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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Does a good job borrowing the style of Charlotte Bronte. The biggest flaw is in making too may excuses for Mr. Rochester.
I really enjoyed all the Rochester back story, but the books inventiveness, & the clear characterization of Rochester, sort of faltered when we got to the actual Jane Eyre part, somewhat understandably.
I really enjoyed this novel. My favorite part of was Part 1 of the book, the earliest years of Rochester's life. The writing was so descriptive and I thought Sarah Shoemaker did an excellent job portraying Rochester and the many reasons why he is the way he is. I really loathed his father and brother - their behavior was appalling, but explained why he seemed to choose the wrong women in his life (prior to meeting Jane).
I need to go and re-read Jane Eyre now!
***I won this book in a GR giveaway in exchange for a review*****
I need to go and re-read Jane Eyre now!
***I won this book in a GR giveaway in exchange for a review*****
Great book for any fan of Jae Eyre!!!!!! despite its size its a quick read! the pacing is a little inconsistent but the story more than makes up for it
I call this book an instant classic. Written as if it were now 150 yrs ago or something, this book takes you through the entire life of Mr Edward Rochester, the love interest of Jane Eyre. Loved it sooo much! Very highly recommend!
Loved this backstory to Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester! I felt quite plausible and stayed true to the characters in the original.
4.5 stars
This book re-imagines the life of Edward Fairfax Rochester, the brooding love interest of Jane Eyre. I was interested to read this, because honestly, Rochester has never been my favorite male character. I could see why Jane loves him, but I find it a little hard to forgive some of the ways that he treats her. But you know, at least he's not St. John Rivers, who sucks, so I'm ok with it at the end of the day--he's humbled, and as you probably know, Reader, she marries him.
Jane Eyre is my favorite book ever. The plot is fascinating and complex, but what makes it truly brilliant is how well Bronte nails the psychological aspects of her characters. It's so great. So anyone attempting to wade into Eyre-adjacent territory has a tough task ahead of them.
I was happily surprised with how well the author handled this challenge. Because we don't meet Rochester in Jane Eyre until he is in his late 30s, Shoemaker had a lot of backstory to play with. To me, this was the most interesting part of the book--finding out what Rochester may have been up to for the first 37 years of his life, and how that made him into the oft-maddening, passionate person he became. Shoemaker gives him an interesting, believable backstory, and one that perfectly maps on to the events of Jane Eyre. She even manages to come up with an attic-related twist of her own that opens some interesting possibilities.
If you like Jane Eyre, I very much recommend this one (you need to have read Jane Eyre first though). Shoemaker doesn't have quite the chops to write psychology as Bronte (who does?), but this is still well-imagined, and well-executed. I feel like I need to read "Wide Sargasso Sea" so that I can have my "Year of Eyre" (I re-read JE in January) completed with two competing imaginings of the events of the book and beyond.
This book re-imagines the life of Edward Fairfax Rochester, the brooding love interest of Jane Eyre. I was interested to read this, because honestly, Rochester has never been my favorite male character. I could see why Jane loves him, but I find it a little hard to forgive some of the ways that he treats her. But you know, at least he's not St. John Rivers, who sucks, so I'm ok with it at the end of the day--he's humbled, and as you probably know, Reader, she marries him.
Jane Eyre is my favorite book ever. The plot is fascinating and complex, but what makes it truly brilliant is how well Bronte nails the psychological aspects of her characters. It's so great. So anyone attempting to wade into Eyre-adjacent territory has a tough task ahead of them.
I was happily surprised with how well the author handled this challenge. Because we don't meet Rochester in Jane Eyre until he is in his late 30s, Shoemaker had a lot of backstory to play with. To me, this was the most interesting part of the book--finding out what Rochester may have been up to for the first 37 years of his life, and how that made him into the oft-maddening, passionate person he became. Shoemaker gives him an interesting, believable backstory, and one that perfectly maps on to the events of Jane Eyre. She even manages to come up with an attic-related twist of her own that opens some interesting possibilities.
