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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
"Reader, she married me."
If you ever wondered about the quiet, rugged, rough-around-the-edges Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester, here is your chance to learn. For fans of Jane Eyre, this book definitely doesn't disappoint.
We follow Rochester's life story, from his young childhood with no memories of his deceased mother, the way his elder brother treated him, and how distant and cold his father was. Raised mostly away from Thornfield Hall, young Edward must learn how to navigate a world without the love and affection he craves. When he does find a nice brotherhood with Touch and Carrot, a relatively caring home with Mr. Lincoln as his tutor, both of the boys eventually leave and meet their own ends. He is set adrift again, tossed over to Mr. Wilson, the owner of a mill, meant to learn the ins and out of manufacturing as the Industrial Revolution rips across the countryside and creates new issues, new social classes in England.
From the mill, a teenage Edward is summoned by his father to continue learning business and trade so he can eventually set sail for Jamaica. It is in Jamaica that his father's - and brother's - ultimate deceit and betrayal are made known, but Edward does not yet realize the entire extent of it until much, much later in his life.
If you've read Jane Eyre, you know pretty well what happens in Jamaica. Shoemaker does a good job of not only portraying industrializing England but also the issues with the sugar trade in the Caribbean. Rochester is constantly bombarded with the legacy of his father there, and eventually, the deal that his father made with the Masons. And you know all that happens next, at least, through what Mr. Rochester eventually narrates to Jane Eyre in the original book.
Rochesters's years in Europe, where he meets the seductive Celine Varens and eventually takes up the guardianship of Adele, is related, and as the years progress, Rochester grows into his hardened self, as he remarks, "Through the angry wound of Celine's betrayal never fully healed, as time went on and my bed grew cold I did occasionally find in my travels a woman who at first I thought could be a partner for me, but each time I was disappointed." So, he was being a player on the continent, but he was never fully happy with any of them.
But then, enter Jane. Dear Jane.
This is perhaps the quickest part of the book, probably because many readers will already be familiar with the banter, conversation, and events of Rochester's life once Jane arrives. This is good thing - instead of rehashing the novel endlessly, Shoemaker picks out the critical scenes and relates Rochester's internal feelings on the subject. She tells why he went back into the house during the major fire instead of fully escaping when he had the chance.
"But such is the life of an object; it is the human connections that are irreplaceable, and I had come, tonight, to claim mine" says Rochester. There is an instance when he might lose his inheritance to an interloper that can "prove" that Bertha was married to his elder brother, Rowland. That he is a legit heir. This was a surprising part, but Rochester was willing to walk away from Thornfield if it meant securing Jane instead. But, in the end, his goodness wins out.
Mr. Rochester is a story of tragedies and betrayals, of course. His life story, as told in pieces in Jane Eyre, assured readers of that. He walked into things blindly, perhaps naively, and he realizes he has hardened his heart against feelings until Jane shows up. He opens his heart again, and I know there are two camps - those who sympathize with Bertha and those who sympathize with Rochester - but after reading this, I think it's possible to feel for both of them. Bertha didn't ask for her inheritance of madness, nor being seduced by Rowland Rochester, nor having her child taken away. She didn't ask to be sold off so she was someone else's burden. But Edward believed too well of his father, brother, and the Masons, and, having lost all his friends to death, all his good connections in some way or another, he held on to the hope that his wife might be the companion he desired. He does become a bit of a ne'er-do-well in Europe, but by the time Miss Ingram arrives on the scene, he knows well enough that the way he's gone about this is wrong.
It's a good read, especially if you're looking for another voice to Jane Eyre. It's true enough to the time period, along with the language. Some of the details seemed to be repetitive at times,
If you ever wondered about the quiet, rugged, rough-around-the-edges Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester, here is your chance to learn. For fans of Jane Eyre, this book definitely doesn't disappoint.
We follow Rochester's life story, from his young childhood with no memories of his deceased mother, the way his elder brother treated him, and how distant and cold his father was. Raised mostly away from Thornfield Hall, young Edward must learn how to navigate a world without the love and affection he craves. When he does find a nice brotherhood with Touch and Carrot, a relatively caring home with Mr. Lincoln as his tutor, both of the boys eventually leave and meet their own ends. He is set adrift again, tossed over to Mr. Wilson, the owner of a mill, meant to learn the ins and out of manufacturing as the Industrial Revolution rips across the countryside and creates new issues, new social classes in England.
From the mill, a teenage Edward is summoned by his father to continue learning business and trade so he can eventually set sail for Jamaica. It is in Jamaica that his father's - and brother's - ultimate deceit and betrayal are made known, but Edward does not yet realize the entire extent of it until much, much later in his life.
If you've read Jane Eyre, you know pretty well what happens in Jamaica. Shoemaker does a good job of not only portraying industrializing England but also the issues with the sugar trade in the Caribbean. Rochester is constantly bombarded with the legacy of his father there, and eventually, the deal that his father made with the Masons. And you know all that happens next, at least, through what Mr. Rochester eventually narrates to Jane Eyre in the original book.
Rochesters's years in Europe, where he meets the seductive Celine Varens and eventually takes up the guardianship of Adele, is related, and as the years progress, Rochester grows into his hardened self, as he remarks, "Through the angry wound of Celine's betrayal never fully healed, as time went on and my bed grew cold I did occasionally find in my travels a woman who at first I thought could be a partner for me, but each time I was disappointed." So, he was being a player on the continent, but he was never fully happy with any of them.
But then, enter Jane. Dear Jane.
This is perhaps the quickest part of the book, probably because many readers will already be familiar with the banter, conversation, and events of Rochester's life once Jane arrives. This is good thing - instead of rehashing the novel endlessly, Shoemaker picks out the critical scenes and relates Rochester's internal feelings on the subject. She tells why he went back into the house during the major fire instead of fully escaping when he had the chance.
