What have I been listening to?

Let me tell you about three artists I have been listening to recently: Fatima Al Qadiri, SZA and Kelela. I have been listening to these three artists solidly and solely for the last few weeks, if that explains my current infatuation with their music at all.

FATIMA AL QADIRI:

I'm not sure how I came across this artist, but I am pretty certain I read/heard her name somewhere and immediately had look her up- because of her distinctively Arabic name. I was expecting something quite Yasmine Hamdan, someone who sung in Arabic but popular in the West for her weird, sultry, musical style. Instead I got something more in tune with Grimes, deeply layered, synth heavy, creepy and with no/limited vocals. Her music sounds like someone who has spent far too long playing video games and in doing so, has found them self lost in a disturbing melodic narrative. And that's exactly what Fatima Al Qadiri's music is. To quote 'Pitchfork' on her EP Desert Strike Al Qadiri says "The record is dedicated to this sci-fi period of my childhood- surviving the invasion of Kuwait, the war, and then playing a video game based on those events a year later." Desert Strike is what I have been listening to the most with the songs 'Desert Strike', 'Hydra' and 'Oil Well' being my favourites. Despite the lack of vocals, her music captures something deeply dark and poetic, whilst being unique in its own brand of  futuristic, steely electronica.
 
Here is 'Oil Well':
                                                       
SZA

SZA sounds like a mix between Erykah Badu, FKA Twigs and The Weeknd, with a musical style that alternates between the subdued and raspy. Her music has a  dream- like, highly emotive tenderness to it, that sounds like modern R&B evolved. I've been listening to her EP 'Z' the most, with the tracks 'Warm Winds' (in particular the second part) and 'Babylon' being my favourites. 'Babylon' also features the rapper Kendrick Lamar but I think I prefer the version without him, because SZA's vocals are best enjoyed without any extra additions, unless they are in harmony with hers.

 Here is 'Babylon' :

                 

KELELA

Kelela is my favourite out of the three and probably my favourite female vocalist at the moment. She sounds like pure honey and her music could be the love child of Aaliyah and Little Dragon...which is totally, 100% up my alley. Despite the 90s R&B throwback of her style, Her mixtape 'CUT 4 ME' features the grime induced number 'Enemy' and although not really being a fan of grime at all (aggressive in a messy way) its amazing with her American lilt and vocal range. And the synth-y, spooky 'Do it Again' which I am not sure what to classify as being. However my favourite on the album is 'Floor Show', which makes me sing and dance along at the same, despite the coldness of it (sunglasses are probably needed as to not look too enthusiastic).

'Here is Floor Show'

                  

Detective Stories

Who knew I could be such a fan of detective stories? I cannot be the only one who, when thinking of the word 'detective' , immediately conjures up a mental image of Humphrey Bogart drivelling on in some hideously sexist 'film noir'? The trench coat, the fedora, the shadowy lighting...alas that is not what I am getting at here! I'm referring to my televised obsessions as of late, that exist within the detective genre, but go beyond the detective genre and now I am fully fledged fan of all things related. It started off with Twin Peaks, took an expected turn to True Detective and finally to The Fall. And now I must explain my deep love and obsession for the mentioned above, in hope you will join me or nod in agreement with the testimonies I am about to relay.

TWIN PEAKS

Twin Peaks, the magnum opus of David Lynch's surrealist ambition of the mundane and esoteric, began my love affair for the detective genre. I feel a little conceited in explaining my love for it, as fans of the show tend to think of themselves as belonging to an elite group of superior tastes (myself included), especially if they made it through to the end of the show. Twin Peaks is hard to get through, mixing the bizarre with early 90s cheese but when the grand moments reveal itself, it does feel like holy grail. And it sticks with you forever. The story follows 'Agent Cooper' and his investigation of the murder of the enigmatic 'Laura Palmer'. Lynch takes the image of the pure, all American, 'prom queen' teenage girl, that pervades the idea of the 'ultimate' American (or at least how it appears as being to a non-American) and taints it and makes it an almost ugly thing. 'Laura Palmer' serves as being the perfect American girl in every way and ends up murdered, washed up on the banks of a river covered in plastic. Twin Peaks explores the layers behind Laura, the two Lauras, the town of Twin Peaks and its inhabitants. In fact much of the show relies on this theme of duality, balancing the perfected with the soiled and it feels disturbing not being able to distinguish between the two.

