I just have to put a word in here for anyone who may have missed this. The BBC has done a new miniseries adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre", and the first installment aired on PBS (in the States) last week. (I believe it aired in the UK last October). I started watching rather casually, because the book has always been one of my favorites, though I haven't read it in years. Well, all I can say is, by the end of the first two hours I was RIVETED to the screen, and almost threw something at the TV when they said "Tune in next week for Part 2!" My inner child was yelling, "But I don't WANNA wait!"

They cast a relative newcomer (Ruth Wilson) as Jane, and she (IMHO) is fantastic. And Toby Stephens' Mr. Rochester, again in my humble opinion, is truly amazing (although arguably too handsome for the role, he endows it with such depth that I'll overlook it!). The chemistry between the two of them, and how it is played out, was just wonderful, and I'm all aflutter waiting for the denouement.

The funniest thing about it is that my roommate has been gone all week, and when I saw her the other night I casually mentioned that I'd watched it, and she said, "Oh my God, I did too, and I can't stop thinking about it!" It transpired that we had both loved it, had both picked up the book again to reread it, and had been lying in bed reading at the same pace at the same time! I also had a customer at work who had the same reaction (though she's never read the book).

Anyway, I know I'm being a little obsessive (moi?) but anyone who is a fan of the book or of Masterpiece Theatre should definitely make a point to watch this (and try to get hold of the first half if you can). It is really worth it. I'm going to have to get the DVD, as I did miss the first few minutes (though all I really want to do is watch all the Jane/Rochester scenes again...;))

This has been a public service announcement *grin*.

Cheers,

Molly