Gothic or Romance?

[Desdemona]

I agree with the Jane Eyre comments, but the great setting, the mad woman in the attic, which is his wife, and prevents them from winning their true love, is what makes it treat. A whole lot of obstacles, and yet love wins through in the end.

And I remember also reading someone's opinion that it is, in a way, more interesting to see someone fall in love with a man everyone deems a 'monster' and see the redeeming features of the hero, as the heroine discovers them, than some perfect, handsome playboy kind of hero.

Sort of beauty and the beast, but with more depth, because as you also say, sex is not love, love is overcoming the obstacles to be together no matter what.

And the characters being true to themselves. Jane is devout, so even though they are clearly hot for each other, she leaves him when she sees she has been duped, but does not jump at he next offer of marriage, because it is not real love.

There is also the aspect of karma--Rochester gets his wish in the end, but it comes with a price. But he is willing to pay it to find true love.

So the setting is key, the romance is also if the path of them falling in love is shown, and the love is deep enough to endure obstacles.

Rebecca by Du Maurier is a spin on Jane Eyre, of course, with the twist of him trying to murder his wife. He is guilty, but she still sticks by him. Then they find out the whole story, and he is not quite so guilty. It is not a great book, but it is intriguing and certainly atmospheric.

Great response. You basically summarized what I love about Jane Eyre, with much better words than my own. Thank you!