What do you think?
Rate this book
La figlia di Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre, straordinaria protagonista del romanzo omonimo di Charlotte Brontë, era arrivata a Thronfield Hall come governante, prima di sposarne il padrone, Edward Rochester. La loro unione era cominciata nel peggior dei modi: la moglie di Rochester, creduta morta e invece impazzita e prigioniera della vecchia magione da anni, aveva tentato di uccidere entrambi, per poi morire in un incendio provocato da lei stessa.
Ormai Jane e Rochester sono sposati da diverso tempo, ed è da qui che parte il romanzo di Elizabeth Newark, vero e proprio seguito di Jane Eyre. Janet, la figlia adolescente di Jane e Rochester, sta per fare il suo ingresso in società, ma, vista la partenza dei genitori per la Giamaica, viene temporaneamente affidata alle cure del severo Colonnello Dent. Ben presto la sua vita viene sconvolta da una serie misteriosi avvenimenti sia a Highcrest, la tenuta del Colonnello, sia a Thornfield Hall. Che ruolo hanno i due personaggi maschili antagonisti, il timido e cinico Roderick Landless e l’affascinante e intraprendente Sir Hugo Calendar? E Janet può fidarsi di loro? Di sicuro saprà essere forte e coraggiosa. In fondo è figlia di sua madre…
Ormai Jane e Rochester sono sposati da diverso tempo, ed è da qui che parte il romanzo di Elizabeth Newark, vero e proprio seguito di Jane Eyre. Janet, la figlia adolescente di Jane e Rochester, sta per fare il suo ingresso in società, ma, vista la partenza dei genitori per la Giamaica, viene temporaneamente affidata alle cure del severo Colonnello Dent. Ben presto la sua vita viene sconvolta da una serie misteriosi avvenimenti sia a Highcrest, la tenuta del Colonnello, sia a Thornfield Hall. Che ruolo hanno i due personaggi maschili antagonisti, il timido e cinico Roderick Landless e l’affascinante e intraprendente Sir Hugo Calendar? E Janet può fidarsi di loro? Di sicuro saprà essere forte e coraggiosa. In fondo è figlia di sua madre…
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 5, 2013
"What was it like, I wondered, to share my father’s bed, to be held by those strong, muscular arms close to him throughout the night, so safe, so cherished? My cheeks would flush, my limbs grow moist with perspiration at the thought."
Nono. Nonononononono. Oh god no.
2.5 stars, but bumped up to a 3 because I do like the writing style and the fact that it's rather true to the period.
Ick, gross. There are so many incestuous overtones in this book. Janet (named Jane, but called Janet to distinguish herself from her mother) has an Electra complex the size of Texas. She loves her daddy, daddy loves her, but can't show her too much affection because wife Jane would disapprove. The real Jane, from Jane Eyre, is now mother of two children, Oliver (a weak-willed boy, a pale shadow of Rochester) on whom she dotes because HE IS THE LONG DESIRED HEIR AND SON OF HER BELOVED HUSBAND. Oh, and a daughter. Whatever.
I hate how the original Jane is portrayed as a cold, unfeeling, highly moralistic and unfeeling woman who would show preference to one child. She is portrayed as a distant mother to her oft-ignored daughter, and I don't think this reflects true upon the Jane we encountered in Jane Eyre. Being an orphan and having spent her childhood unwanted in her uncle's household and then in the prphanage, I would think that Jane would have considerably more empathy and love in her for her children, all of them and not just the son.
Anyway, Janet has an unhealthy obsession with her father, and she cannot help but compare her image of this revered man upon those she has met. The writing is good enough, but I can't get over how poorly portrayed my beloved characters of Jane Eyre has become.
Nono. Nonononononono. Oh god no.
2.5 stars, but bumped up to a 3 because I do like the writing style and the fact that it's rather true to the period.
