I’ve always enjoyed Jane Eyre retellings (even more than the original, for some reason) so when Wendy at Musings of a Bookish Kitty reviewed this, I was intrigued. I was reminded of the book when Wendy did a roundup of all the first lines of books that she read in 2021 and since I wanted something light and fun for an overnight bus ride, I decided to borrow the ebook!
As expected, this was a fun read that I read in two hours and then immediately texted a friend who likes thrillers to recommend it to her.
If you know the story of Jane Eyre, you roughly know the plot of this story. There’s Jane, who despite being a grifter and a thief is still more likeable than the original character; there’s Eddie Rochester, who sweeps her off her feet; and there’s Bea, the wife upstairs (presumed dead alongside her best friend, Blanche). Most of the story alternates between Jane’s chapters, from when she meets Eddie and as she tries to fit into high society and run from her past, and Bea’s diary entries as she’s locked up in the house.
Everyone here is unlikeable but they’re not so unlikeable that I was put off from the book. From the start, Jane made no pretensions about wanting to climb up the social ladder, wanting to be accepted by a crowd that she knew was superficial, and I enjoyed that honesty.
I think another reason why I enjoyed it so much is because it reminds me of another book that I also enjoyed. I’m absolutely not going to say the name or author because that could lead to spoilers for the plot, but if you’re curious and you’re the kind that likes spoilers, feel free to DM me on Instagram and I’ll tell you if I remember. My memory for specific books can be bad, which is 1) why I write reviews and 2) why I don’t mind spoilers.
Overall, this was fun and a book that I’d recommend if you like thrillers and want something in that genre to read; I read this between chapters of an academic book on Freewomen in history and it worked as a palate cleanser when the academic book was getting a bit too intense for me.
Featured Image: Photo from Canva
Have you read “The Eyre Affair”? It’s not a straight up retelling, more of an odd fantasy/alternate history where society is literature-obsessed and someone is abducting literary characters.
I have not but you had me at “abducting literary characters”!
I am glad you enjoyed The Wife Upstairs, Eustacia. It was a fun read.
It was definitely fun!
That sounds like an interesting read. I’ve always disliked Jane Eyre – can’t stand the characters. But this approach – knowing that they’re terrible, but being honest about it – might just work. Hmm ….
Hahaha I found the original characters really boring when I read it too! But that was a few years back, I wonder if my opinion will change….
They might! It’s amazing how much taste can change over a few years!
I loved Jane Eyre as a child so I think I’ll have to add this to my Goodreads!
I hope you enjoy it!