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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
2.5 Stars
When I first came upon this novel, I wasn't interested. "Jane Eyre" is one of my favorite novels and I doubted the author had anything to add, especially after being unimpressed with other authors' similar attempts with other revered novels. However, another reader, whom I occasionally follow, highly recommend this book, and I thought to give it a try.
I found the first two-thirds of the novel to be a good attempt at what might have been the upbringing and early life of Edward Rochester. However, once Jane came upon the scene, I almost instantly became uninterested--kind of a strange reaction--so I skipped and skimmed to the end.
When I first came upon this novel, I wasn't interested. "Jane Eyre" is one of my favorite novels and I doubted the author had anything to add, especially after being unimpressed with other authors' similar attempts with other revered novels. However, another reader, whom I occasionally follow, highly recommend this book, and I thought to give it a try.
I found the first two-thirds of the novel to be a good attempt at what might have been the upbringing and early life of Edward Rochester. However, once Jane came upon the scene, I almost instantly became uninterested--kind of a strange reaction--so I skipped and skimmed to the end.
This was a wonderfully written partner book to my beloved Jane Eyre. I admit that usually I do not enjoy reading books about books I love. I usually find that the writing just isn't as good as that in the classic literature, and therefore ruins a good thing. This book, however, is a rare exception. Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester is my favorite tortured literary hero, and I absolutely loved reading his story. The majority of the book delves into his upbringing and gives you the backstory you wish you knew while reading Jane Eyre. Jane does not appear until far into the book, and while I still enjoyed reading my favorite story from a different perspective, it became clear to me when lines from the original novel were used instead of the new modern writing style. While I think the two styles could have been blended better, it did not ruin my enjoyment of the book. I am glad that those beautiful and famous lines from Jane Eyre were still incorporated. Mr. Rochester remains my literary love, and I am happy to say that this book made me love him even more.
Somehow I have not seen a Jane Eyre adaptation on TV and not read Jane Eyre since Junior High School.
So going into this book fresh, was a very nice introduction back into Bronte's Thornfield Hall. And it is Mr. Rochester's time to shine. The reader is presented historical background into why Mr. Rochester is the way he is which is sorely needed I feel. What a great story of being at Blackfield Hall with Mr. Lincoln, receiving a wonderful education and experiencing idyllic romps around the forest with his boyhood pals. There he learns of Jamaica; where his father and brother have run off to while Edward is left behind. But Mr. Lincoln, his teacher, is far more warm and engaging to young "Jam" than his family ever was.
Next to learn about business at a mill, working and living with the Wilson's where he becomes like an adopted son to this childless set of parents. Edward seems destined to always be in his brother, Rowland's shadow, but he trusts his calculating father with his future. When it is finally time for Edward to come of age, travel to Jamaica, run his father's business which was handed to him, and find a wife he is ensnared into machinations that he never thought possible. No wonder a man becomes as cynical as he.
And then we are introduced to Jane Eyre, a governess at Thornfield Hall. Seeing her through Edward's eyes is a perspective I love.
I would rate this a 3.5, but have rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads. I found this an enjoyable read.
I received this through Netgalley for an honest review.
So going into this book fresh, was a very nice introduction back into Bronte's Thornfield Hall. And it is Mr. Rochester's time to shine. The reader is presented historical background into why Mr. Rochester is the way he is which is sorely needed I feel. What a great story of being at Blackfield Hall with Mr. Lincoln, receiving a wonderful education and experiencing idyllic romps around the forest with his boyhood pals. There he learns of Jamaica; where his father and brother have run off to while Edward is left behind. But Mr. Lincoln, his teacher, is far more warm and engaging to young "Jam" than his family ever was.
Next to learn about business at a mill, working and living with the Wilson's where he becomes like an adopted son to this childless set of parents. Edward seems destined to always be in his brother, Rowland's shadow, but he trusts his calculating father with his future. When it is finally time for Edward to come of age, travel to Jamaica, run his father's business which was handed to him, and find a wife he is ensnared into machinations that he never thought possible. No wonder a man becomes as cynical as he.
And then we are introduced to Jane Eyre, a governess at Thornfield Hall. Seeing her through Edward's eyes is a perspective I love.
I would rate this a 3.5, but have rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads. I found this an enjoyable read.
I received this through Netgalley for an honest review.
I thought this book was fab. It took me a while to read but mainly because I've been so busy. It's Jane Eyre but from Mr Rochesters point of view. Which was a refreshing telling of the story. However I did think the section which was about his youth was a bit too long and then the bit where he knew Jane too short. But without the story of his youth it wouldn't make sense so I understand why it's there.
Wonderful insight into one of my favourite literary characters, 'Mr Rochester' delves into his past and the motivations behind some of his seemingly bewildering actions during the course of the events of 'Jane Eyre'. The novel is beautifully written and while Rochester tells his story simply, you can't help but sympathise with him, and feel compassion for his situation. It's not hard to understand why he falls so quickly for Jane - since boyhood he's longed for someone to love him honestly and simply and show him kindness, and that's exactly what she gives him. I'd say he'd more than learned his lesson about judging books by their covers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this backstory for the intriguing character of Edward Fairfax Rochester. I only read Jane Eyre for the first time this past winter, but it became an instant favorite. Author Sarah Shoemaker has done a wonderful job explaining the person of Rochester; he seems much less the mystery now.
A fun take on a classic. Not a "purist" story, but fun and enjoyable.
"If I had turned my back on my father's plans, my journey would have been entirely different, and while I might have fond a satisfactory sort of life much sooner, I would never have found Jane."
(Note: this review will have spoilers only if you have not read Jane Eyre.)
Edward Fairfax Rochester just wants to be happy. For most of his life, he is following orders given to him by his father. As the second son, he will inherit nothing. His elder brother Rowland gets everything - including his beloved childhood home, Thornfield Hall. Edward's father has his entire life planned out for him - from school as a young boy, to working at and managing a wool mill, to university, and finally, to Jamacia to take over the Rochester sugarcane plantation. We follow Mr. Rochester throughout his life, continuing in Paris and eventually back to England - until he meets Jane Eyre. We all know how it ends. But how did we get there? Why is Edward Rochester the cruel and bitter, or at best, jaded man he appears to be when he meets Jane?
We already know Jane's story. This is HIS story.
The beginning chunk of the book shows us Edward in his early schooling days. This was one of my favorite parts of the book, as it really lays out some things about Mr. Rochester; this is where he learns things that will stay with him throughout his life, and makes friends whose wise words and love stay in his heart forever.
"You have to play the cards you were dealt," his dear childhood friend Carrot tells Edward. This line is repeated and is a huge theme in the book, as well as a key to understanding why Mr. Rochester is who he is. He is often dealt a shitty hand (usually on purpose by his father), but he continuously is trying to do the right thing. Morals are very important to Edward, and this is another theme that he struggles with, especially after he falls in love Jane while he is already married. Here I also learned a ton of random facts about philosophy and the history of the British military, which is always a plus. It is evident that a ton of research went into this book, besides just "reading between the lines" of Jane Eyre itself.
The next few parts of the book drag a bit. I wouldn't dare call if boring, because there are a lot of little pieces to this story that eventually add up in the end, or are at least crucial to painting Edward Rochester in a full light. It was just, at times, excruciatingly detailed. Mr. Rochester is a thick novel (not in pages, but in details), and it reads like literature - it should be savored and read slowly, like a rich, chocolate cake. I sometimes got frustrated and distracted because of the slow pace, hence my reluctance in giving a full five stars. (Perhaps this is more my own fault than the book's.)
The most interesting and therefore my favorite part of Edward's tale was meeting Bertha Mason, his eventual wife. When we meet Bertha in Jane Eyre, she is barely a human. She is completely mad - a monster secretly living inside the walls of Thornfield Hall. We can't help but wonder how she got that way. Shoemaker thoroughly examines and explains Bertha's descent into madness, including backstory into all other members of her family in Jamaica. Though Bertha is usually seen as a villain and a hindrance to the love between Jane and Edward, I could not help but pity Miss Mason. Even back in the 1800's, when mental illness was so misunderstood, Jane chimes that is not her fault that Bertha is ill. I applaud Shoemaker for the way she handled such a complicated piece of the story.
As Edward finally returns to Thornfield Hall, after his excursions in Paris and other European cities, I started getting anxious to see the conclusion. The backstory to Rochester's affair with Celine, and then his brief courtship with Blanche Ingram were fairly interesting, but at this point I kept asking "WHERE IS JANE?!".
At one point, during the bits with Gerald Rochester (who, admittedly, I do not even remember from Jane Eyre, oops?), I thought the ending was going to change, that somehow Thornfield would be lost again to Edward, and that he and Jane would run away together. Of course, Shoemaker stays true to the story, but I rather liked feeling doubtful for a bit! If one were to read this without having read Miss Bronte's version, I bet they would be completely shocked at the ending.
The high note of the novel, of course, was watching Edward Rochester fall in love with Jane. In Shoemaker's eyes, it happens a lot sooner than probably most readers would have guessed. It is very close to love at first sight. To me, since I have known and loved Jane for years, his immediate infatuation is totally understandable. While most of the best lines are taken from the original text, I enjoyed the few times Mr. Rochester gets a bit mushy in his thoughts: "As her eyes studied mine, I felt myself falling into a kind of dream. If I could have kept that moment forever, I would have."