Ick, gross. There are so many incestuous overtones in this book. Janet (named Jane, but called Janet to distinguish herself from her mother) has an Electra complex the size of Texas. She loves her daddy, daddy loves her, but can't show her too much affection because wife Jane would disapprove. The real Jane, from Jane Eyre, is now mother of two children, Oliver (a weak-willed boy, a pale shadow of Rochester) on whom she dotes because HE IS THE LONG DESIRED HEIR AND SON OF HER BELOVED HUSBAND. Oh, and a daughter. Whatever.
I hate how the original Jane is portrayed as a cold, unfeeling, highly moralistic and unfeeling woman who would show preference to one child. She is portrayed as a distant mother to her oft-ignored daughter, and I don't think this reflects true upon the Jane we encountered in Jane Eyre. Being an orphan and having spent her childhood unwanted in her uncle's household and then in the prphanage, I would think that Jane would have considerably more empathy and love in her for her children, all of them and not just the son.
Anyway, Janet has an unhealthy obsession with her father, and she cannot help but compare her image of this revered man upon those she has met. The writing is good enough, but I can't get over how poorly portrayed my beloved characters of Jane Eyre has become.
December 11, 2017
Disappointing.
July 16, 2009
The prologue was promising, but by chapter three I gave up in disgust. Any author who needs to set their story up by providing THAT many improbable coincidences/romantic fiction stereotypes is Not Very Good at what they do.
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW***
Our valiant heroine unfairly schemed against by an Eeville Schoolmistress who takes an Unnatural Dislike to her? Check!
FORCED to share a room with *gasp* Blanche Ingram's BEASTLY daughter?! Check.
Who is a totally unredeemable character? And check.
Mysterious, handsome stranger met whilst the heroine was doing something dashing and brave? Check.
AMAZINGLY connected to her family? OhGodPleaseMakeItStopHowDidThisThingEverMakeItPastBadFanficdom?
***POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW***
Our valiant heroine unfairly schemed against by an Eeville Schoolmistress who takes an Unnatural Dislike to her? Check!
FORCED to share a room with *gasp* Blanche Ingram's BEASTLY daughter?! Check.
Who is a totally unredeemable character? And check.
Mysterious, handsome stranger met whilst the heroine was doing something dashing and brave? Check.
AMAZINGLY connected to her family? OhGodPleaseMakeItStopHowDidThisThingEverMakeItPastBadFanficdom?
December 4, 2013
If only I could give this negative stars. If you're thinking about reading this–DON'T! Jane Eyre is my favorite book and I thought a sequel would be fun, but this was just terrible.
The nameless, cliché and badly written review should have tipped me off. However, I didn't listen to myself and decided to read it, and I really regret that decision. There is so much wrong with this book.
1) Why why why does Janet have fantasies of being her father's lover? Not only that, she wants to marry someone who's exactly like her father because she loves him so much. Janet tells us this right at the beginning, and unfortunately I didn't throw this book out the window at that point.
2) This author must have a creepy incest fetish or something, because there's an actual incestuous relationship between a brother and a sister in this book. (Not in the Rochester family, thank God.) Really.
3) Another example: Janet is totally fine with being in love with someone who's possibly her half-brother. I think the author has a serious crush on Mr. Rochester, so she made someone just like him (Janet mentions multiple times how similar the two are, and not just in the physical sense) who could be described as such through another character's loving eye, just so she could get it all out.
4) This book is really just a (seriously terrible) rewriting of Jane Eyre, thought the events are switched around a bit. There's girl who looks exactly like Jane used to look; she ends up living sort of as an orphan for a while (Janet's parents are missing); she lives at a school for a bit; she lives in a giant house with a guardian; it turns out there's someone hiding in the house who runs around the halls and laughs at night; Jane-like girl marries a guy who looks exactly like Mr. Rochester used to look; Janet meets this guy when he appears in the middle of the lane and her horse almost runs over him (a kind of reverse of the way Jane met Mr. Rochester); Mr. Rochester-like dude speaks to Janet exactly like Mr. Rochester spoke to Jane (instead of "elf" and "fairy" it's "warrior maid"). It's ridiculously easy to pick up on the similarities.
5) This may be just me, but if Jane and Mr. Rochester wanted a son to be named after him, why didn't they just name their first son Edward instead of Oliver? Where did the name Oliver come from, anyway?
If you've picked this book up, put it down and back away slowly. This is pretty much another creepy fanfiction in the vein of Fifty Shades of Grey.
The nameless, cliché and badly written review should have tipped me off. However, I didn't listen to myself and decided to read it, and I really regret that decision. There is so much wrong with this book.
1) Why why why does Janet have fantasies of being her father's lover? Not only that, she wants to marry someone who's exactly like her father because she loves him so much. Janet tells us this right at the beginning, and unfortunately I didn't throw this book out the window at that point.
2) This author must have a creepy incest fetish or something, because there's an actual incestuous relationship between a brother and a sister in this book. (Not in the Rochester family, thank God.) Really.
3) Another example: Janet is totally fine with being in love with someone who's possibly her half-brother. I think the author has a serious crush on Mr. Rochester, so she made someone just like him (Janet mentions multiple times how similar the two are, and not just in the physical sense) who could be described as such through another character's loving eye, just so she could get it all out.
4) This book is really just a (seriously terrible) rewriting of Jane Eyre, thought the events are switched around a bit. There's girl who looks exactly like Jane used to look; she ends up living sort of as an orphan for a while (Janet's parents are missing); she lives at a school for a bit; she lives in a giant house with a guardian; it turns out there's someone hiding in the house who runs around the halls and laughs at night; Jane-like girl marries a guy who looks exactly like Mr. Rochester used to look; Janet meets this guy when he appears in the middle of the lane and her horse almost runs over him (a kind of reverse of the way Jane met Mr. Rochester); Mr. Rochester-like dude speaks to Janet exactly like Mr. Rochester spoke to Jane (instead of "elf" and "fairy" it's "warrior maid"). It's ridiculously easy to pick up on the similarities.
5) This may be just me, but if Jane and Mr. Rochester wanted a son to be named after him, why didn't they just name their first son Edward instead of Oliver? Where did the name Oliver come from, anyway?
If you've picked this book up, put it down and back away slowly. This is pretty much another creepy fanfiction in the vein of Fifty Shades of Grey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2016
Echoes of Thornfield
What if, after twenty-something years of marriage, Jane and Edward Rochester decided to travel abroad to the West Indies for several years?
What if they had a sixteen year old daughter they decided to leave behind in England with a guardian and companion in a Yorkshire estate close to her home?
While I’ve read and enjoy several novels that share the romantic life of Charlotte Brontë (my favorite being The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James) and list her masterpiece, Jane Eyre, as one of my all-time favorite reads, this is my first time reading a sequel to Jane Eyre! Similar to many Jane Austen sequels, this story takes place many years later and revolves more around the offspring of the happily married couple than the couple themselves. I was happy to feel an immediate interest and sympathy for our heroine, Janet Rochester and loved her clear and open narrative voice.
In this sequel that spans close to four years, readers will see what becomes of Janet as she is sent to school and then later to live with her guardian, a widowed Colonel Dent, who lives seven miles from Thornfield in his own estate called Highcrest Manor. While Janet can find happiness and comfort at Highcrest, there are some things that cut up her peace a little bit. Like what are those sounds she hears at night? Why is the East Wing completely closed off? Why are the servants acting so secretive? Also, Colonel Dent’s secretary, Roderick Landless, bears a striking resemblance to Janet’s father…is there some familial connection there? Who are Roderick’s parents? What is his story?
As you can see, this is quite an engrossing and intriguing plot with a lot of echoes of Charlotte Brontë’s original novel. I greatly enjoyed all the mysteries and secrets and appreciated how the parallels weren’t too overt and obvious. This story felt very much its own and the well-defined and captivating characters helped create a new world for readers to explore. I found Janet extremely admirable – she was loyal, fierce, kind-hearted, and strong. I also enjoyed the enigmatic and dark characters of this tale, it was diverting to speculate about their secrets and try to puzzle out their histories.
Along with themes of independence, family, and unknown secrets – Jane Eyre’s Daughtertouches upon the theme of forbidden love. With Janet’s worshipful adoration of her father, her developing feelings for someone who may be related to her, and the depiction of a pair of siblings who seem to share a closer than familial bond, there are some undertones of taboo love. This may not be to the liking of some readers, but knowing the Brontës propensity to be radical, passionate, and dramatic, to me it felt well within the realm of what one would expect in Brontë-esque literature.
One aspect of this story that I think many readers won’t like or agree with is the author’s portrayal of Jane Rochester. She is portrayed as a strong and loving wife, but one who favors her son with attention and affection and not her daughter. Towards her daughter she is cold and stringent – no kind words, no embraces, no tenderness. Seeing how Jane behaved towards Adele Varens, this just doesn’t ring true. However, rather than be completely turned off by this author’s portrayal, I decided push aside my opposing view and buy in, as having a distant and unaffectionate mother seemed to serve the author’s purpose. Since we don’t see Jane Rochester much after the first couple of chapters, this was easy to do.
Jane Eyre’s Daughter is an engrossing read that I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy gothic romances and mysteries. With its echoes of Jane Eyre, intriguing characters, and gothic tone this story is a lovely homage to Jane Eyre.
Note: Austenesque readers might like to know that Ms. Newark is also the author of a Pride and Prejudice sequel – The Darcys Give a Ball. I’m looking forward to checking it out!
What if, after twenty-something years of marriage, Jane and Edward Rochester decided to travel abroad to the West Indies for several years?
What if they had a sixteen year old daughter they decided to leave behind in England with a guardian and companion in a Yorkshire estate close to her home?
While I’ve read and enjoy several novels that share the romantic life of Charlotte Brontë (my favorite being The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë by Syrie James) and list her masterpiece, Jane Eyre, as one of my all-time favorite reads, this is my first time reading a sequel to Jane Eyre! Similar to many Jane Austen sequels, this story takes place many years later and revolves more around the offspring of the happily married couple than the couple themselves. I was happy to feel an immediate interest and sympathy for our heroine, Janet Rochester and loved her clear and open narrative voice.
In this sequel that spans close to four years, readers will see what becomes of Janet as she is sent to school and then later to live with her guardian, a widowed Colonel Dent, who lives seven miles from Thornfield in his own estate called Highcrest Manor. While Janet can find happiness and comfort at Highcrest, there are some things that cut up her peace a little bit. Like what are those sounds she hears at night? Why is the East Wing completely closed off? Why are the servants acting so secretive? Also, Colonel Dent’s secretary, Roderick Landless, bears a striking resemblance to Janet’s father…is there some familial connection there? Who are Roderick’s parents? What is his story?
As you can see, this is quite an engrossing and intriguing plot with a lot of echoes of Charlotte Brontë’s original novel. I greatly enjoyed all the mysteries and secrets and appreciated how the parallels weren’t too overt and obvious. This story felt very much its own and the well-defined and captivating characters helped create a new world for readers to explore. I found Janet extremely admirable – she was loyal, fierce, kind-hearted, and strong. I also enjoyed the enigmatic and dark characters of this tale, it was diverting to speculate about their secrets and try to puzzle out their histories.
Along with themes of independence, family, and unknown secrets – Jane Eyre’s Daughtertouches upon the theme of forbidden love. With Janet’s worshipful adoration of her father, her developing feelings for someone who may be related to her, and the depiction of a pair of siblings who seem to share a closer than familial bond, there are some undertones of taboo love. This may not be to the liking of some readers, but knowing the Brontës propensity to be radical, passionate, and dramatic, to me it felt well within the realm of what one would expect in Brontë-esque literature.