If you like Jane Eyre, I very much recommend this one (you need to have read Jane Eyre first though). Shoemaker doesn't have quite the chops to write psychology as Bronte (who does?), but this is still well-imagined, and well-executed. I feel like I need to read "Wide Sargasso Sea" so that I can have my "Year of Eyre" (I re-read JE in January) completed with two competing imaginings of the events of the book and beyond.
I kept picking up and putting down the book; as an avid “Janian”, I wasn’t sure if this would come across as a piece of its own or fanfiction. I am happy to say that I hunkered down and really read, and it was simply lovely.
We think we know Edward Rochester from his few monologues in the middle of “Jane Eyre”, but perhaps we do not know him at all......
I’m so glad I stuck with this!
We think we know Edward Rochester from his few monologues in the middle of “Jane Eyre”, but perhaps we do not know him at all......
I’m so glad I stuck with this!
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For fans of 'Jane Eyre' may have wondered what is Rochester's background and how did he end up with a psychotic wife locked up in his attic, author Sarah Shoemaker provides a plausible and thought-provoking, if somewhat problematic, backstory in this companion novel.
The narrative started strong, and the writing is excellent. It was fun and engaging, and Rochester seemed like a sincere, good-hearted and generally likeable guy thrust via deceit into circumstances not of his choosing. My regard for him was sympathetic until his behavior toward Jane evolved suddenly into something uncomfortable and manipulative. He was literally gaslighting her. Moreover, I was not convinced of either's love for the other with what little interaction was presented in the text. Rochester's affections for Jane seem to come abruptly out of nowhere — he concluded they are perfectly suited for one another when they were but barely acquainted, which had me considering that Edward too may have been afflicted with a touch of crazy. It's been several decades since I read 'Jane Eyre,' so perhaps there is a similar lack of buildup and the same criticism would apply. There are a number of red flags when viewed through a 21st-century lens. The one thing Rochester and Jane did have in common was a lifelong lack of a loving family and both were cruelly starved for affection. Readers would normally be rooting for this kind of connection, but their relationship as presented didn't quite sit right with me.
The narrative started strong, and the writing is excellent. It was fun and engaging, and Rochester seemed like a sincere, good-hearted and generally likeable guy thrust via deceit into circumstances not of his choosing. My regard for him was sympathetic until his behavior toward Jane evolved suddenly into something uncomfortable and manipulative. He was literally gaslighting her. Moreover, I was not convinced of either's love for the other with what little interaction was presented in the text. Rochester's affections for Jane seem to come abruptly out of nowhere — he concluded they are perfectly suited for one another when they were but barely acquainted, which had me considering that Edward too may have been afflicted with a touch of crazy. It's been several decades since I read 'Jane Eyre,' so perhaps there is a similar lack of buildup and the same criticism would apply. There are a number of red flags when viewed through a 21st-century lens. The one thing Rochester and Jane did have in common was a lifelong lack of a loving family and both were cruelly starved for affection. Readers would normally be rooting for this kind of connection, but their relationship as presented didn't quite sit right with me.
I get especially excited over a 400+ page novel. If it's captivating, I get to have much more of it, I don't have to let it go so soon. The synopsis of Mr. Rochester sounded intriguing and different, so I looked forward to starting this book by Sarah Shoemaker.
Always an avid reader of modern literature, I had never developed an interest in historical fiction, so I haven't read Jane Eyre, the classic always on the top of required reading lists. My interest in Victorian literature didn't come until recently when I started The Sisters of Versailles series.
What stands out about Edward throughout is how bound by loyalty and duty he is. He, much to my annoyance, remained a dutiful son and son-in-law in spite of the downright deception besieged upon him. I wondered when he would start making his own decisions and be his own man.
My full review is on: http://booksandbrands.blogspot.ca/2017/06/mr-rochester.html
Always an avid reader of modern literature, I had never developed an interest in historical fiction, so I haven't read Jane Eyre, the classic always on the top of required reading lists. My interest in Victorian literature didn't come until recently when I started The Sisters of Versailles series.
What stands out about Edward throughout is how bound by loyalty and duty he is. He, much to my annoyance, remained a dutiful son and son-in-law in spite of the downright deception besieged upon him. I wondered when he would start making his own decisions and be his own man.
My full review is on: http://booksandbrands.blogspot.ca/2017/06/mr-rochester.html