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The First Mrs. Rochester and Her Husband
He is the unloved second son of an old and esteemed family. She is breathtaking and rich but unknowingly carries the seeds of a devastating illness. Their fathers strike a convenient bargain which their children have little choice but to accept. Products of their time, Bertha Mason and Edward Rochester marry for financial security and respectability although they scarcely know one another.
At best, they will become comfortable companions who grow to love one another.
At worst . . .
In Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë hints at their early days together and gives a secondhand account of their catastrophic last encounter, but there is more to the story of Bertha and Edward's disastrous union--much, much more.
A respectful look at Brontë's characters through their own eyes, The First Mrs. Rochester and Her Husband reveals how the Rochesters live in those shady years between leaving Jamaica and Jane's arrival at Thornfield Hall. Removed from the lush tropical garden she loved as a child and confined to a single room, Bertha struggles to understand the losses of her past and why she is hated and feared by her husband. Meanwhile, Edward crisscrosses Europe, seeking happiness but finding only failed affairs and painful truths. He grows inured to his despair and dissatisfaction until an unusual young woman joins his household and reminds him of the man he had hoped to become. A reckless plan to commit bigamy results in tragedy for everyone around him, and Edward--humbled physically and spiritually--must at last own his mistakes and strive to make peace with himself.
At best, they will become comfortable companions who grow to love one another.
At worst . . .
In Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë hints at their early days together and gives a secondhand account of their catastrophic last encounter, but there is more to the story of Bertha and Edward's disastrous union--much, much more.
A respectful look at Brontë's characters through their own eyes, The First Mrs. Rochester and Her Husband reveals how the Rochesters live in those shady years between leaving Jamaica and Jane's arrival at Thornfield Hall. Removed from the lush tropical garden she loved as a child and confined to a single room, Bertha struggles to understand the losses of her past and why she is hated and feared by her husband. Meanwhile, Edward crisscrosses Europe, seeking happiness but finding only failed affairs and painful truths. He grows inured to his despair and dissatisfaction until an unusual young woman joins his household and reminds him of the man he had hoped to become. A reckless plan to commit bigamy results in tragedy for everyone around him, and Edward--humbled physically and spiritually--must at last own his mistakes and strive to make peace with himself.
- GenresAdult
306 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2013
2 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Smith
3 books3 followersA native of West Tennessee, M. C. Smith graduated from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. She currently lives in Durham, North Carolina, where she works for a national not-for-profit agency.
She has been an admirer of Charlotte Bronte since seventh grade and hopes her novel satisfactorily answers some of the questions left behind by Jane Eyre. Oddly enough, when Ms. Smith visited Yorkshire in 2010, she did not find her way to any Bronte-related spots. (The shame!) She did, however, make time for Newstead Abbey, Byron's ancestral home.
When not working, she probably is listening to Dash Rip Rock or Social Distortion.
She has been an admirer of Charlotte Bronte since seventh grade and hopes her novel satisfactorily answers some of the questions left behind by Jane Eyre. Oddly enough, when Ms. Smith visited Yorkshire in 2010, she did not find her way to any Bronte-related spots. (The shame!) She did, however, make time for Newstead Abbey, Byron's ancestral home.
When not working, she probably is listening to Dash Rip Rock or Social Distortion.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2013
I absolutely adored this prequel to Jane Eyre. I loved having the perspectives of both Bertha Mason and Mr. Rochester. It filled in a lot of gaps and lingering questions I had from reading Jane Eyre.
March 26, 2015
This review and more on So Bookalicious
Jane Eyre is my favorite classic, maybe even my favorite in general. When the author approached me with the question if I wanted to read The First Mrs Rochester and Her Husband I didn’t have to think twice. Their story has always fascinated me because we know little to nothing about them.
