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!
You read the books, you've seen the movies...what could possibly be missing from your Harry Potter experience? Until now Harry Potter had not yet entered the digital realm.