To conclude, I very much enjoyed Shoemaker's version of one of my favorite books of all time. I definitely cried at least twice: the first time that bastard sets eyes on Jane, and again, when he finally is able to tell us: "Reader, she married me."
I am sure I shall read it again one day, perhaps after a re-read of Bronte's masterpiece. I urge anyone who loves Jane Eyre to read Mr. Rochester.
*Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review*
See this review (with different photos) and others on my blog, The Inky Labyrinth.
(Note: this review will have spoilers only if you have not read Jane Eyre.)
Edward Fairfax Rochester just wants to be happy. For most of his life, he is following orders given to him by his father. As the second son, he will inherit nothing. His elder brother Rowland gets everything - including his beloved childhood home, Thornfield Hall. Edward's father has his entire life planned out for him - from school as a young boy, to working at and managing a wool mill, to university, and finally, to Jamacia to take over the Rochester sugarcane plantation. We follow Mr. Rochester throughout his life, continuing in Paris and eventually back to England - until he meets Jane Eyre. We all know how it ends. But how did we get there? Why is Edward Rochester the cruel and bitter, or at best, jaded man he appears to be when he meets Jane?
We already know Jane's story. This is HIS story.
The beginning chunk of the book shows us Edward in his early schooling days. This was one of my favorite parts of the book, as it really lays out some things about Mr. Rochester; this is where he learns things that will stay with him throughout his life, and makes friends whose wise words and love stay in his heart forever.
"You have to play the cards you were dealt," his dear childhood friend Carrot tells Edward. This line is repeated and is a huge theme in the book, as well as a key to understanding why Mr. Rochester is who he is. He is often dealt a shitty hand (usually on purpose by his father), but he continuously is trying to do the right thing. Morals are very important to Edward, and this is another theme that he struggles with, especially after he falls in love Jane while he is already married. Here I also learned a ton of random facts about philosophy and the history of the British military, which is always a plus. It is evident that a ton of research went into this book, besides just "reading between the lines" of Jane Eyre itself.
The next few parts of the book drag a bit. I wouldn't dare call if boring, because there are a lot of little pieces to this story that eventually add up in the end, or are at least crucial to painting Edward Rochester in a full light. It was just, at times, excruciatingly detailed. Mr. Rochester is a thick novel (not in pages, but in details), and it reads like literature - it should be savored and read slowly, like a rich, chocolate cake. I sometimes got frustrated and distracted because of the slow pace, hence my reluctance in giving a full five stars. (Perhaps this is more my own fault than the book's.)
The most interesting and therefore my favorite part of Edward's tale was meeting Bertha Mason, his eventual wife. When we meet Bertha in Jane Eyre, she is barely a human. She is completely mad - a monster secretly living inside the walls of Thornfield Hall. We can't help but wonder how she got that way. Shoemaker thoroughly examines and explains Bertha's descent into madness, including backstory into all other members of her family in Jamaica. Though Bertha is usually seen as a villain and a hindrance to the love between Jane and Edward, I could not help but pity Miss Mason. Even back in the 1800's, when mental illness was so misunderstood, Jane chimes that is not her fault that Bertha is ill. I applaud Shoemaker for the way she handled such a complicated piece of the story.
As Edward finally returns to Thornfield Hall, after his excursions in Paris and other European cities, I started getting anxious to see the conclusion. The backstory to Rochester's affair with Celine, and then his brief courtship with Blanche Ingram were fairly interesting, but at this point I kept asking "WHERE IS JANE?!".
At one point, during the bits with Gerald Rochester (who, admittedly, I do not even remember from Jane Eyre, oops?), I thought the ending was going to change, that somehow Thornfield would be lost again to Edward, and that he and Jane would run away together. Of course, Shoemaker stays true to the story, but I rather liked feeling doubtful for a bit! If one were to read this without having read Miss Bronte's version, I bet they would be completely shocked at the ending.
The high note of the novel, of course, was watching Edward Rochester fall in love with Jane. In Shoemaker's eyes, it happens a lot sooner than probably most readers would have guessed. It is very close to love at first sight. To me, since I have known and loved Jane for years, his immediate infatuation is totally understandable. While most of the best lines are taken from the original text, I enjoyed the few times Mr. Rochester gets a bit mushy in his thoughts: "As her eyes studied mine, I felt myself falling into a kind of dream. If I could have kept that moment forever, I would have."
To conclude, I very much enjoyed Shoemaker's version of one of my favorite books of all time. I definitely cried at least twice: the first time that bastard sets eyes on Jane, and again, when he finally is able to tell us: "Reader, she married me."
I am sure I shall read it again one day, perhaps after a re-read of Bronte's masterpiece. I urge anyone who loves Jane Eyre to read Mr. Rochester.
*Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review*
See this review (with different photos) and others on my blog, The Inky Labyrinth.