In this book we got to know their history a little better. We got to know the exact reason why he married her in the first place and why he decided to leave her behind at Thornfield Hall of all places. But one of the most interesting things was that the story was told in both Berthas’ as Mr Rochester’s perspective. At first I didn’t really like Edward. He was quiet selfish, he rather married a complete stranger then work for his money. And after he dumped her at his home, because let’s face it that is exactly what he did, he went off to Europe and lived and eccentric like a bachelor. But he really made up for his past at the end of the book. He became a humble man who appreciated the people who stood beside him no matter what had happened. And I already knew that I would end up liking him. Most of all we finally got to know what was going on inside her head all this time and how she was feeling about the whole situation. I have always felt a little bad for her, she might not be mentally right but being locked away in a room cannot improve her condition.
I wouldn’t have minded if the author explored more the first weeks/months/years of their marriage. Because know she told their whole story in one, short, book. And I believe that their first years of marriage could have been really fascinating for us readers. I also missed that there was no real conversation between the characters, the author just told us what was happening and the only two characters who seemed to talk were Edward and Bertha.
Overall I really liked this story. If you are, like me, a fan of Jane Eyre than I would recommend reading this book since it gives a nice extra touch to the original story.
Jane Eyre is my favorite classic, maybe even my favorite in general. When the author approached me with the question if I wanted to read The First Mrs Rochester and Her Husband I didn’t have to think twice. Their story has always fascinated me because we know little to nothing about them.
In this book we got to know their history a little better. We got to know the exact reason why he married her in the first place and why he decided to leave her behind at Thornfield Hall of all places. But one of the most interesting things was that the story was told in both Berthas’ as Mr Rochester’s perspective. At first I didn’t really like Edward. He was quiet selfish, he rather married a complete stranger then work for his money. And after he dumped her at his home, because let’s face it that is exactly what he did, he went off to Europe and lived and eccentric like a bachelor. But he really made up for his past at the end of the book. He became a humble man who appreciated the people who stood beside him no matter what had happened. And I already knew that I would end up liking him. Most of all we finally got to know what was going on inside her head all this time and how she was feeling about the whole situation. I have always felt a little bad for her, she might not be mentally right but being locked away in a room cannot improve her condition.
I wouldn’t have minded if the author explored more the first weeks/months/years of their marriage. Because know she told their whole story in one, short, book. And I believe that their first years of marriage could have been really fascinating for us readers. I also missed that there was no real conversation between the characters, the author just told us what was happening and the only two characters who seemed to talk were Edward and Bertha.
Overall I really liked this story. If you are, like me, a fan of Jane Eyre than I would recommend reading this book since it gives a nice extra touch to the original story.
January 3, 2015
I have never read Jane Eyre but I have watched numerous movies based on the book. I knew the concept of what happened to Jane Eyre and how she ended up with Mr.Rochester. What I found interesting though is about Bertha, the first wife. I felt bad for her that everyone thought she was mad and I did not like how she was treated by her husband. Can you imagine being locked in a room for years? I would imagine that that would make a person mad. I was hoping, in the story, that she would have some gumption and fight back. I think that is she were to be in the here and now she would probably be diagnosed with bipolar.
The story was written in alternating chapters between Bertha and Edward. I really didn't like Edwards character at first but by the end of the story I felt that whatever bad he had done, he made up for it in his changes in his personality and deeds. After the tragedy, he became a humbled man and started feeling for those around him, those who stayed faithful to him.
I will not go into detail about the story but I think if you are a person who likes the classics, and Jane Eyre in particular, then you should read this book. A look into the people that were briefly touched upon in the original story.
The story was written in alternating chapters between Bertha and Edward. I really didn't like Edwards character at first but by the end of the story I felt that whatever bad he had done, he made up for it in his changes in his personality and deeds. After the tragedy, he became a humbled man and started feeling for those around him, those who stayed faithful to him.
I will not go into detail about the story but I think if you are a person who likes the classics, and Jane Eyre in particular, then you should read this book. A look into the people that were briefly touched upon in the original story.
August 23, 2014
The First Mrs. Rochester and Her Husband is a valiant effort. The author crafted three-dimensional characters. The concept is good. The setting, the characterization and the plot keep you turning the pages. If you’re up for a literary tale, this book is for you. I rate this book a four-star read.
February 18, 2015
This didn't really add to the story which we all know and love. But I certainly give kudos to this author for attempting it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews