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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Finishing off teaching this one tomorrow. It gets richer every time I read it. A beautiful novel
challenging
dark
Christmas book for September.
A clever story constructed around Jane Eyre’s Bertha. A bit confusing at the beginning. I enjoyed the 3rd part the best.
A clever story constructed around Jane Eyre’s Bertha. A bit confusing at the beginning. I enjoyed the 3rd part the best.
3.5 stars.
this style of writing was difficult. thoughts and scenes moved so fast that it was disorienting, but i think that may have been the point seeing as the character of 'bertha mason' is inextricably tied to the idea of insanity (and/or female hysteria...). i also was not expecting to get rochester's pov!
when we were reading jane eyre in my british literature course, there seemed to be a very polarized opinion of rochester. many of the naysayers had read this novel first. i understand their point of view more now, obviously, but i still find it interesting because this book isn't just about villainizing him. you get to see them both unravel into different forms of insanity. the complexity of antoinette's backstory is compelling, if a little short. but it fits so seamlessly into brontë's figure at the end--all those dots connect cleanly. rochester's pov was conversely equally interesting because of how different it is from the original. as a young man in uncertain and unfamiliar places, he deals with paranoia and gets caught up in the hurricane of these people's well-established, dramatic lives. the fear of others mixed with his pride turns him cruel, which i guess isn't really that far from the mature version jane eyre sees locking away a woman to whom he is married. in my opinion, unwarranted rage, complete indifference, and planning 'vengeance' is insanity too. getting to see the process of him ending up that bitter man is fun, though.
this style of writing was difficult. thoughts and scenes moved so fast that it was disorienting, but i think that may have been the point seeing as the character of 'bertha mason' is inextricably tied to the idea of insanity (and/or female hysteria...). i also was not expecting to get rochester's pov!
when we were reading jane eyre in my british literature course, there seemed to be a very polarized opinion of rochester. many of the naysayers had read this novel first. i understand their point of view more now, obviously, but i still find it interesting because this book isn't just about villainizing him. you get to see them both unravel into different forms of insanity. the complexity of antoinette's backstory is compelling, if a little short. but it fits so seamlessly into brontë's figure at the end--all those dots connect cleanly. rochester's pov was conversely equally interesting because of how different it is from the original. as a young man in uncertain and unfamiliar places, he deals with paranoia and gets caught up in the hurricane of these people's well-established, dramatic lives. the fear of others mixed with his pride turns him cruel, which i guess isn't really that far from the mature version jane eyre sees locking away a woman to whom he is married. in my opinion, unwarranted rage, complete indifference, and planning 'vengeance' is insanity too. getting to see the process of him ending up that bitter man is fun, though.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have been really trying to put my finger on what made this book so great for me and I’ve come to the conclusion that it cannot be defined. The writing is perfect and has an unsettling, dreamlike quality. I loved the structure of the story. It’s just really good.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well-written, and fascinating to read. Lowkey a bit confusing (but that’s on me for not having read Jane Eyre prior to this), but I’m excited to (finally) read Jane Eyre with this in the back of my mind!
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
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