abigailjuice 's review for:

Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye

5.0

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Jane Steele was a complete masterwork. Not only did it breathe new life into Jane Eyre, one of my all time favorite books, it explored feminism, sexism and inequality in new and important ways. Lindsay Faye brought together a discussion of the oppression of women and the oppression of a culture by colonialism while never dropping one (or two, depending on your count) of the best love stories I have ever read. Though Jane Steele could be easily written off as violent or heartless, a more sinister truth about the way women are treated and taught to felt about their actions lies within her character. Every other character is equally nuanced and feels real and the story of redeemability is realistic and beautiful. This book is also full of breathtaking language and passages that cover an incredible mystery and unexpected twist. Jane Steele is one of the best, strong female characters I have ever had the pleasure to encounter and this book is hands down one of my favorite books I've read this year.