Jessy Randall
I just finished reading a wonderful book, Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye. It's not a mystery novel per se, but it has many elements that mystery lovers will recognize and enjoy. Some reviewers have described it as a re-imagining of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, but I don't think that's quite right -- Jane Steele (the title character of Jane Steele) refers to reading and re-reading Jane Eyre and comments on the similarities and differences between her life and the life of Jane Eyre (the title character of Jane Eyre). So, to me, that isn't a re-imagining. Jane Steele is an orphan, an avid reader, and a governess, so she can't help but compare herself with Jane Eyre. She's also a murderer, the most likable murderer I've ever found in literature. I look forward to reading Faye's other novels now that Jane Steele has brought me to her work.
I was certainly guilty of the re-imagining word in my review, but I also called it a loving tribute.
Having extensively studied Victorian novels and talking with Lyndsay, it was clearly meant to be an homage to Jane Eyre - there are too many similarities on their journey (along with some intentionally altered references to that classic), so I don't blame reviewers. I do take exception to the marketing campaign, which at one point said that it was Jane Eyre re-imagined as a serial killer. That is not accurate. Both Janes are distinct individuals.
My review: http://bolobooks.com/2016/03/jane-steele-the-bolo-books-review/
Posted by: Kristopher | May 31, 2016 at 12:03 PM
"Loving tribute" is the perfect way to describe it. Thanks for the comment and the link!
Posted by: Jessy Randall | May 31, 2016 at 01:12 PM