 Twin Peaks, takes elements of film noir: the jazz, the righteous detective,the 'femme fatale', the innocent woman that needs saving, the 40s/50s styling (many of the women of Twin Peaks have beautiful, symmetrical faces, with features that that resemble actresses of that time). And then throws in these horrifying surrealist scenes, that feel trance- like, that really dig at what is hidden behind the subconscious. Again the duality- everyone in Twin Peaks hides something sinister behind a perfected facade. It sounds cliche, but it works so well. And with Twin Peaks, everything is left to interpretation as things exist on so many layers, that you can't ever stop thinking about it. Well, for me at least.

TRUE DETECTIVE 

Everyone and their cat seemed to up in arms about True Detective, when it aired quite recently. It is quite easy to think of it as Twin Peaks 2.0, or Twin Peaks revisited, as it explores the same theme of 'women in trouble'  being killed under very strange circumstances. Again it has the similar surrealist qualities and motifs that are ever present in Twin Peaks, but  True Detective feels more polished, more mature and more catered for a 2014 audience. True Detective feels dark throughout, soaked in a heavy feeling of melancholy and the foreboding. It follows two detectives, Rust Cohle and Marty Hart and their 17 year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana, who murders women, poses them and places deer antlers and strange motifs on their body. Its so creepy, in fact the entire thing is so creepy, I was hiding behind a pillow most of the time- aghast. Because it felt like 'Laura Palmer' x10. The evil that men do against women...if you will. All the cultish-carcosa vibes truly had me freaking the hell out.

True Detective is not just about crazy men killing young women and children in horrific ways, but a systematic detective story...that really  takes it time to build up clues, trails etc and does this smartly. Essentially the story is about the relationship between two detectives, Rust and Marty, with this marvelous, grand detective hunt serving as a back drop. It is about two men, who are seemingly opposite in character, lose themselves in the isolation of their work, from family, peers, partners etc. Through this grand narrative and their subsequent loneliness they come to understand each other- and become the only ones to truly understand one another. In addition to this I love True Detective because of the 'southern' accents, if anyone knows me well they know I love the southern drawl. True Detective and True Blood (why the true though for all things southern?) has persuaded me I should visit the state of 'Lou-isi-ana' soon. Also the camera work is so amazing, the entire thing is shot so beautifully and I was pleased to  to see the director, Cary Funkunaga, exert the same emotional and brooding style he used for my favourite rendition of Jane Eyre (2011).

THE FALL

The last detective story I want to talk about is The Fall. I have to rather reluctantly admit that I was drawn into watching The Fall because of Jamie Dornan's beautifully crafted beard, more than it being a detective story. I actually didn't have high hopes for the show, because I lumped it into the same category as other British crime dramas which have no appeal for me. I was surprised at how amazing it was - I was fully absorbed. In fact, the rawer, toned down British style of The Fall is what makes it work so well. It felt so realistic. Although set in Belfast, it felt like it could be any UK town . Everything is presented so purely in The Fall, it really gets down to the story and wastes no time with irrelevance. It follows 'Stella Gibson' (played by the same actress who played Scully in the X-files) investigating the murders of two Irish women and 'Paul Spector', the murderer. Both characters are neither elusive, with both being of equal importance.

What really engaged and horrified me was how the lines between normality and the monstrous are presented in the most matter of fact way, with the lines between the two being blurred.  The killer is shown as a multi faceted 'normal' man, married with children. Obviously it is the choice of casting Jamie Dornan as a serial killer is what makes it work so well. There is no 'monster', no lecherous, seemingly evil force guilty of terrible acts. You see a charming, almost boyish and sweet looking man go about his daily activities of work, looking after his children...then murder. It is not operatic, or dramatic and that is what makes it so chilling.

Like Twin Peaks and True Detective, The Fall deals with the murders of women. However, instead of hapless, doomed women, the women of The Fall are everything the murderer isn't. I found this to be interesting, that the murderer chose victims who looked almost identical to each other, professional, highly educated women- women that intimidated the killer. A certain type that made him feel uneasy. In fact, the show deals with the feeling of uneasiness towards women, directed by men, questioning their motives, which is shown both in the murderer and the police/detective force against 'Stella Gibson'. If the women of Twin Peaks and True Detective are voiceless, or at least try attempt to make you feel empathy, then the women of The Fall provide an explanation.

