Penguin Group/Putnam, March 22, 2016.
Five Stars
Jane Steele is inspired by Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel Jane Eyre – it is a retelling of the
original in which Jane still experiences abuse, but instead of submitting to
her role, she turns vigilante. This new Jane is an avid reader of Bronte’s novel,
and while she feels an affinity with Jane Eyre, she is much stronger, both
physically and mentally. While the original Jane is light and ethereal like her
name, the new Jane is made of stronger stuff, as her name suggests. In a twist
on Jane Eyre’s famous line, Jane Steele tells us without hesitation, “Reader, I
murdered him.”
Successfully written in a gothic style, with more than
a hint of humour and charm, Faye’s novel enhances the experience of Jane Eyre, while still standing on its
own. Whether you are a huge fan of Bronte’s novel (like me) or have never read
it, there is so much to enjoy about Jane
Steele. Like her predecessor, Jane Steele is treated poorly by her aunt and
then her schoolmaster, but she doesn’t take it quietly. She defends herself and
her loved ones – and leaves a trail of dead bodies behind her. Even Jane
believes she is wicked, but somehow as a reader we cannot help but sympathize
with her actions.
As Jane struggles to survive the underworld of London’s
dark alleys, she continues to commit crimes to protect herself and others.
Although her violent acts would be condemned in reality, I challenge you as a
reader not to cheer her on as you speed through this novel. Ironically, Jane
makes a living during her time on London’s streets by writing about the crimes
of others in a prison broadsheet, each story more gruesome than the last.
Meanwhile, Jane struggles with her own actions, although they seem increasingly
inevitable as we become immersed in her world.
In the second half of the novel, Jane Steele answers
an ad for a job as governess, bringing her story ever more in line with that of
Jane Eyre. However, instead of finding Rochester’s madwoman in the attic, Jane
discovers an exotic household with a mystery in the cellar – and a secret that
has travelled with the home’s inhabitants from the distant world of India. Many
of the names of people and places are echoes of those in Jane Eyre, little clues placed in the novel for fans of the
original.
Jane Steele is written as a confession – Jane is willing to give up all of her
crimes, in exchange for a peaceful life and the acceptance of those she loves.
There is romance, but it is satirical – Jane doesn’t need a Mr. Rochester to
take care of her, but it is nice to have companionship, which she finds in her
own Mr. Thornfield. This independence gives the novel a feminist slant, and
Jane’s modern sensibilities are all the more satisfying when she takes on
challenges and makes her own happiness.
Jane Steele sees her predecessor Jane Eyre as a
spiritual guide – she even swears upon her copy of the novel. She shares many
qualities with the original Jane, but here they are enhanced. The novel is a
metafictional ride with multiple references to gothic stylization and to Bronte’s
life and times. It is very tongue-in-cheek, and I laughed out loud more than
once. Jane Steele is an incredible character, filled with contradictions, and I
won’t forget her anytime soon.
I received this novel from Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley
in exchange for an honest review.
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