Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
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:
Complicated
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I am on record as a great admirer of Lyndsay Faye’s work but she has really pulled out all of the stops in this one. Fresh off her trilogy of historical mysteries involving the beginnings of the New York City police department, she turns her attentions now towards one of the great classics of literature, [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639].
This novel is billed as a satirical romance and indeed it is. The description of “accidental vigilante” is best, I think for Ms. Jane Steel is the heroine of this novel and herself also a devoted fan of the novel, “Jane Eyre”. Jane Steele’s life has many parallels to her fictional counterpart and we readers get to re-live those but this time with a heroine who is adept not only in standing up for herself but also in doing something about it. If that something involves wrongdoing such as deceit, theft, and even multiple counts of murder, well then, we can be sure they deserved it. But do not expect a re-do of the “Jane Eyre” plot because just when you think you know what should happen next, the novel goes in a completely different direction.
Also, please do not get the impression that this novel is some sort of re-imagining of Jane Eyre except with the protagonist acting as a serial killer with no soul or remorse. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s not a pastiche like ‘Jane Eyre, Zombie Hunter’ might be (although that could be good too). Rather this is a true Victorian romance, written in a keenly similar style with subtle allowances for modern audiences. Lyndsay Faye has always impressed me with her sheer mastery of English prose and this book is no exception. Her phrasing and word choice express so much and with such beauty that we readers are sucked into each scene. The characters, especially Jane Steele, are wonderfully complex and many of their motivations continually unfold over the course of the entire novel. And finally, the plot adds a solid helping of history, not only through the plight of women (especially those under economic distress during that era), but also through some great characters of Indian descent that allows us a window into Sikhism. It’s a romance, a mystery, and an historical novel all wrapped up into one.
I would say that it is not a prerequisite to have read Jane Eyre first, but I highly recommend it. It’s a very nice novel without the benefit of that prior knowledge but you will miss out on any number of clever tie-ins and Easter eggs if you haven’t. This certainly seems to be a stand-alone novel but I can see possibilities for a sequel or three, especially given Ms. Steele’s keen eye for solving mysteries and not being afraid to get her hands dirty in doing so.
A very engaging novel and highly recommended.
This novel is billed as a satirical romance and indeed it is. The description of “accidental vigilante” is best, I think for Ms. Jane Steel is the heroine of this novel and herself also a devoted fan of the novel, “Jane Eyre”. Jane Steele’s life has many parallels to her fictional counterpart and we readers get to re-live those but this time with a heroine who is adept not only in standing up for herself but also in doing something about it. If that something involves wrongdoing such as deceit, theft, and even multiple counts of murder, well then, we can be sure they deserved it. But do not expect a re-do of the “Jane Eyre” plot because just when you think you know what should happen next, the novel goes in a completely different direction.
Also, please do not get the impression that this novel is some sort of re-imagining of Jane Eyre except with the protagonist acting as a serial killer with no soul or remorse. Quite the opposite in fact. It’s not a pastiche like ‘Jane Eyre, Zombie Hunter’ might be (although that could be good too). Rather this is a true Victorian romance, written in a keenly similar style with subtle allowances for modern audiences. Lyndsay Faye has always impressed me with her sheer mastery of English prose and this book is no exception. Her phrasing and word choice express so much and with such beauty that we readers are sucked into each scene. The characters, especially Jane Steele, are wonderfully complex and many of their motivations continually unfold over the course of the entire novel. And finally, the plot adds a solid helping of history, not only through the plight of women (especially those under economic distress during that era), but also through some great characters of Indian descent that allows us a window into Sikhism. It’s a romance, a mystery, and an historical novel all wrapped up into one.
I would say that it is not a prerequisite to have read Jane Eyre first, but I highly recommend it. It’s a very nice novel without the benefit of that prior knowledge but you will miss out on any number of clever tie-ins and Easter eggs if you haven’t. This certainly seems to be a stand-alone novel but I can see possibilities for a sequel or three, especially given Ms. Steele’s keen eye for solving mysteries and not being afraid to get her hands dirty in doing so.
A very engaging novel and highly recommended.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was good…ended predictably
I enjoyed this book but was upset that the character just HAD to fall in love with her employer/ cousin by marriage. I enjoyed the different representation of people in book but…she didn’t need to fall in love. Good otherwise and enjoyed it
I enjoyed this book but was upset that the character just HAD to fall in love with her employer/ cousin by marriage. I enjoyed the different representation of people in book but…she didn’t need to fall in love. Good otherwise and enjoyed it
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes