Here's why:
* No official bestseller lists existed: The concept of a "bestseller" as we know it today didn't exist in the 19th century. There were no official, public lists tracking sales numbers.
* Limited publishing and distribution: Printing and distribution were significantly different in the 1840s. Books were more expensive and less widely available than today.
* No sales figures recorded: While we know *Jane Eyre* was well-received critically and enjoyed a successful run, we don't have precise sales figures from that era.
However, we can say:
* It was commercially successful: The novel sold well enough to be reprinted several times, which was a sign of success back then.
* It garnered critical acclaim: *Jane Eyre* was widely praised by literary critics and became a literary sensation in its time.
* It achieved enduring popularity: *Jane Eyre* continues to be read and enjoyed by people around the world, making it one of the most famous and influential novels in English literature.
So, while we can't definitively call it a "bestseller" by today's standards, it was undoubtedly a successful and influential novel that continues to resonate with readers today.