The wonderful classic <i>Jane Eyre</i> by world renowned author Charlotte Bronte is an absolute must read for all ages. It was first published in 1847 and has been a firm favourite with readers worldwide ever since.<br><br>Charlotte was born in 1816 and resisted the conventional ideas of Victorian society, attending Cambridge University before settling in Yorkshire as a parson. Her mother and two older sisters died when she was young, leaving her to tend for her two younger sisters Emily and Anne, and her brother Branwell. The premature ending to her childhood left Charlotte hardened and strong willed which helped fuel her determination in writing. Her father was also a great influence to her and her siblings as he often indulged his children in allowing them to freely read his books and educated them in the ways of the political news. This left them very well informed on such matters and this is noticeable in their articulate writing.<br><br> The book follows the story of <i>Jane Eyre</i> and her romantic interest, Rochester, in an unusual and dramatic plot. As with all her books Bronte continually questions and opposes the stereotypical view of women in Victorian society and uses her spirited protagonists to spearhead her attack on such labels. It is an inspirational and interesting book by a brilliant author.