THE SHINING: KUBRICK VS KING

I'm terrible at keeping up with this blog, I know. But I am resolved on being more dedicated to writing more regular posts, so here goes.  I thought I'd write more of a comparison type post, between text and film, seeing as I encountered both versions of The Shining very recently. And lets be honest, I enjoy stories about people slowly succumbing to madness. So what are the differences between the book and film? And which one is better?

JACK TORRANCE:

Jack Torrance, serves as one of the lead characters in the book version of The Shining, but by no means the actual lead, unlike Kubrick's version where Jack is seen as being the main character in the story. Its not really his story, although his version of events feature heavily, but a story which is told through various characters  and the effect The Overlook (the hotel they are staying in) has over them. One of the main differences between the book and film is the stark difference in Jack's character development. From before he enters the hotel to the story's finale.

King's Jack is a more of an 'everyman' dealing with alcohol abuse and his relationship with alcohol is referenced to throughout the novel. In fact the novel dedicates around 100 pages or so to his character prior to the events at The Overlook. The struggling writer, the failing father, the unreliable husband - which I actually found to be very unnecessary.  About 50 pages in, I was getting rather bored with reading about the  very soap like drama of the Torrance family and was tempted to flick through to where I assumed momentum would pick up. I'm not really a Stephen King fan and this is probably one of the reasons why. In spite of this, it added an interesting dimension to his character that the film lacked. A man struggling with his own personal demons, which allows him to be more easily swayed by the dark forces of The Overlook, waiting in the shadows to consume him. Quite literally.

Another notable difference that is worthy of being mentioned, is that Jack isn't necessarily a terrible person who selfishly treats his family poorly. Rather, he is man who attempts to better things for his family and ends up being possessed by the hotel's stronghold over him. He loses control of himself and goes beyond a point of recognition, to both his family and the reader. However, Jack understands how his actions ultimately end up hurting his family and shows true remorse . In the film, Jack is beyond any redemption, he comes across as being a harsh and unforgiving man who has turned his wife into a weak and unstable mess. One look at Jack Nicholson and you know hes crazy. Jack isn't meant to be 'crazy', but a man that falls prey to the forces surrounding him. But in turn that does make his character quite flat. There is no denying that Jack's character in Kubrick's version is darkly entertaining and enjoyable to watch, particularly because of the humorous and exaggerated outbursts of  madness (and crazy eyebrows, those eyebrows). But does that make him any less or more frightening?

SUPERNATURAL FORCES

The Shining is abundant with supernatural forces that torture the mental stability of the Torrance family. Driving Jack to madness, terrorising the five year old Danny and reminding Wendy of her own inadequacies as a mother and wife. The hotel feeds off Danny's shining ability, the ability to be able to perceive things beyond what is visable to most, knowing things before they happen or being able to communicate with others who also posses this ability via telepathy. The hotel is after Danny because of his ability, a fact that the film fails to explain and is the reason why Jack tries to kill his family.

In terms of actual supernatural entities, the book is practically teeming with ghosts unlike the film, which is focused on the more human aspects of the strory i.e a man's journey into madness. This changes the story. (Surprisingly, the creepy, infamous 'twins' that terrorise Danny in the film version do not appear in the book). In the book, the Torrance family understand something evil is at bay before things truly kick off. They know they are living with ghosts and attempt to go about their daily lives until the end of winter. I found that aspect of the book to be rather chilling, which made the film feel a little flat in places. Wendy, Jack's wife, knows something is slowly eating away at her husband and her and her son prepare for it. Film Wendy is a little annoying at times, a perpetually stuck in deer lights Shelley Duvall,  haplessly flapping about.

One aspect of the story I found to be quite weak in the book, in comparison to the film, was the use of a 'croquet mallet' rather than the axe Jack uses to try to kill his family with. The idea of a crazed Jack Torrance rampaging through the corridors of the hotel with a croquet mallet is quite ridiculous.And therefore did not have the same impact as the film.

LOOSE ENDS

The Shining is full of so many loose ends, that neither the book or film manages to resolve fully. Most notably, the main question that arises is how exactly did the hotel manage to acquire so much power/turn into an evil force and why?. King fails to explain this in his novel and I found it rather irritating that this was something that was never really hinted at.