One aspect of this story that I think many readers won’t like or agree with is the author’s portrayal of Jane Rochester. She is portrayed as a strong and loving wife, but one who favors her son with attention and affection and not her daughter. Towards her daughter she is cold and stringent – no kind words, no embraces, no tenderness. Seeing how Jane behaved towards Adele Varens, this just doesn’t ring true. However, rather than be completely turned off by this author’s portrayal, I decided push aside my opposing view and buy in, as having a distant and unaffectionate mother seemed to serve the author’s purpose. Since we don’t see Jane Rochester much after the first couple of chapters, this was easy to do.
Jane Eyre’s Daughter is an engrossing read that I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy gothic romances and mysteries. With its echoes of Jane Eyre, intriguing characters, and gothic tone this story is a lovely homage to Jane Eyre.
Note: Austenesque readers might like to know that Ms. Newark is also the author of a Pride and Prejudice sequel – The Darcys Give a Ball. I’m looking forward to checking it out!
January 12, 2012
Maybe 3.5
I'm having a little difficulty in rating this book. The beginning of the book was slow but also strange. The book opens in the voice of Janet, the daughter of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Newark version is similar to the original in that Janet goes to boarding school, there is a mysterious side to the manor of which she resides in, and she falls in love.
One of the things that I liked about this book was the voice. I felt Janet was very similar to her mother. I felt Newark captured the era in a very similar way as Bronte and for me the voice of the book worked. The mystery wasn't as deep as a spouse locked in the attic but it was integrated into the book well. I liked the characters. I felt Newark did a great job in creating new characters for Janet and continuing an adventure for Jane Eyre.
What I didn't like about this novel was the sexual reminders/comments that were strangly inserted in random areas of the book. For example, when Janet goes to boarding school she was discussing Miss Nasmyh. But out of no where Janet mentions how Miss Nasmyth touches and molests the girls. Strange. There was also an account of incest. Very strange. I didn't like the layout of the book. I didn't like how the chapters are sectioned. Each chapter is sectioned off by a decorated page and the title of that chapter, followed by a quote from one of Bronte's books. This wasn't my favorite layout and I found the quotes to be lame.
Lastly, the ending was dumb. I felt like the last section of the book could have been edited out. I felt it was completely unnecessary and served no purpose. To me, Newark tried to change the character of Jane Eyre and I didn't really like the direction.
Overall, The first part of the book was slower but it definitely picked up. I liked Janet. I felt she was a nice combination of her mother and her father and this worked for me. Other than the strange sections, I liked this book. So I guess that is why a 3.5 works for me.
I'm having a little difficulty in rating this book. The beginning of the book was slow but also strange. The book opens in the voice of Janet, the daughter of Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. Newark version is similar to the original in that Janet goes to boarding school, there is a mysterious side to the manor of which she resides in, and she falls in love.
One of the things that I liked about this book was the voice. I felt Janet was very similar to her mother. I felt Newark captured the era in a very similar way as Bronte and for me the voice of the book worked. The mystery wasn't as deep as a spouse locked in the attic but it was integrated into the book well. I liked the characters. I felt Newark did a great job in creating new characters for Janet and continuing an adventure for Jane Eyre.
What I didn't like about this novel was the sexual reminders/comments that were strangly inserted in random areas of the book. For example, when Janet goes to boarding school she was discussing Miss Nasmyh. But out of no where Janet mentions how Miss Nasmyth touches and molests the girls. Strange. There was also an account of incest. Very strange. I didn't like the layout of the book. I didn't like how the chapters are sectioned. Each chapter is sectioned off by a decorated page and the title of that chapter, followed by a quote from one of Bronte's books. This wasn't my favorite layout and I found the quotes to be lame.
Lastly, the ending was dumb. I felt like the last section of the book could have been edited out. I felt it was completely unnecessary and served no purpose. To me, Newark tried to change the character of Jane Eyre and I didn't really like the direction.
