Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Newly Notable -- The Flight of Gemma Hardy

I will be the first to admit that I am usually wary of retellings. I, who have never written or published a word for mass market consumption, am an unbearable snob about certain topics and this is one of them. My line of thinking usually goes like this: Really? You're trying to improve on Charlotte Bronte's work? You think that you can do Charlotte Bronte better than Charlotte Bronte did Charlotte Bronte? And then I snort at the arrogance that seems to be so inherent in human beings.
But I digress.
Here's what Margot Livesey did: she took Jane Eyre, (which, in the name of full disclosure, is one of my favorite books), moved her to the 1950s/60s in Scotland, and allowed the wise young woman to run rampant in an era of less stringent sexual taboos, wider-ranging opportunities for women, and a collective mentality of self-absorption. That may sound like a bad thing, but what happens is that the very wise Jane becomes a flawed and occasionally flighty, but more realistic woman; her evil aunt has a backstory and, while no less detestable, becomes a little more understandable (did anyone else ever wonder why Jane's loving and tender uncle married such a shrew? Livesey has a pretty good theory!); and Mr. Rochester gets some baggage that creates a whole new depth of character for one who seems to become easily obsessed and besotted.
While these enhancements won't please everyone and the setting certainly changes a great deal of the possible twists to the story, Livesey does create a likable rendition of a more modern Jane; certainly one who is more empowered and more willing to take control of her circumstances.
Happy Reading!

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