 Kubrick however, takes an interesting but subtle turn in explaining exactly how. You have to really pay attention to every scene to get what exactly hes referring to. At the start, the hotel's manager quickly explains that The Overlook  received many protestations before building began from Native American communities who believed they were building on top of ancient burial grounds. It is a throw away comment with no real importance to the story, but constantly throughout the film ,Native American motifs are present in the hotel. In decoration and even in Wendy's choice of clothing etc. Trusting that Kubrick is an extremely visual and precise man, no detail is left unturned or accounted for (symmetrical harmony is key), this surely hints at something? Or at least provides us with some sort of explanation to think over. The film then ends with Jack's photograph from the 1920s ball, with July 4th clearly captioned underneath. I found this a fascinating observation, bearing in mind that the book's tagline is "Never Overlook the past". Kubrick's take on The Shining has played host to so many strange conspiracies, particularly that Kubrick filmed the 'fake' moon landing of 1969 and this film provides an insight into that very fact. But that is absurd...perhaps.

Which one do I prefer?

I have to say that I actually prefer the film, it is rare occurrence where the film is actually better than the book. I almost always, always prefer the book version to a film but I think its because I am just not a Stephen King fan. He takes so long to get into the story, it starts to feel a little self indulgent and auto-biographical (King was going through similar substance issues as Jack) and therefore the story did not have the same impact. Kubricks' version is thrilling from start to finish. And has a really great musical score. My only problem with the film version is the character of Wendy, Jack's wife. In the book she has a certain depth and intelligence to her, in the film she doesn't get the same treatment.  And that Mr Hallorann (the hotel cook who comes to Wendy and Danny's aid) comes off as menacing and creepy, rather than the sweet and kind old man he is meant to be. In fact, everyone comes across as being menacing and creepy, but it works.

American Horror Story: Coven

As anyone who knows me well can tell you, I have been ranting about American Horror Story for months now and it has turned into a bit of an obsession. After perusing the 'AHS' tags on tumblr and learning that the upcoming season was about witches, I of course had to give it a go...because witches?! And  because I love anything remotely creepy, scary and disturbing which American Horror Story: Coven most definitely is.

Coven starts off by establishing itself as an exploration of  the different kinds of  acts that can be related to 'witchcraft': voodoo, herbology, individual powers, abilities and homage and worship of ancient deities. Set in New Orleans both in the modern day and during its slave era in the 1800's, it cuts to both time periods to explain its story. Coven focuses on a group of women, all of which have strong leads and specific characters within the show and was surprised that unlike the previous seasons Murder House and Asylum (which I was in incessant need of watching alongside Coven to get more of my American Horror Story fix) women were really at the heart of the show. And by heart, I mean all the male characters played a secondary role in moving the story along. Perhaps Coven is a little gender biased, but American Horror Story is an anthology series, with almost all of the same cast being used each season to tell different stories. It was refreshing then, to see this particular story unfold in its own unique and particular way.

  

Coven is essentially  about the relationship that women have between one another: competition, envy, mother-daughter relationships, friendship and solidarity. Coven starts off with women pitting against one another, specifically between those that practice voodoo 'Marie Laveau' the all hailed 'Voodoo Queen' and 'Fiona Goode' the current 'Supreme' of a coven of witches. Racial elements are used to fuel the story and by using flash backs to the 1800s we are able to gain a unique perspective on the story. I was tiring of the divide between the two superpowers, after feeling it was reinforcing the message that women can only be powerful if they hate and rally themselves against eachother, but was very surprised that this was reversed half way through the season. After a shocking amount of spells and voodoo (including an Evil Dead esque scene where one witch chops down a dozen or so zombies sent to destroy her and her coven, with a chainsaw) the opposing sides realise that external threats are more real and dangerous to their existence than eachother and join forces. I feel that Coven is a story about women, without men, or where men play a very minor role.  Coven is important in the way it explores the different dynamics between women and I believe that in television/film women are rarely shown as separate entities, that exist outside of their romantic involvement with men (with Game of Thrones being the only other example I can think of). Here women showcase power, ability and a specific yearning of being the best they can be.

