Getting books that give pointers as to the various themes and summaries was very helpful in the course of my studies and this one on Jane Eyre helped me go beyond the book itself. I had read the novel over and over again, ad nauseam, but this critical edition helped me focus on specific chapters and quick summaries, helped me have a general idea without having to resort to the book all the time. It doesn't prevent you from searching specifically for further reading on specific postcolonial or gender issues, as it is just that: a book that gives you pointers. I'd recommend it for A/AS students, but, if used at undergraduate level, this book is certainly not enough to get you through essays, so you really need to go further in the bibliographical search! ( )