This cover is amazing !

Another great Gothic novel from this talented family of writers .Read it for free here Gutenberg

I just finished Jane Eyre, and was instantly so obsessed that I had to listen to the Brilliance Audio book and then bought the Masterpiece Theatre DVD starring Toby Stephens. HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY SIGH! Mr. Rochester (both in printed form and as portrayed by the darkly passionate Toby Stephens) has eclipsed Mr. Darcy and has given Jamie Fraser a run for his money as well, at least in my mind. Although this is a Gothic tale about a tormented man who experiences the redemptive power of the pure love of a good woman, I find it superior to Wuthering Heights because I like the characters better and I think they are better developed. And the writing, the language, is simply breathtaking in parts. I can't help but think that our beloved DG must have taken some inspiration from Ms. Bronte. In addition to the original paperback classic, I heartily recommend the Brilliance Audio edition and the Masterpiece Theatre DVD.

I haven't listened to Jane Eyre on audio -but I have read the book -and seen copious productions of it on the television. There have been several Mr Rochester's and they all have the same brooding good looks and tormented souls.The last version I saw was on the BBC in 2008 with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson in the titles roles -excellent dramatisation...

Sassenach, that's my favorite production of Jane Eyre! I think it ran here in the states on PBS a couple of years ago. This is an excellent youtube of the two marvelous actors - masterful casting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3vXg9BRliM

I read Jane Eyre many years ago and then listened more recently and loved it both times. I enjoyed it much more than Wuthering Heights when I read the latter. I plan to listen to WH soon for the discussion here so we'll see what I think of it this time, but it paled before Jane Eyre in my current opinion.

Not sure I loved Rochester more than Darcy or Jamie, but that's hardly a major knock on the guy.

And, I don't think I've ever watched a movie version of it. I'm much more a book person than a movie person. . .

Oh, and on a peripherally related note, I can no longer really think of Jane Eyre without thinking of Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair, which is the first in the Thursday Next series. Loved it! And, a later book in the series has made it impossible to ever read Wuthering Heights the same way again.

I agree completely -- Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester were perfectly cast! My 12 year old daughter and I watched the BBC production which i bought on DVD -- and, poor girl, she is now as infatuated with Mr. Rochester as I am -- Toby Stephens...sigh... She can't wait to read the book now! (Of course, I realize Mr. Rochester is not supposed to be quite so handsome, but Toby is so easy on the eyes I simply cannot complain...)

Wow, Toby Stephens sure comes by his supurb acting abilities quite naturally! His mother is Dame Maggie Smith and his father, the late Sir Robert Stephens, his older brother is the actor, Chris Larkin.

Looks as if he's a much sought after performer in TV, movies, theatre, radio and audio books.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toby_Stephens

I discovered Toby Stephens through this movie ( I own a copy of it and i watched like a mad person when it came out). I even joined a forum ...this one... and been a pretty active member for a good while
http://z9.invisionfree.com/Toby_Stephens_Info/index.php?
I love this adaptation, and Toby's portrayal of Mr. Rochester...although I have to say it...he was much to handsome for this part...but i don't care. I just love it!

Too bad Toby is not doing much work for the big screen these days, its hard for NA fans to follow his works these days. All I know that he has embraced his father calling...London stage.

I think he was in a play in the West End over summer -not sure what he is doing now. We don't get to see him much on British TV...his wife was recently in one of our medical dramas...

Sorry for derailing from the topic of this thread, but i cant help it

Because of Jane Eyre and Toby's portrayal of Mr. Rochester ( I have to mentioned here that Ruth Wilson did a wonderful job in this adaptation as well) I went further and bought Onegin (fine acting work from both Ralph Fiennes and Toby ), Cambridge Spies and Twelfth Night ( he is so good doing Shakespeare-and he so perfectly beautiful)
I also watched pretty much everything that he'd worked on, all that was available to me at that point-2008).
I want to recommend watching "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall" -another great adaptation, and a great, perfect little movie-"Photographing Fairies".

I can see why he focused on stage work, there is a level of intensity about him that sits well mosly on stage, and there is nothing but joy for the theater goers to have the chance to see him doing his work live. i may feel this way becuase i know that i will never have the chance to do so...
Apparently, right these days, he is working on "Danton's Death"- By Georg Bűchner.
here an article about it, picture included
http://culturekiosque.com/travel/item18263.htm

Jane Eyre is another classic sitting in my TBR that I haven't gotten around to reading yet.. *sigh* I'll get there one day I promise!!