Coven does lose focus somewhere around the middle of the season where it becomes too comedic (purposely) and the storyline becomes rushed and somewhat confusing. With an irrelevant Stevie Nicks sing-along cameo (but it is Stevie Nicks so...can we complain?). Coven starts of brilliantly: sinister, gruesome and engaging and thankfully picks up momentum towards the end, unlike Asylum that stays flawless and emotionally engaging (and absolutely terrifying) from start to finish. Nonetheless, Coven is truly unique and celebratory. The main focus of the show is finding out who will emerge as the new 'Supreme' replacing the old 'Supreme' ( who is played by the amazing Jessica Lange- I seriously love this woman) and  its exploration of power and success is interesting, demanding true sacrifices (gouging of one's eyes?) and selflessness to emerge triumphant and interestingly emphases the particular  idea that everyone pays for their sins and wrongdoings in one way or the other. And very oddly,  if you are nonredeemable in your actions a voodoo deity will place you in hell (which quickly dashed all comedic elements out the window). On a side note, Jessica Lange and Angela Bassett look amazing in their 50s and 60s and I am glad that women of older generations are being given the spotlight they deserve and are celebrated for it. Coven will make you a devoted 'Fleetwood Mac' fan and want to dress in black and wide brimmed hats for the rest of your life.




*Can I just add that the opening credits are worthy of credit too. Possibly the most creepiest but effective thing I have ever seen.




              

JANE EYRE

After much hesitation and deliberation I am starting this blog and what better way than to start off with a mini review of one of my favourties, if not favourite book of all time : Jane Eyre.

I remember vividly turning my nose up at a  Jane Eyre, at age 13/14, after seeing a copy of it lying around a friend's house. She proclaimed it was "boring and hard to read", I looked at it with equal contempt. The cover, which was a painting of a young woman clad in a dark grey dress and wearing a forlorn expression, was hardly inspiring.

I revisited the story with the BBC adaption, but it wasn't until the 2011 adaptation (a beautiful rendition of the novel) that I fully released how compelling the character of 'Jane Eyre' was and needed to understand her in further depth.

I find Jane Eyre inspiring for a number for reasons. But foremost, it is for Jane's deep set moral compass and understanding of herself, that transcends her own worldly desires. She is able to understand what is right and what is wrong for her, even if the decision is heartbreaking to make. Take example of Jane's decision to leave 'Thornfield Hall'. Jane takes up residence at 'Thornfield' as a governess, after leaving the school she both attended as a student and briefly as a teacher. Jane leaves 'Lowood' school a hardened and  emotionally closed off young woman, after learning to reign in her tumultuous feelings of loss, abandonment and anger she endures as a child both in her Aunt's house (where she grows up) and at 'Lowood' school.

At 'Thornfield', she feels that she is able to shed all her former feelings of being insignificant, unwanted and is made to feel included as an equal. She finds contentment both in fellow kindred spirits who also live at 'Thornfield' and of course in the character of 'Mr Rochester' who moves her emotionally. Jane Eyre does have certain romantic and passionate elements, but I feel that often they play a main focus in how people interpret the story. The romantic relationship is integral to the progression of the story and of course to Jane's own growth and I feel that these particular elements, of how they affect her later actions, to be more interesting.

Jane leaves 'Thornfield Hall', after 'Mr Rochester', the master, owner of Thonrfield hall and also Jane's employer, proposes marriage. The two begin a passionate affair which ceases after Jane learns of 'Mr Rochester's' first wife, who has been locked away in the attic in entire secrecy. The theme of the 'Lady in the Attic' can be revisited and explored later, but her discovery sets things into motion to leave 'Thornfield' behind.



After this incident Mr Rochester, who can be likened to a half wild animal, professes his passion and deep love for Jane. And a plan is set in motion for her to stay with him. However what I find inspiring is Jane's understanding of what is right for her, of what is honest and dishonest to her own belief system. Despite being able to still live happily at 'Thornfield Hall' with the people she loves, who have given her employment and kindness, she flees in the middle of the night unsure of where to go and what to do. Although this move is highly dramatic, she is able to identify that what might make her temporarily happy will not satisfy her in the long run. As a result of her actions, Jane suffers degradation (begging, sleeping rough, starvation) and finds her own independence when she finds strangers who take her in. They of course turn out to be her cousins, but she finds friends in them who match her own sentiments, becomes a teacher of her own school and inherits her own fortune at the result of an Uncle's death.

It is only then, on these equal grounds: as a young woman with her own independence, peers of her own choosing and having lived her own life is she able to return to 'Mr Rochester' who has atoned for his own sins.

