Jane Eyre, the book and the screen version with Ruth Wilson

It was aired here yesterday for the first time, so on new yer's day I picked up the book to become more familiar with the story than I had been before (I'd seen Zeferelli version about 6 years ago and read an abridged version of the novel around the same time). I've reached visitors at Thornfiels so far, but the 2nd episode of the new series went a little further than that.

First about the book. I am enjoying it but I somewhat find Charlotte's style too wordy and the story wanted more pace I think (now it goes faster, just as I would like!). I like the special atmosphere of the book and it leaves a special feel with me even when I put the book aside.

I expected more of the new series, but I wouldn't say I entirely disliked it. I did not like how they crumpled all the childhood period in only 5 minutes or so. They just showed the surface and Jane's character as a child remained undeveloped. But I think it was important in the book, it explains why Jane was what she was when she came to Thornfield.

I liked Ruth Wilson as Jane, she has somewhat irregular features which suits well to her remoteness and Rochester's perception of her as a "witch" and "elfish creature". But she seems too forward in my opinion compared to the Jane from the book, even though I find the personality as portraid in the series attractive too. Ruth Wilson also reminds me of Victoria hamilton (Queen Victoria in Victoria and Albert and also some parts in Jane Austen adaptations) and it confuses me a little.

I wasn't sure about Toby Stephens as Rochester judging from film stills I'd seen, but the moment I saw him rising from the ground in the fog, I felt there was something "Rochesterish" about him. I still cannot pinpoint exactly what it was, his moodiness maybe.

From the scene Jane helps Rochester on the horse it's very obvious how well they would suit together I think. And after the fire scene it looks very much obvious as if Rochester is going to kiss her, I think it was a bit too bold and early implied (thinking of the forst proposal in Keira Knightley P&P version here). After that scene Jane looks very happy as if he'd just proposed to her, I would expect a more thoughtful reaction from Jane in the book. And she puts on a small red scarf the next morning (see the picture above!), that is just too forward an implication I think ;-)

In general, Jane and Rochester seem to get on very well from very early on, and their inclination towards each other seems too obvious, not the way I would imagine it's in the book, but it looks quite romantic to me so I do not complain. But I do think it's different from the novel.

Adele looks a bit older than it the books, but she's nice. Mrs Fairfax is ok, but I liked the one in the Zeferelli version more. Pilot is cute!

I loved the Thornfield landscapes, they looked so very realistic and English with their lack of sunlight, and the scene of Jane and Rochester meeting was wrapped in a fog.

To wrap up, I'd say that this version does not exactly conform to the book, but it's enjoyable enough once you forget the crumpled and sinister-looking beginning (the Lowood scenes were so awfully scary!). I would describe it as a-too-forward-Jane version. It's somewhat reminiscent of what they did to Fanny in the Mansfield Park adaptation with Frances O'Connor, but I don't complian of that much, I had other issies with that film. I rather like the heroine's development in both Mansfield Park and this Jane Eyre though there was nothing like that in their character in the books!