Overall, The first part of the book was slower but it definitely picked up. I liked Janet. I felt she was a nice combination of her mother and her father and this worked for me. Other than the strange sections, I liked this book. So I guess that is why a 3.5 works for me.
May 24, 2010
Since I recently watched two Jane Eyre adaptations and reread Jane Eyre last year I couldn't resist picking this one to read. Although this is a sequel to Jane Eyre the truth is that Jane and Rochester only appear in the first and last chapters of the book and I found that that was a good thing. Too often I've been disappointed by sequels where the characters I already knew did not seem to behave as in the original book. By keeping them out of sight Newark gave me a chance to appreciate it more because I couldn't quite believe in her Jane and Rochester as the characters of Charlotte Bronte's novel.
Janet Rochester is the daughter of Jane and Rochester. She admires her mother and has a deep love for her father. When she is about sixteen her parents decide to send her to a school while they travel to Jamaica to oversee the lands that Rochester has inherited from his first wife. She will finish her education and, if the family hasn't returned yet, afterwards she will stay with the widower Colonel Dent, one of her guardians.
Janet is a very introspective girl and we get to know her pretty well as the book is told in the first person. After finishing school which she didn't much enjoy except for the friends she made there, Janet goes to live at Highcrest with Colonel Dent. The she meets Mr. Landless, an enigmatic young man which reminds her of her father, and meets again the Calendars, a brother and sister she had first met in London and that have rented Thornfield Hall from her parents.
Highcrest is a dark and mysterious house, Colonel Dent is an old gentleman set in his ways about what is proper or not and he definitely feels that Janet's ways are not as genteel as they should be. Not only that but Janet soon realises that part of the house is closed to her and that all the servants are family or at least come from the area and the Colonel doesn't want outsiders joining the household. Of course Janet is determined to find out what's behind the closed doors...
I did find this Jane Eyre's Daughter an engaging novel. I read it in one sitting actually... There were many similarities between this story and the original Jane Eyre, more than you usually find in sequels I felt, and the one big complaint that I have is, as I mentioned previously, that the original characters, especially Jane, did not ring true. But I did like Janet a lot and I was happy to follow her on her adventures and to unravel all the mysteries regarding Colonel Dent, Mr. Landless and the Calendars. I liked Janet's confrontations with the Colonel and her interaction with both Landless and Calendar, not sure that I did buy Sir Hugo's motivations though.
I did like the story as the gothic novel that it is but, considering my doubts about Jane and Rochester, maybe not so much as a Jane Eyre sequel. It's funny because I actually picked up because of the JE connection and to include in the Bronte Challenge.
Grade: 4/5
Janet Rochester is the daughter of Jane and Rochester. She admires her mother and has a deep love for her father. When she is about sixteen her parents decide to send her to a school while they travel to Jamaica to oversee the lands that Rochester has inherited from his first wife. She will finish her education and, if the family hasn't returned yet, afterwards she will stay with the widower Colonel Dent, one of her guardians.
Janet is a very introspective girl and we get to know her pretty well as the book is told in the first person. After finishing school which she didn't much enjoy except for the friends she made there, Janet goes to live at Highcrest with Colonel Dent. The she meets Mr. Landless, an enigmatic young man which reminds her of her father, and meets again the Calendars, a brother and sister she had first met in London and that have rented Thornfield Hall from her parents.
Highcrest is a dark and mysterious house, Colonel Dent is an old gentleman set in his ways about what is proper or not and he definitely feels that Janet's ways are not as genteel as they should be. Not only that but Janet soon realises that part of the house is closed to her and that all the servants are family or at least come from the area and the Colonel doesn't want outsiders joining the household. Of course Janet is determined to find out what's behind the closed doors...