Another aspect of Jane's character that I find deeply inspiring is her ability to not let past incidents jade or corrupt her. Orphaned as a baby, she is left in the care of her 'Aunt Reed'. A proud, haughty and heartless woman who excludes Jane from being part of the family she grows up in. She is constantly told she "cannot be loved" that she is a "liar" and is often beaten as a result of being told these things. Jane undergoes psychological trauma at being locked in the 'Red Room'. Jane believes the room to be haunted and is certain something unholy occupies the room awaiting to swoop down and take her (Jane revisits this trauma as an adult after being locked in a room in 'Thornfield Hall') and is forced to stay in there night and day as 'punishment' for bad behaviour.  Shortly after this, Jane is carted off to 'Lowood' school, a school that believes in a 'starvation diet' (a bare minimum of food to survive on) to correct its students. Here Jane is also told she is a  "deceiver, a liar", despite being innocent and is told that she is incapable of being loved by anyone. However Jane seeks her own love and triumphs. She finds the acceptance of a teacher and the love of 'Helen Burns' a sickly girl who teaches her to control her anger and frustration.

As an adult, Jane closes this chapter as something that has shaped her into a focused and rational human being. She uses her weaknesses and insecurities to better herself. Instead of growing to be cold and heartless, Jane learns to understand the faults of others and how they may not necessarily be of her own doing. Jane re-visits 'Aunt Reed' at an older age and fully accepts that her Aunt's inability to love her was due to her own callous nature, that even at her death bed she cannot deny. Jane shows kindness to her Aunt who proclaims "even as a baby I could not love you" and instead of hatred, Jane shows pity at her tormented Aunt and forgives her.



Jane Eyre also touches on the subject of the 'Other'. The unknown. It is shown most clearly in 'Mr Rochester's' wife 'Bertha Antoinetta Mason' a woman from 'Spanish Town, Jamaica,'. A Creole woman. Although her ancestry is never delved into, there is much room to suggest that she is of mixed descent. ' Berthas' Mother is described as mad, livid woman. A woman with low standards, an uncontrollable, ghastly woman and 'Bertha' is described as inheriting these same defects. Is it possible that 'Bertha' was never mad, but a woman of her own independence, a woman who rejected the Victorian limitations set on woman in England? 'Bertha's' temper rises and when she is shipped off to England, 'Rochester' is unable to cope with her ripening temper and is therefore locked away in his attic, never to be seen again.

'Bertha' is described as a woman with strong features,  a "creature" with long, matted black hair. But nonetheless was a beauty in her prime. The character of 'Blanche Ingram' plays into this idea of the 'Oriental beauty' with being described as having "olive skin" and "an Oriental eye". She is used to highlight Jane's meekness and plainness, a rival for 'Rochester's' affection. 'Ingram' is no doubt a beauty, but also the kind of beauty that 'Rochester' would be interested in. No doubt Charlotte Bronte was influenced by the work of Byron, in constructing the elaborate character of 'Miss Blanche Ingram'. But again, 'Ingram' is described as being a hideously arrogant young woman, a threat to Jane's own stability. An external threat, brought in from goodness knows where.

What I find interesting about 'Bertha's' character, is how it relates to the shutting away of cultures that were colonised, how anything that did not fit in the status quo imposed was conveniently shut away and disposed of. The relationship between the coloniser and the colonised.'Bertha' can also be explored in the way she mirrors Jane, as an alter ego. 'Bertha' represents all of Jane's 'locked away' anger and frustrations, quietly bubbling away and ready to rise. Anger at her limitations of being a woman subservient to a man who both employs her and loves her, anger at never being his equal, anger at being mistreated as a child and anger at having to endure her uncertain and wavering social position. 'Bertha' visits Jane one night when she is sleeping and rips her wedding veil infront of her (she appears as a ghostly vision, I must admit I was a little terrified at reading this particular scene) and only when 'Bertha' dies after setting 'Thornfield Hall' alight is Jane able to make peace with all aspects of herself.

Jane Eyre serves as a proto-feminist novel, one that explores the nature of women in a restricted Victorian society and touches upon the idea of women holding their own private inner monologues- without the influence of men . Thinking, feeling and deciding for themselves. It was the first of its kind to explore this idea and even in the present day, much of it is relatable and identifiable. Jane Eyre flows beautifully, with rich language and expression. The Gothic horror element is of notice too and is genuinely terrifying at times. All in all Jane Eyre, a novel by 'Charlotte Bronte' is one that cannot be dismissed.

*sidenote: Jane Eyre flows much better and has a more agreeable storyline than Wuthering Heights, if you feel that you are not a fan of the other Bronte sister's work!