A different kind of Janeite
Our friends at BrontëBlog found an individual who claims a rather different definition for “Janeite” than that usually heard around these parts.
Laura Joh Rowland’s The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë gets a good review (check ours here) from Entertainment Weekly:
I’m what’s known in literary circles as a ”Jane-ite”— someone who rereads Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre at least once a year — so I was prepared to loathe The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Brontë, which transforms Brontë and her sisters Emily and Anne into 19th-century sleuths investigating the stabbing death of a young governess. But Laura Joh Rowland (Red Chrysanthemum) not only evokes Victorian-era London with a sure hand in this detective novel, she creates a believable Charlotte whose intelligence, stubbornness, and wit recall Jane at every turn. Even more important, the mystery itself is particularly fine.
While we don’t mean to bogart the Jane, has anyone else ever heard that definition?
Thanks to Alert Janeite Amy for the link!
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
I’ve never heard that definition before. It’s kind of ironic, too…I’m sure Charlotte Bronte wouldn’t be happy to have Jane Austen’s fan’s self-proclaimed title go to fans of her own book. It’s funny…My boyfriend loves Jane Eyre & I Jane Austen. Now we both can be Janeites!!!
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I’ve never heard of that definition. Since I also read Jane Eyre at least once a year, this must make me a Jane-ite Janeite? Surely this puts me at celebrity status among “literary circles?”
March 23rd, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Neither my wife nor myself have ever heard of Jane-ite being used this way. Their use doesn’t make much sense, especially considering how it is used with Ms. Austen.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:18 pm
If you Google “Janeite” the whole first page of results are all quite obviously Austenian. I’m just saying.
Also, the first link takes you to a slightly amusing quiz on OKCupid - “Are You a Janeite?” Nothing too taxing, but cute.
March 24th, 2008 at 2:28 am
I have heard of this term, which no offense irks me, as I have never read Jane Eyre…
March 24th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I was hoping to find a good definition of a “Janeite” on the Internets and discovered a lengthy entry on Wikipedia, but no entry on Urban Dictionary. I added one to Urban Dictionary and it’s there now:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=janeite
However, when I clicked on the tag of “Jane Austen” this is what came up:
“A common synonym for “cold heartless b****” usually directed toward authors/poets. This term can be interchangeable for anyone who makes you life a living hell for a time period of two to four weeks. Man, I’m sure glad i got rid of that Jane Austen novel, it almost made me puke.” (profanity edited to prevent spam filtering)
Shocking!
March 24th, 2008 at 9:10 am
I had never heard it used like that either, so it surprised me when I first read it.
On another authentically Janeite news I got my own Jane Austen action figure yesterday! I love it, although I wish they dared make Brontë action figures as well.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
The first clue that this is bogus is the “literary circles” reference. No way. Read a favorite book once a year? I call that an amateur.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
I read this in EW too and reacted with an indignant “WTF??” My boyfriend who was sitting next to me on the couch even asked me what was wrong. I don’t know what this girl is thinking, but I’ve definitely never heard Janeite used in reference to being an avid fan of Jane Eyre. Not that there is anything wrong with being a fan of Jane Eyre. I am a fan myself.
March 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Liz, you should read Jane Eyre. It’s outstanding.
March 25th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Well of course they’re not Janeites—they’re Eyre-Heads. Duh.
No offense to the Eyre fans, I have read and love Jane Eyre too–which I guess makes me an Eyre-Head Janeite
March 25th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Eyre-heads, good one. I’ve read Jane Eyre and understand why it’s a classic, but Mr. R has nothing, nothing on any of our boys. What a selfish jerk. Sorry if I’m offending anyone; I just could never get into him as one of the good guys.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Sue, granted Rochester is no Wentworth (or Darcy, or Brandon, etc..), but when he looks like Toby Stephens, he ain’t half bad
March 25th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Heck yeah.
March 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Maria, NOBODY is a Wentworth. *sigh*
March 26th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Julie P. — Oh I do SO agree. That man sure can write a letter!
March 28th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Exactly what kind of “literary circles” is she talking about? I’m gonna have to go with Sue, here: that just sounds pretty bogus.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I never heard of that definition. Janietes are usually Austen fans… I don’t think she did her research right… I have the book Jane Eyre, i just haven’t read it yet… i hear its good but i don’t think better than any Austen book
March 30th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Never heard of that definition. Janietes are usually Austen fans… I don’t think she did her research right… I have the book Jane Eyre, i just haven’t read it yet… i hear its good but i don’t think better than any Austen book