I did find this Jane Eyre's Daughter an engaging novel. I read it in one sitting actually... There were many similarities between this story and the original Jane Eyre, more than you usually find in sequels I felt, and the one big complaint that I have is, as I mentioned previously, that the original characters, especially Jane, did not ring true. But I did like Janet a lot and I was happy to follow her on her adventures and to unravel all the mysteries regarding Colonel Dent, Mr. Landless and the Calendars. I liked Janet's confrontations with the Colonel and her interaction with both Landless and Calendar, not sure that I did buy Sir Hugo's motivations though.
I did like the story as the gothic novel that it is but, considering my doubts about Jane and Rochester, maybe not so much as a Jane Eyre sequel. It's funny because I actually picked up because of the JE connection and to include in the Bronte Challenge.
Grade: 4/5
June 28, 2010
"With Jane Austen sequels proliferating, it's about time someone created a sequel to Austen's rival Charlotte Brontë!
In this sequel to Jane Eyre, young Janet Rochester is consigned to Highcrest Manor and the guardianship of the strict Colonel Dent while her parents journey to the West Indies. As she struggles to make a life for herself guided by their ideals, she is caught up in the mysteries of Highcrest.
Why is the East Wing forbidden to her? What lies behind locked gates? And what is the source of the voices she hears in the night? Can she trust the enigmatic Roderick Landless or should she transfer her allegiance to the suave and charming Sir Hugo Calendar?
Riding her mare on the Yorkshire moors, holding her own with Colonel Dent, or waltzing at her first ball, Janet is a strong and sympathetic character, and like her mother, she will need all her courage ..."
---From Back Cover
Sequels are very hard to pull off, especially when the original story author is deceased. Some authors you wonder if they even read the original book. Others try to remain true to the author. Elizabeth Newark did a fair job staying true. Some of the story mirrored Jane Eyre while other parts reminded me of other books.
What I liked: Janet Rochester is a likeable character, who is coming of age. Newark brings in characters of the original story, i.e. the Ingrams. Other characters have a mystery that surrounds them. You are left wondering what their intentions. There is a mystery that surrounds Highcrest almost in the same way of Jane Eyre with Thornfield.
Elizabeth Newark description of the countryside is picturesque.
What I didn't like: I did not like Newton's character discription of Jane Eyre. She makes her out to be a cold and jealous. She showed more love to Adele than her own daughter. I also didn't like the incestuous undertones. I could do without those.
All in all the book was okay. It was not as mysterious and Jane Eyre but the story was not boring either.
In this sequel to Jane Eyre, young Janet Rochester is consigned to Highcrest Manor and the guardianship of the strict Colonel Dent while her parents journey to the West Indies. As she struggles to make a life for herself guided by their ideals, she is caught up in the mysteries of Highcrest.
Why is the East Wing forbidden to her? What lies behind locked gates? And what is the source of the voices she hears in the night? Can she trust the enigmatic Roderick Landless or should she transfer her allegiance to the suave and charming Sir Hugo Calendar?
Riding her mare on the Yorkshire moors, holding her own with Colonel Dent, or waltzing at her first ball, Janet is a strong and sympathetic character, and like her mother, she will need all her courage ..."
---From Back Cover
Sequels are very hard to pull off, especially when the original story author is deceased. Some authors you wonder if they even read the original book. Others try to remain true to the author. Elizabeth Newark did a fair job staying true. Some of the story mirrored Jane Eyre while other parts reminded me of other books.
What I liked: Janet Rochester is a likeable character, who is coming of age. Newark brings in characters of the original story, i.e. the Ingrams. Other characters have a mystery that surrounds them. You are left wondering what their intentions. There is a mystery that surrounds Highcrest almost in the same way of Jane Eyre with Thornfield.
Elizabeth Newark description of the countryside is picturesque.
What I didn't like: I did not like Newton's character discription of Jane Eyre. She makes her out to be a cold and jealous. She showed more love to Adele than her own daughter. I also didn't like the incestuous undertones. I could do without those.
