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caitlinturningpages 's review for:
Jane Steele
by Lyndsay Faye
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review originally posted on my blog, Turning Pages.
When I first heard of this book, I was quite intrigued. Jane Eyre was one of the classics I read in high school, just for fun, and have re-read it multiple times. Word was that it was a Jane Eyre re-telling where Jane is a murderer, but in fact the story is inspired by the classic gothic romance and mentions the book often, rather than being a re-telling. But whereas this seems to have bothered some readers, I enjoyed Jane Steele. Jane Steele is a dark, surprisingly funny, and sexy story inspired by Jane Eyre.
Jane Steele is delightfully inspired by Jane Eyre, and some aspects of the plot is mirrored in this book (like the abusive childhood, cruel school, and romance with a mysterious employer). You see some similarities in character, and yet this story is also unique. In Bronte’s novel, she addresses the reader. In Faye’s novel, it feels like the protagonist is directly telling us her story. She addresses the reader at least once per chapter, and always to poke fun of our expectations of classic literature and autobiographies. It balanced the dark tone and subject-matter of the novel well, and made the book quite entertaining. Sometimes the phrasing got a bit repetitious, but mostly I enjoyed it. I also think it’s funny that Jane Steele read Jane Eyre and decided to tell her own story because she found it similar (Jane Eyre is one of her favourite books, actually). And there are quotes from the original throughout.
This novel is much more dark than the work it’s inspired by, however. Jane is abused by multiple men at a young age, one is her cousin who attempts to rape her (he becomes her first accidental murder). Then the headmaster of her school who starves children if they do anything he deems bad. Him starving them has undoubtedly lead to the death of multiple students. He’s also a pervert. Those portions of the book make me incredibly angry, and the abuse is deeply unsettling. From there, Jane murders men who beat their wives, who plan to rape girls. And so when she finally has a chance to escape her life as a vigilante, she takes it. When she becomes a governess at her old childhood home, she begins her redemption. She builds a life where she has friends and family, and she has to then come to terms with her traumatic and dark past. Her tale of redemption is slow going, but once she begins to face her fears she moves on and claims herself quite quickly.
Jane Steele is definitely an anti-heroine, but she feels her only way to survive, and the only way to protect her loved ones, is to kill. She comes to realize that she doesn’t have to kill, that there are other ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. As she faces her past, she comes to learn who she is and feel good about herself. Side note: it seemed to me like Jane is also bi-sexual but I won’t say anything else so as to spoil the story. Sam Quillfeather, the inspector, is a wonderful character too who fights for what's right, and comforts Jane when she blames herself for the abuse. The girl whom Jane teaches, is a wonderful character. She’s strong, brave, and sweet. It’s almost hard to believe she’s under 10 years old because she seems so mature at times, so sure of herself. I love Jane’s friendship with Singh; the two become confidantes and even family. Mr. Thornfield may have his secrets, and may punish himself for things in his past, but he’s caring and witty.
And that brings me to the romance. Jane Steele has sexy and sweet romance (that is of course difficult because the characters must both overcome their tragic pasts). It’s definitely a gradual thing, from friendship to love. But I adore it.
Jane Steele surprised me. It’s not a re-telling, but it is inspired by the classic, and indeed the protagonist loves Bronte’s novel. The story is quite dark as we see all that Jane suffers and then what she does to survive and to protect her loved ones. But the novel balances quite nicely with the steamy romance, the friendships made, and of course the good dose of humour. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it entertained me.
Review originally posted on my blog, Turning Pages.
When I first heard of this book, I was quite intrigued. Jane Eyre was one of the classics I read in high school, just for fun, and have re-read it multiple times. Word was that it was a Jane Eyre re-telling where Jane is a murderer, but in fact the story is inspired by the classic gothic romance and mentions the book often, rather than being a re-telling. But whereas this seems to have bothered some readers, I enjoyed Jane Steele. Jane Steele is a dark, surprisingly funny, and sexy story inspired by Jane Eyre.
Jane Steele is delightfully inspired by Jane Eyre, and some aspects of the plot is mirrored in this book (like the abusive childhood, cruel school, and romance with a mysterious employer). You see some similarities in character, and yet this story is also unique. In Bronte’s novel, she addresses the reader. In Faye’s novel, it feels like the protagonist is directly telling us her story. She addresses the reader at least once per chapter, and always to poke fun of our expectations of classic literature and autobiographies. It balanced the dark tone and subject-matter of the novel well, and made the book quite entertaining. Sometimes the phrasing got a bit repetitious, but mostly I enjoyed it. I also think it’s funny that Jane Steele read Jane Eyre and decided to tell her own story because she found it similar (Jane Eyre is one of her favourite books, actually). And there are quotes from the original throughout.
This novel is much more dark than the work it’s inspired by, however. Jane is abused by multiple men at a young age, one is her cousin who attempts to rape her (he becomes her first accidental murder). Then the headmaster of her school who starves children if they do anything he deems bad. Him starving them has undoubtedly lead to the death of multiple students. He’s also a pervert. Those portions of the book make me incredibly angry, and the abuse is deeply unsettling. From there, Jane murders men who beat their wives, who plan to rape girls. And so when she finally has a chance to escape her life as a vigilante, she takes it. When she becomes a governess at her old childhood home, she begins her redemption. She builds a life where she has friends and family, and she has to then come to terms with her traumatic and dark past. Her tale of redemption is slow going, but once she begins to face her fears she moves on and claims herself quite quickly.
Jane Steele is definitely an anti-heroine, but she feels her only way to survive, and the only way to protect her loved ones, is to kill. She comes to realize that she doesn’t have to kill, that there are other ways to protect yourself and your loved ones. As she faces her past, she comes to learn who she is and feel good about herself. Side note: it seemed to me like Jane is also bi-sexual but I won’t say anything else so as to spoil the story. Sam Quillfeather, the inspector, is a wonderful character too who fights for what's right, and comforts Jane when she blames herself for the abuse. The girl whom Jane teaches, is a wonderful character. She’s strong, brave, and sweet. It’s almost hard to believe she’s under 10 years old because she seems so mature at times, so sure of herself. I love Jane’s friendship with Singh; the two become confidantes and even family. Mr. Thornfield may have his secrets, and may punish himself for things in his past, but he’s caring and witty.
And that brings me to the romance. Jane Steele has sexy and sweet romance (that is of course difficult because the characters must both overcome their tragic pasts). It’s definitely a gradual thing, from friendship to love. But I adore it.
Spoiler
And it’s hilarious how Jane tells readers that Mr. Thornfield and her end up finally getting together. It was one of my favorite scenes in the novel because it was sexy and also witty.Jane Steele surprised me. It’s not a re-telling, but it is inspired by the classic, and indeed the protagonist loves Bronte’s novel. The story is quite dark as we see all that Jane suffers and then what she does to survive and to protect her loved ones. But the novel balances quite nicely with the steamy romance, the friendships made, and of course the good dose of humour. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it entertained me.