aiyam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Colonisation, Addiction, Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Suicide
atamano's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Suicide
calamitywindpetal's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Racism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Incest, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia, War, Sexual content, and Drug use
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While I would not quite call Jane Eyre a good romp, this retelling certainly is. It's weird and ridiculous and inventive and hilarious and absolutely wonderful. (Subsequent updates to this review will be added at the bottom.)
For anyone frustrated by Miss Eyre's often passive or submissive nature, perhaps Miss Steele will be more your style. She kills those who wrong her, at any rate! Faye also managed to take the best parts of Rochester and make them rather more charming and much more endearing in Charles Thornfield's form.
Despite the non historical nature of it, Jane is quite free to do as she pleases, galavanting about London, writing, or picking her own way through the world. Unlike in many romantic novels contemporary to the original publication of Jane Eyre (which is a book I love, just to be clear), it is quite obvious Jane is throwing herself happily into this, not begrudgingly or because of monetary necessity. She is her own woman and her own character who will do as she pleases - much to the joy of the readers.
Also, to my great delight, this novel tackled non-westernism in such a loving light. Although the Thornfield household is Indian and much distrusted or disliked by the English, no slurs are thrown about and the household is treated with love and respect through the narrative.
And I won't spoil it, but there's at least one lesbian/bisexual character and another who I feel in my heart is definitely asexual.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was such a great time to read, and it even kept my spirits up while I stressed and struggled before taking the GRE. (I did well, in case you're curious. No need to take it again!) If it makes you want to read it any more, I would be happy to thank this book, at least in a small part, for my success.
EDIT: Read #2
I've now read this book for a SECOND time in less than 8 months and added it to my Top 10 list. I'm also adding a content warning, because I do that now. It's kind of a long one, but please don't be put off - everything is handled SO tastefully
CW: Suicide (mentioned), child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, miscarriage, sexual assault/harassment, assault of a minor
Now that I've read Jane Eyre more recently as well, I applaud Faye for the highly impressive way she managed to capture and subdue the pacing of the original novel.
For anyone frustrated by Miss Eyre's often passive or submissive nature, perhaps Miss Steele will be more your style. She kills those who wrong her, at any rate! Faye also managed to take the best parts of Rochester and make them rather more charming and much more endearing in Charles Thornfield's form.
Despite the non historical nature of it, Jane is quite free to do as she pleases, galavanting about London, writing, or picking her own way through the world. Unlike in many romantic novels contemporary to the original publication of Jane Eyre (which is a book I love, just to be clear), it is quite obvious Jane is throwing herself happily into this, not begrudgingly or because of monetary necessity. She is her own woman and her own character who will do as she pleases - much to the joy of the readers.
Also, to my great delight, this novel tackled non-westernism in such a loving light. Although the Thornfield household is Indian and much distrusted or disliked by the English, no slurs are thrown about and the household is treated with love and respect through the narrative.
And I won't spoil it, but there's at least one lesbian/bisexual character and another who I feel in my heart is definitely asexual.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. It was such a great time to read, and it even kept my spirits up while I stressed and struggled before taking the GRE. (I did well, in case you're curious. No need to take it again!) If it makes you want to read it any more, I would be happy to thank this book, at least in a small part, for my success.
EDIT: Read #2
I've now read this book for a SECOND time in less than 8 months and added it to my Top 10 list. I'm also adding a content warning, because I do that now. It's kind of a long one, but please don't be put off - everything is handled SO tastefully
CW: Suicide (mentioned), child abuse/neglect, spousal abuse, miscarriage, sexual assault/harassment, assault of a minor
Now that I've read Jane Eyre more recently as well, I applaud Faye for the highly impressive way she managed to capture and subdue the pacing of the original novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Kidnapping
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