite having first been published in 1847, Jane Eyre remains a popular choice for readers today, and the themes, characters, and plot of the novel have inspired many other works, remaining as poignant and relevant in modern society as they were at the time of their origin – everyone has experienced the struggles of love, the oppression of a society that doesn’t understand us, and the challenges of finding ones place in the world.

If you love Jane Eyre, then why not check out similar novels such as Wuthering Heights, Little Women, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, or Villette?

These novels all have similar themes to Jane Eyre and provide readers with a captivating story that is sure to keep them enthralled.

Themes In Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre: The Original 1847 Edition With Illustrations: (A Classic Illustrated Novel of Charlotte Brontë)

Jane Eyre is a novel that explores many themes, and this is a key element of the enduring popularity of the novel.

I took a closer look at some of the key themes explored within the story to help ensure that readers have the information they need.

Social Criticism

Social criticism is a major theme in Jane Eyre, and it is used to explore the oppression of women in society.

Jane is often seen as an outsider due to her lower class status, and she is constantly fighting against the expectations of society.

Religion

Religion plays a major role in Jane Eyre, and it is used to explore the power of faith and how it can be used to both oppress and liberate people.

Jane is often seen by many as a religious figure or as representing the struggles of other religious figures, and her faith is used to help her overcome the obstacles she faces.

Feminism

Feminism is another major theme in Jane Eyre, and it is used to explore the power of women and how they can fight against oppression.

Jane’s journey to find her place in society is an example of this, as she uses her strength and determination to overcome the obstacles she faces along her journey.

Sex And Gender Roles

Sex and gender roles are also explored in the novel, and these are used to examine how society views women and their place in the world.

Jane’s journey is a testament to her strength and determination, as she fights against the expectations of society and strives to find her place in the world.

Books Like Jane Eyre

If you are looking for more books like Jane Eyre, then why not check out some of the other classics from the same era such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Emma by Jane Austen, or Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen?

All of these novels explore similar themes to Jane Eyre, such as social criticism, religion, feminism, and sex and gender roles.

Some of the best books that compare to jane Eyre include:

Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier (1938)

Rebecca By Daphne Du Maurier(2002-07-30)

“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”

These famous words kick off Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel, Rebecca, transporting readers to the dramatic Cornish coast for a story of love, obsession, and secrets.

Rebecca follows the story of a young woman who is swept off her feet by the mysterious Maxim de Winter and moves to his estate of Manderley.

But all is not as it seems, and soon the new Mrs de Winter finds herself in a battle with the memory of Rebecca, Maxim’s late wife.

This is a novel that has earned its place in the lexicon of great literature and is beloved by fans thanks to a combination of suspense, romance, and mystery.

The characters are complex and the setting is captivating, making this a must-read for fans of Jane Eyre.

Pros

  • Blends a host of ideas, themes, and characters into one novel
  • Complex narrative with plenty of twists and turns
  • Nuances, authentic characters

Cons

  • Some readers dislike the long descriptions which form a key part of the novel

Themes: Love, obsession, secrets, class differences, gender roles

Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte (1847)

Wuthering Heights

Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights is a classic of English literature and one of the most beloved novels of all time.

It tells the story of two families living in the Yorkshire moors: the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and the novel follows the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, as they battle against the odds to be together.

This is a novel that has stood the test of time, and its themes of love, obsession, and revenge are still relevant today.

It is a powerful exploration of class differences and gender roles, making it an ideal read for fans of Jane Eyre.

Pros

  • Powerful story of love and obsession
  • Richly drawn characters and setting
  • Explores themes of class differences and gender roles in an engaging way

Cons

  • The narrative structure can be confusing for some readers

Themes: Love, obsession, relationships, societal roles, family

Northanger Abbey – Jane Austen (1798-1799)

Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen’s classic satire of the gothic novel.

It follows the story of Catherine Morland, a naive young woman who is invited to stay at Northanger Abbey and soon finds herself embroiled in a world of mystery and intrigue.

The novel follows Catherine as she navigates the world of high society, and readers learn about her friendship with Isabelle, who finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls in love with a suave young man, leaving poor Catherine alone to defend herself from the advances of Isabelle’s brother John, a dull, arrogant and most unpleasant character.

Northanger Abbey is a delightful and witty novel that will appeal to fans of Jane Eyre.

It is full of Austen’s trademark wit and charm, as well as her sharp observations on the nature of human relationships, and their place in the society in which she was living – many of which are surprisingly relevant to this day.

Pros

  • Delightful satire of the gothic novel
  • Witty and charming
  • Sharp observations on human relationships

Cons

  • Does require some knowledge of the genre and society to fully appreciate the novel

Themes: Love, class differences, gender roles, wealth and responsibility, “coming of age”, society

Villette – Charlotte Bronte (1853)

Villette (Wordsworth Classics)

Villette was Charlotte Bronte’s final novel, and it tells the story of troubled Lucy Snowe, a young woman who travels to France in search of work.

She soon finds herself in the employ of Madame Beck, a mysterious and powerful figure who has secrets of her own.

The novel follows Lucy as she navigates the treacherous world of French society, while also exploring themes such as love, obsession, and class differences. 

Pros

  • Amazing characters and narrative voice
  • Sharp, smart narrative that keeps the reader guessing
  • Dark, realistic narrative

Cons

  • Some readers have stated that they found the novel hard to really get into.

Themes: Love, unrequited love, obsession, secrets, resilience, independence, the role of women.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall – Anne Bronte

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (Penguin Classics)

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is the second novel by Anne Bronte, and it tells the story of Helen Graham, a young woman who moves to a mysterious estate in rural England.

She soon finds herself embroiled in a world of secrets and lies, as she attempts to uncover the truth about her husband’s past.

The novel follows Helen as she navigates the complex world of Victorian society, while also exploring themes such as love, betrayal, and gender roles.

It is an intense and powerful read that will appeal to fans of Jane Eyre.

Pros

  • Strong presentation of female characters
  • Fast-paced, engaging plot
  • Richly drawn characters and setting

Cons

  • Can be quite tricky to read
  • Heavy focus on religion

Themes: Love, gender roles, sexism, morality, religion, faith, marriage

Final Thoughts

For readers looking for books like Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, Northanger Abbey, and Vilette are all excellent choices.

Each of these novels explores themes such as love, obsession, revenge, class differences, and gender roles in their own unique way, and each novel offers a powerful, engaging tale that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Other Books Are Similar To Jane Eyre?

Other books that explore similar themes to Jane Eyre include Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, and Villette by Charlotte Bronte.

What Themes Are Included In Jane Eyre?

Themes in Jane Eyre include love, betrayal, secrets, class differences, and gender roles.

The novel also explores themes of morality and social justice.

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Anna Davis