1.1k reviews for:

Jane Steele

Lyndsay Faye

3.91 AVERAGE


 My Recommendation: I thought it was a great read! If you like the Brontës or even just that time period, I would recommend it. Faye’s writing is excellent and I often found myself shocked she included such modern ideas (LGBT characters, diverse religions/ethnicity and strong female characters) and then I had to remind myself this was NOT written in the early 1900s but in the 2010s. Clearly Faye did a great job of seamlessly weaving in these ideas using the language and references of the time.

My Response: This was incredibly entertaining and fascinatingly fun to read, but it wasn’t at all what I expected. I think perhaps I’ve read too many Austen fan-fiction novels that fit into one of two molds: modern retelling or prequel/sequel. There are the occasional paranormal/sci-fi mash-ups but mostly they fit within those first two molds. This novel was completely different.

I knew it would be different because the Brontë’s are such different writers, but I wasn’t aware how different it would be in terms of fan-fiction. I’ve only read a few Brontë fan-fiction works, 50% or more of which made me want better stories or better writing. When I reached out to the publisher, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, for a review copy I didn’t quite know what I was getting into, but I’m definitely glad I requested it!*

Continue reading on my book blog at geoffwhaley.com.

*I received a copy of this book in return for an honest response. No goods or money were exchanged.

Jane Eyre is not the most charming of classic literary heroines. Readers who love her are die-hard fans, and readers who don’t are baffled that she has fans at all. Lindsay Faye’s new book Jane Steele breathes fresh life into this complex classic character. While Faye’s heroine loves Bronte’s classic novel, and even faces some similar experiences as the original Jane, her response to these circumstances makes her a heroine modern readers will swoon for, regardless of how they may have felt about her namesake. While Faye may borrow a few plot points from Bronte, this is not a retelling of Jane Eyre.

Jane Steele is orphaned, and left in the care of an aunt who seems to despise her. Jane is sent to a horrendous boarding school where girls are starved and humiliated. While Eyre accepted these trials as part of her lot, Steele takes matters into her own hands. She begins her story by telling us “Of all my many murders, committed for love and for better reasons, the first was the most important." This Jane is a kind of vigilante, righting the wrongs of society.

After abruptly leaving Lowan Bridge School, then surviving and even thriving in some of London’s less savory streets, she finds a governess position at a large estate owned by Mr. Charles Thornfield. At Highgate House, she finds an intriguing cast of characters. Thornfield, now home in England after years serving in the Punjab, seems to be harboring secrets. His entire household, including his charming young ward are all Sikhs, and in this exotic and strange new household Jane feels more at home than she ever has before.

This newfound happiness is jeopardized when she finds herself falling in love with her employer, even as she tries to hide her own unsavory past. And, can she say for certain she will never murder again?

4,5/5

I'm going to have to apologise in advance because I will be FOREVER fangirling over Charles Thornfield.

The first 1/2 was great; the second 1/2 was a slog.

This was a very interesting story, and although it was like Jane Eyre, Faye created new, and interesting characters. And seriously, I always wanted to Jane Eyre to be a little (a lot) more violent, like Jane Steele.

The first thing I read about Jane Steele was that it was a retelling of Jane Eyre, but I don’t really think that that is accurate. The Jane in this novel is inspired by the lead character of her favourite book and certain threads of the story bear similarities but, where Jane Eyre shows he mettle in an unassuming way, Jane Steele’s is fully on display for the reader as she goes about righting wrongs – by way of murder.

Although Jane is upfront about her – unfortunate – sideline in killing, it’s very important that you understand her reasoning and that the people who feel her wrath are by no means undeserving of their fate – whether this is giving unwanted sexual attention, or domestic abuse her victims will be very little missed by the world. I know, I know, it’s not really her place to take this into her own hands, but it is very hard to care very much about her victims.

When Jane discovers that her early life may not be all it appeared, she finds herself back at her childhood home, attempting to find out if she is the true heir – only to be comsumed with love and respect for the new inhabitants.

This second section of the book is rich with details of the British in India and their devastating wheeling and dealing and bloodshed as Jane finds out what grief lies behind Charles Thornfield’s devotion to his young ward, who captivates Jane.

So, as I said, not really a retelling of Jane Eyre, but you can see the bones of that novel and Jane Steele is directly guided by the novel as she goes about her life; she find solace in Charlotte Brontë’s heroine and her quiet dignity.

I very much enjoyed the book and the tantalising grey areas of Jane’s life. Jane Steele is such a compelling character and she is a very modern woman in a historical context. When she finds love, she’s not afraid to pursue it as, indeed, she is not afraid to pursue murder where it is needed. Based around some of the characters and elements of this story, I did wonder if this would become a series, with Jane and Thornfield investigating murders together as that is a series that I would relish reading!

More than 4 stars but not quite a 5 star read. My only sticking point is the descriptions that make her a serial killer. She is NO serial killer. She does not seek out people to murder but merely finds that it is the clearest way of eliminating problems. A great story.

Jane Eyre, with considerably more sarcasm, Sikhism, murder and sex. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I didn't like the start, but it got better as I got farther into the story. By the end, I had stayed up too late to finish it.