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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship
Meh. I really didn't hate this book but it could have been better. As a matter of fact it was enjoyable but as a short read I would imagine a lot missing just to move the story along. Not much made sense.
But again a nice little thriller and I enjoyed the audiobook.
But again a nice little thriller and I enjoyed the audiobook.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pros: didn’t predict all of the twists, fast paced
Cons: main character’s development was inconsistent, lame ending, reminded me too much of other thrillers (like the housemaid, even though this one was published first)
Cons: main character’s development was inconsistent, lame ending, reminded me too much of other thrillers (like the housemaid, even though this one was published first)
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So many 3.5 star books lately, and so hard to decide whether to round up or down. In the end, it was down for this one, because I don't think, had I not read Jane Eyre, that I would have been very interested in it at all. I think it would have read like just another thriller. But, it was well done, I think. I just have thriller fatigue. And I love Jane Eyre, and while this book shares characters, the characters don't share motivations, not really. This is really just a fun bit of frippery with not much substance in the end. Which is fine! But a bit of a disappointment as a retelling of one of the most influential novels ever written. On the other hand, it would have been a fool's errand to try to live up to Jane Eyre so maybe Hawkins made the right decision.
Anyway, this book was fun! I did enjoy seeing how she transformed the various characters, and the red herrings and twists were well done, and I think she pulled them off. I was just a little disappointed in how Bee/Bertha ended up. Bertha Mason is one of literature's most hard-done by characters, and I have yet to read a book that gives her what I feel is the right treatment. I suppose this one got as close as any. I also thought the core of Jane herself was a little bothersome. The center of the original book is that Jane is such a good person who remains true to her convictions even in the most difficult of circumstances (poverty, abuse, the death of friends, when your fiancé is hiding his wife in the attic and she tries to kill you with fire, overly religious cousins, etc.) Here, Jane is a bit of a scammer, although at her core I suppose she is also a good person. There were also shades of her desperation to love and belong somewhere that rung true, but overall, they felt like very different characters to me.
I think this is worth checking out for sure, just don't go in expecting Jane Eyre and be prepared for more of a fluffy thriller and might have a lot of fun.
[3.5 stars, trying to decide whether to round up or down]
Anyway, this book was fun! I did enjoy seeing how she transformed the various characters, and the red herrings and twists were well done, and I think she pulled them off. I was just a little disappointed in how Bee/Bertha ended up. Bertha Mason is one of literature's most hard-done by characters, and I have yet to read a book that gives her what I feel is the right treatment. I suppose this one got as close as any. I also thought the core of Jane herself was a little bothersome. The center of the original book is that Jane is such a good person who remains true to her convictions even in the most difficult of circumstances (poverty, abuse, the death of friends, when your fiancé is hiding his wife in the attic and she tries to kill you with fire, overly religious cousins, etc.) Here, Jane is a bit of a scammer, although at her core I suppose she is also a good person. There were also shades of her desperation to love and belong somewhere that rung true, but overall, they felt like very different characters to me.
I think this is worth checking out for sure, just don't go in expecting Jane Eyre and be prepared for more of a fluffy thriller and might have a lot of fun.
[3.5 stars, trying to decide whether to round up or down]
An okey read but hardly any suprises if you have read the famous classic novel it is based off. I wished it had more suprises trough out the book and an more suspenseful ending. A quick read though.
The wife upstairs by Rachel Hawkins gets 6/10 stars.
The wife upstairs by Rachel Hawkins gets 6/10 stars.
Solid 3.5 stars. An interesting modern take on Jane Eyre
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An intoxicating read that is easily devourable. “Jane” goes from being the girl on the wrong side of the tracks as the neighborhood dog walker to falling quickly in love with an eligible bachelor. Soon she discovers his wife is missing and pronounced dead, but there seems more to the story than just an accidental drowning in the lake. Jane uses her wit and instinct to get to the bottom of the mystery.