cepbreed's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Justice,' she said. 'I've heard that word. It's a cold word. I tried it out,' she said, still speaking in a low voice. 'I wrote it down. I wrote it down several times and always it looked like a damn cold lie to me. There is no justice."
I've been meaning to read this book for awhile and my English course focusing on what houses represent in literature was the perfect excuse to finally get down to doing it. By excuse I mean I had to, but whatever LOL. As a disclaimer that rushed element might have influenced my reading experience, but I was slightly disappointed by this. I ADORED Jane Eyre and I was always so intrigued by Bertha Mason. I had this idea in my head that she was a Creole woman, but also a woman of color. I may have just invented that detail in my head though. I just thought any themes connected to her status as a woman of color would've reflected wonderfully with Heathcliff's status as not quite white enough in Wuthering Heights. That said, I loved the way Jean Rhys crafted the existence of Antoinette as a disgraced white woman in Jamaica. Rhys never shied away from the uncomfortable and I will carry that scene where the family is attempting to get into their carriage with me forever. I enjoyed books one and three, not so much book two. However, that is probably just a reflection of my hatred for Mr. Rochester. I hated him at the end of Jane Eyre and feared terribly that some parts of this book would attempt to redeem him (is it even redemption if its happening in the past?). Thank goodness I did not have to endure any sort of placating towards Rochester. My hate was augmented tenfold and the only thing bringing me a semblance of peace is the fact that he is disfigured by the end of Jane Eyre (lets just ignore that Jane actually returns to him...).
THE ENDING THOUGH UGHHH Knowing what comes next is just. so. good.
Song:
- tolerate it - Taylor Swift
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Classism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Abandonment, Colonisation, Confinement, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcoholism
edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Mental illness, Slavery, Classism, and Confinement
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Animal death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Gaslighting
elisabethshanahan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent, Slavery, Child death, and Forced institutionalization
mercedes's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Wow, this book gets a lot of hate! I can sort of understand. Coming straight from <i>Jane Eyre</i> to this, there is certainly a stark contrast in the writing styles and ambience of the story, and at points I kept having to remind myself it was taking place in the early 19th century. However, the writing itself felt so unique - it's at its strongest when describing the luxuriant, tropical surroundings of Coulibri and Massacre.
Some common criticisms I see popping up in most negative reviews of this book is that it is confusing and makes no sense, and I have to say that this was not my personal experience with the book. I didn't think it was that difficult to follow along with the story, and while the flow of the book is definitely not typical, it works for a novel about two very lost characters. I don't think I could have asked for more from this book and it works excellently for what it is.
(Minor spoilers for Wide Sargasso Sea, spoilers for Jane Eyre)
Some common criticisms I see popping up in most negative reviews of this book is that it is confusing and makes no sense, and I have to say that this was not my personal experience with the book. I didn't think it was that difficult to follow along with the story, and while the flow of the book is definitely not typical, it works for a novel about two very lost characters. I don't think I could have asked for more from this book and it works excellently for what it is.
(Minor spoilers for Wide Sargasso Sea, spoilers for Jane Eyre)
Spoiler
One aspect I really loved was the call-back to the parrot at Coulibri. Just as the parrot had its wings clipped by Antoinette's stepfather, so did Antoinette have her wings clipped by Rochester - and both have the same fate, falling to their death surrounded by flames. The fire at Coulibri really affected me when I was reading the book and the fact that it was prophesising Antoinette's own fate made it all the more striking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Animal death
Moderate: Rape
jai_ls's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Colonisation, Mental illness, and Animal cruelty
amy_moss's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Most of the bad reviews about this book are that it is too complicated and is hard to understand. Although this is true and on my first reading I found myself not understanding it or even missing huge plot points.
However, after reading the book again, I love it!! I found myself intertwined in the relationships and the tension created. Even the imagery in the book is amazing with recurring symbols which speak volumes about the plot which makes me love it even more!
(Although I would warn any mr Rochester fans against reading it)
However, after reading the book again, I love it!! I found myself intertwined in the relationships and the tension created. Even the imagery in the book is amazing with recurring symbols which speak volumes about the plot which makes me love it even more!
(Although I would warn any mr Rochester fans against reading it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Mental illness, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Classism, Death of parent, Colonisation, Racism, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
morenowagain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Racism, Colonisation, Racial slurs, and Confinement
felicityebhaslin's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
4.7 stars rounded up
Confession time: I’ve never actually read Jane Eyre. I don’t even know what happens. It’s just one of those books that I’ve ALWAYS wanted to read but every time I want to pick it up, I find myself committed to another book first - that one laid on my bedside table with a bookmark half-way through, an assigned reading due this week, or I’m just in the mood for something short and snappy. So, putting my shame of being a pathetic excuse for an English Lit student aside, I’m in the position to contribute living, breathing evidence to the discourse around this book. You DON’T need to have read JE to understand, enjoy and relish this book.
Goodreads reviews for Jean Rhys’s ‘literary sensation’ seem to either be 4-5 stars or 1 star, little in-between. The 1-star-reviews say that without reading JE, they wouldn’t have understood it. Well, here I sit; looks like it’s back to the drawing board. Entitled as they may be to their opinions, their reasoning feels like a cop-out for saying they just didn’t like the book.
I acknowledge the themes of this novel can be COMPLEX. Our main character, Antoinette (later known as Bertha Mason), has a family tree so chaotic I still don’t fully understand it by the end. I wouldn’t blame anyone for struggling to get their head around some of the things in this book, and for that I have to knock off the 0.3 stars. However, everything else this book brings to the table makes up for my minutes of head-scratching.
Themes (apparently suppressed in JE) of race, isolation and hatred weave a disturbing, pitiful tale. What caused her insanity? It’s not as simple as genetics. Does anyone deserve our pity? Or should we feel sorry for them all?
Will definitely reread (hopefully having read JE this time
Confession time: I’ve never actually read Jane Eyre. I don’t even know what happens. It’s just one of those books that I’ve ALWAYS wanted to read but every time I want to pick it up, I find myself committed to another book first - that one laid on my bedside table with a bookmark half-way through, an assigned reading due this week, or I’m just in the mood for something short and snappy. So, putting my shame of being a pathetic excuse for an English Lit student aside, I’m in the position to contribute living, breathing evidence to the discourse around this book. You DON’T need to have read JE to understand, enjoy and relish this book.
Goodreads reviews for Jean Rhys’s ‘literary sensation’ seem to either be 4-5 stars or 1 star, little in-between. The 1-star-reviews say that without reading JE, they wouldn’t have understood it. Well, here I sit; looks like it’s back to the drawing board. Entitled as they may be to their opinions, their reasoning feels like a cop-out for saying they just didn’t like the book.
I acknowledge the themes of this novel can be COMPLEX. Our main character, Antoinette (later known as Bertha Mason), has a family tree so chaotic I still don’t fully understand it by the end. I wouldn’t blame anyone for struggling to get their head around some of the things in this book, and for that I have to knock off the 0.3 stars. However, everything else this book brings to the table makes up for my minutes of head-scratching.
Themes (apparently suppressed in JE) of race, isolation and hatred weave a disturbing, pitiful tale. What caused her insanity? It’s not as simple as genetics. Does anyone deserve our pity? Or should we feel sorry for them all?
Will definitely reread (hopefully having read JE this time
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Toxic relationship, Slavery, Mental illness, and Child death
asmallgremlin's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well…I hate Rochester now
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racism, Racial slurs, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Colonisation
bethsicle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Colonisation, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Child death