"But such is the life of an object; it is the human connections that are irreplaceable, and I had come, tonight, to claim mine" says Rochester. There is an instance when he might lose his inheritance to an interloper that can "prove" that Bertha was married to his elder brother, Rowland. That he is a legit heir. This was a surprising part, but Rochester was willing to walk away from Thornfield if it meant securing Jane instead. But, in the end, his goodness wins out.
Mr. Rochester is a story of tragedies and betrayals, of course. His life story, as told in pieces in Jane Eyre, assured readers of that. He walked into things blindly, perhaps naively, and he realizes he has hardened his heart against feelings until Jane shows up. He opens his heart again, and I know there are two camps - those who sympathize with Bertha and those who sympathize with Rochester - but after reading this, I think it's possible to feel for both of them. Bertha didn't ask for her inheritance of madness, nor being seduced by Rowland Rochester, nor having her child taken away. She didn't ask to be sold off so she was someone else's burden. But Edward believed too well of his father, brother, and the Masons, and, having lost all his friends to death, all his good connections in some way or another, he held on to the hope that his wife might be the companion he desired. He does become a bit of a ne'er-do-well in Europe, but by the time Miss Ingram arrives on the scene, he knows well enough that the way he's gone about this is wrong.
It's a good read, especially if you're looking for another voice to Jane Eyre. It's true enough to the time period, along with the language. Some of the details seemed to be repetitive at times,
This was fantastic! Unlike most literary tributes, this one deftly imagines Mr. Rochester’s life before Jane Eyre. Sarah Shoemaker must have done extensive research to imagine life so convincingly in England, France, and Jamaica. I am very impressed.
Mr. Rochester has always been one of my favorites. I enjoyed the Ruth Wilson/Toby Stephens television mini-series portrayals but my absolute favorite is the Mia Wasikowska/Michael Fassbender movie. Someday, I'll get around to watching the Ciaran Hinds and Timothy Dalton versions. There's many more I'm sure, but I'll start with those. Edward Fairfax Rochester was always so grim, grouchy, and out of sorts with everyone. His personality always appealed to my inner Oscar the Grouch. This book fills in the details of how he got that way. You'll love him, even more, when you see how his father and brother treated him. Bertha Antoinetta Mason's in here too. You'll feel angry over the events that led to her madness. Shoemaker merges the two stories very well, in my opinion.
I love Jane Eyre. In all its forms. I came across this one in a bookstore browse, and obviously the title caught my attention. This novel tells Mr Rochester’s story from his beginning, and is told in three parts. Boyhood, his time in Jamaica (aka another side of Wide Sargasso Sea), and then his story with Jane Eyre from his perspective. I really enjoyed it, and I only struggled with how long it took before he meets Jane Eyre. Obviously, as that was my draw, I waited with bated breath for them to first encounter each other on that road. Anyways, the narrative was strong, and the writing flowed beautifully. I recommend it unreservedly for fans of Jane Eyre.
You might know this by now, but I’m a huge Jane Eyre fan. I will devour everything and anything related to the book. So when I saw that a book from Mr. Rochester’s point of view was coming out, I jumped on the opportunity like one of my dogs on an errant piece of cheese.
Mr. Rochester did not disappoint. The story begins with young Edward Fairfax Rochester as an unloved second son, torn from Thornfield Hall by an indifferent father to begin his education. The book follows Mr. Rochester though his teen years (banished from his father and older brother to a mill to learn to run a business), through his days in Jamaica (where he meets the mysterious and beautiful Bertha Mason), to his dissipation on the continent (where we meet the opera singer, Celine), and finally, to his fateful journey back to Thornfield where he meets a kind young governess after his horse slips on the ice.
Shoemaker has done a great job of adhering to the tone of the original book; the prose mimics Bronte’s style incredibly well. Shoemaker also manages to bring a fresh feeling to the classic book, while at the same time staying true to the original, no mean feat. In this regard, the book reminds me of Phantom by Susan Kay, another novel which expanded on a well-known story, but remained undiminished even next to the original.
While you do not technically have to read Jane Eyre before reading Mr. Rochester, I would certainly recommend that you read Jane Eyre first. Fans of Jane Eyre should definitely read this book, as should anyone with a love of classic and/or British literature.
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mr. Rochester did not disappoint. The story begins with young Edward Fairfax Rochester as an unloved second son, torn from Thornfield Hall by an indifferent father to begin his education. The book follows Mr. Rochester though his teen years (banished from his father and older brother to a mill to learn to run a business), through his days in Jamaica (where he meets the mysterious and beautiful Bertha Mason), to his dissipation on the continent (where we meet the opera singer, Celine), and finally, to his fateful journey back to Thornfield where he meets a kind young governess after his horse slips on the ice.
Shoemaker has done a great job of adhering to the tone of the original book; the prose mimics Bronte’s style incredibly well. Shoemaker also manages to bring a fresh feeling to the classic book, while at the same time staying true to the original, no mean feat. In this regard, the book reminds me of Phantom by Susan Kay, another novel which expanded on a well-known story, but remained undiminished even next to the original.
While you do not technically have to read Jane Eyre before reading Mr. Rochester, I would certainly recommend that you read Jane Eyre first. Fans of Jane Eyre should definitely read this book, as should anyone with a love of classic and/or British literature.
An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I suppose there’s a reason Jane Eyre is written in her voice and not his.
I expected a book that was Jane Eyre from Rochester’s perspective but you don’t even meet Jane until the last 1/4 of the book. And by then it’s a copy/paste of Jane Eyre with the pronouns switched. I may pick this book up again in the future, but for now I am too disappointed to consider it.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't drawing me. I'd choose my phone over the book, a clear sign it's time to move on.