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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
My goodness! Here's a book that has darted to the top of my favorites ever. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Not one dull chapter!
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Agatha Christie points out in one of her titles: "Murder Is Easy". Not the first one, necessarily; there is usually a basic human revulsion for taking another's life. But once that first notch is on one's belt, subsequent murders/executions/assassinations come more readily. Or so she says – I know nothing about the matter personally, of course, dear Reader.
I think I object to this book being called a retelling of Jane Eyre. Jane Steele knows the book, and recognizes her similarities to fictional-for-her-Jane, and indeed the idea to become a governess is pleasing to her because of the book. I think it's more an homage, a love letter to the book, as This Jane's life echoes and mimics That Jane's; who's to say that some of the decisions This Jane made weren't influenced by That Jane? (I suspect the epithet "you impudent elf" might have been.)
It took a little while for me to click with Jane. I lost heart in the midst of her childhood, perhaps disappointed that this was not at all like the Lyndsay Faye books I've read and loved before. I admit it was purely duty to Netgalley that dragged me back to give it another try. Thank goodness. Once it did click, it clicked, and there was no looking back – I loved every minute.
I loved the writing. "The girl who had broken off from the line was twelve, with a moon face which was so beautiful I had no notion whether she should be congratulated or censured for taking matters a trifle too far."
I loved learning something new (such as about the aara, which is horrifying and awesome), and relearning something I'd forgotten (like the definition of "ferengi", which – have I mentioned I'm a Trekkie?).
I loved the horses. I always take note of how a writer handles horses, whether they're given names, whether they're given personalities, and – most importantly – with what level of knowledge they're depicted. They were beautifully handled here.
I loved the entirely unexpected exploration of Colonial – and violently post-Colonial – India. Shades of The Little Princess and perhaps a more accurately drawn Woman in White; fascinating.
I loved the children. You read that correctly: I, who usually can't stand children in fiction and particularly precocious children, loved Jane-as-child and her poor unfortunate schoolmates, and most especially Sahjara.
I adored Sardar. What a marvelous character. I'm still trying to incorporate his usual response into my daily conversation.
"Your advice is loathsome, Sardar, and it disendears me to you."
"So often the way with advice…"
And as for Jane and her Charles…
Surprise! I loved them.
So often the way with Lyndsay Faye's books…
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
I think I object to this book being called a retelling of Jane Eyre. Jane Steele knows the book, and recognizes her similarities to fictional-for-her-Jane, and indeed the idea to become a governess is pleasing to her because of the book. I think it's more an homage, a love letter to the book, as This Jane's life echoes and mimics That Jane's; who's to say that some of the decisions This Jane made weren't influenced by That Jane? (I suspect the epithet "you impudent elf" might have been.)
It took a little while for me to click with Jane. I lost heart in the midst of her childhood, perhaps disappointed that this was not at all like the Lyndsay Faye books I've read and loved before. I admit it was purely duty to Netgalley that dragged me back to give it another try. Thank goodness. Once it did click, it clicked, and there was no looking back – I loved every minute.
I loved the writing. "The girl who had broken off from the line was twelve, with a moon face which was so beautiful I had no notion whether she should be congratulated or censured for taking matters a trifle too far."
I loved learning something new (such as about the aara, which is horrifying and awesome), and relearning something I'd forgotten (like the definition of "ferengi", which – have I mentioned I'm a Trekkie?).
I loved the horses. I always take note of how a writer handles horses, whether they're given names, whether they're given personalities, and – most importantly – with what level of knowledge they're depicted. They were beautifully handled here.
I loved the entirely unexpected exploration of Colonial – and violently post-Colonial – India. Shades of The Little Princess and perhaps a more accurately drawn Woman in White; fascinating.
I loved the children. You read that correctly: I, who usually can't stand children in fiction and particularly precocious children, loved Jane-as-child and her poor unfortunate schoolmates, and most especially Sahjara.
I adored Sardar. What a marvelous character. I'm still trying to incorporate his usual response into my daily conversation.
"Your advice is loathsome, Sardar, and it disendears me to you."
"So often the way with advice…"
And as for Jane and her Charles…
Surprise! I loved them.
So often the way with Lyndsay Faye's books…
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
First, a disclaimer: I have never read Jane Eyre nor have I ever managed to sit through any of the movie versions in their entirety. So how close (or not) this story comes to paying respectful homage to the literary classic is something I'm just not qualified to judge. What I can do, however, is say that I found this story of an empowered, whip smart Jane highly witty and entertaining. While her means are sometimes drastic in the extreme, Jane is nevertheless full of feeling and emotion which ensures that she remains a sympathetic heroine to the end.
A female serial killer who loves Jane Eyre and may be in love with her female school friend?? Sign me up, this sounded right up my alley and I really enjoyed the first part. However, once she becomes a governess for Mr. Thornfield the second half got a little boring and my attention strayed. But I greatly enjoyed Jane as a child, teen, and young woman - basically when she was getting vengeance lol.
Highly melodramatic and lots of fun. Reminded me quite a bit of Louis Meyer's Bloody Jack series, but for grownups.
I listened to the audio version. It was enjoyable. The first half of the book was better for me than the second half.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Reader, I murdered him.”
Fantastic re-imagining of Jane Eyre. So funny and beautifully written. This is another book that belongs in my top 25, actually my top 10. The dark humour is pitched perfectly, the heroine is complex but likeable and the supporting cast memorable.
If you've read Jane Eyre you'll love it and if you haven't you'll still love it.
Fantastic re-imagining of Jane Eyre. So funny and beautifully written. This is another book that belongs in my top 25, actually my top 10. The dark humour is pitched perfectly, the heroine is complex but likeable and the supporting cast memorable.
If you've read Jane Eyre you'll love it and if you haven't you'll still love it.