"Books are scarce in the world. They are illegal in some provinces. They are not easily replaced, if not impossible to replace if lost in many if not most circumstances. If you can replace a book or buy one, it is usually through the black market at astronomical costs that you cannot afford. Yet you have been able to maintain one of the best collections in the world. If your entire library was about to burn up and you could only have one* book to take with you other than the Bible, what would that be and why?"
Simple Rules:
Answer the question.
Offer one quote that resonates with you.
Tag five people whose response is of genuine interest to you and inform him or her that they have been tagged. *and it cannot be an entire series of something, that’s cheating.
This is a tough one. We have three bookcases in the house, double- and sometimes triple-shelved with our books.
But, I think I would have to take my copy of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte'. My copy was published in 1943, and is actually a reproduction of the second edition, published back in 1847. The illustrations by Fritz Eichenberg were printed letter press from electrotypes of the original wood engravings, and the book contains an Author's Preface dated December 21st, 1847. I first read Jane Eyre in 7th or 8th grade, a copy that I had borrowed from the school library. I've always loved the story, and have seen a few good TV/movie versions as well.
Recognized as a masterpiece when it was published in 1847, “Jane Eyre” is Charlotte Bronte’s extraordinary coming-of-age story of one of literature’s most independent and strong-willed women.
Jane Eyre is obscure and plain, but locked up in the attic of her imagination lives a woman so passionate, so wild, and so full of longing, she must be guarded night and day for fear of the havoc she would wreak.
Favorite quote:
"My spirit," I answered, mentally, "is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly known to me. At any rate, it will be strong enough to search - inquire - to grope an outlet from this crowd of doubt, and find the open day of certainty."
Isn't that what we all want - an outlet from doubt and an open day of certainty?
5 comments:
Nice.
RT tagged me with this one and will post it later on.
Nice choice! I love Jane Eyre. When I read this in college and was taking a history class at the same time, I found something neat in my reading. Back when, an "eyre" was a judge that traveled around conducting his work. How neat that Jane was a character that traveled around, but instead of really passing judgment, she was the one judged at almost every turn (until she finally left Rochester's house and went on that last journey).
Love that book.
If you haven't, read The Wide Sargasso Sea.
Admiral - looking forward to seeing what you choose.
RT - That's interesting, about an 'eyre', I did not know that. Thanks for the book suggestion, I always like to get new recommendations - it helps me break out of the 'box' of what I usually read, which are mostly mysteries/suspense. I will add that to my list.
It tells Mrs. Rochester's story. It's whack.
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