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A review by utopiastateofmind
Reader, I Murdered Him by Betsy Cornwell
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Okay, we love some sapphic historical vigilantes. I will read any story like this any time. I had no idea that Reader, I Murdered Him told the story of Adele from Jane Eyre. But what I loved about this specific aspect was that it leans and pulls from the original in just the right spots. It is centered on Adele's background before she meets Jane and then her own feelings regarding Jane. It felt like a fresh perspective on a classic, but also one that wasn't trying too hard to stick only to the original.
And then where it obviously departs from Jane Eyre, I adored. To see the ways in which Adele has been shaped by her upbringing and see what she makes of herself. Because while Jane is there, she's by no means a present mother figure to her for her entire life. Once her story really departs from the original, is when I began to fall in love with Adele. To see the ways in which she protects her friends when no one else will. At the same time, Reader, I Murdered Him is very aware of the privilege and class differences. How she has certain privilege because her family is not dependent on her match.
Okay, we love some sapphic historical vigilantes. I will read any story like this any time. I had no idea that Reader, I Murdered Him told the story of Adele from Jane Eyre. But what I loved about this specific aspect was that it leans and pulls from the original in just the right spots. It is centered on Adele's background before she meets Jane and then her own feelings regarding Jane. It felt like a fresh perspective on a classic, but also one that wasn't trying too hard to stick only to the original.
And then where it obviously departs from Jane Eyre, I adored. To see the ways in which Adele has been shaped by her upbringing and see what she makes of herself. Because while Jane is there, she's by no means a present mother figure to her for her entire life. Once her story really departs from the original, is when I began to fall in love with Adele. To see the ways in which she protects her friends when no one else will. At the same time, Reader, I Murdered Him is very aware of the privilege and class differences. How she has certain privilege because her family is not dependent on her match.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Pedophilia