All in all the book was okay. It was not as mysterious and Jane Eyre but the story was not boring either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2010
Jane Eyre’s Daughter is a sequel to one of my favorite novels of all time, Jane Eyre. The heroine of this book is the second child of Rochester and Jane, Janet Rochester. While Janet idolizes her father, she shares a cool relationship with her mother Jane. When she is sixteen years old, Rochester, Jane, and Oliver (Janet’s older brother) set off on a trip around the world, leaving Janet at a boarding school in London. Janet is also in the care of Rochester’s old friend Colonel Dent. While staying with him at his manor Highcrest, Janet uncovers many mysteries that seem to parallel her mother’s stay at Thornfield. One of the secrets is who exactly is Colonel Dent’s secretary, Roderick Landless? Landless looks like a younger version of Janet’s father and his past is a mystery. Janet finds herself torn between her feelings for Roderick and for Sir Hugo Calendar, the new tenant of Thornfield.
I enjoyed the gothic mysteries of the novel, and really liked Janet Rochester as the heroine. The romance between Roderick and Janet is intriguing.
The only part of the novel that I didn’t like was the depiction of Jane Eyre and Janet’s love for her father. I am all for a girl being a daddy’s girl, but was disturbed by the passages where Janet seems to harbor an unhealthy love for her father. Jane Eyre being so cold to her daughter seemed unlike the Jane Eyre from the original novel. She does have a redemptive arc in the novel, but I can’t imagine Jane Eyre treating her daughter in that way.
I enjoyed the gothic mysteries of the novel, and really liked Janet Rochester as the heroine. The romance between Roderick and Janet is intriguing.
The only part of the novel that I didn’t like was the depiction of Jane Eyre and Janet’s love for her father. I am all for a girl being a daddy’s girl, but was disturbed by the passages where Janet seems to harbor an unhealthy love for her father. Jane Eyre being so cold to her daughter seemed unlike the Jane Eyre from the original novel. She does have a redemptive arc in the novel, but I can’t imagine Jane Eyre treating her daughter in that way.
June 27, 2011
Se Jane Eyre aveva il fascino oscuro del romanzo gotico, questo sequel ne è la versione alla Thornfield Next's Top Model, in cui si spende più tempo a descrivere miniuziosamente gli abiti e le crinoline che la protagonista indossa in ogni occasione piuttosto che a far procedere l'azione. L'autrice sembra, infatti, più interessata a far trasparire dalla pagine del libro la sua enciclopedica conoscenza degli usi e costumi degli anni della reggenza piuttosto che scrivere una storia che ti tenga minimamente col fiato sospeso.
July 8, 2020
Jane/Janet ... la figlia di Jane!
Non so mai come pormi davanti a un sequel. Quelli che fino ad ora ho letto, di altre storie ambientate in epoche passate, non hanno retto il confronto con i capolavori che le hanno ispirate, così come non hanno mantenuto toni, originalità e spessore ma soprattutto la freschezza degli stessi.
Tutto questo però non è avvenuto con “questo” sequel, La figlia di Jane Eyre, un libro che mi ha affascinato e consiglio vivamente perché mantiene intatti non solo i personaggi, gli umori, le ambientazioni e la caratterizzazione ambientale e stilistica della Bronte ma anche la passione per una storia che anche nella sua brevità riesce a conquistare e a rimanere giovane nel tempo.
Se in Jane Eyre la protagonista era una donna minuta, fragile e delicata esteriormente, a cui non si sarebbe dato un penny per la sua sopravvivenza in condizioni ostili di natura comportamentale, come quelle affrontate in un periodo inclemente come quello dell’Inghilterra Vittoriana, ma che nell’arco della sua storia riesce ad affermare se stessa e a mantenere saldo il proprio credo, qui è sua figlia a farla da padrone. Jane Eyre Junior, detta Janet, che con lo stesso stile della madre racconta la sua evoluzione in prima persona e la sua passionalità nel vivere senza però uscire dagli schemi.
Janet richiama in appello alla memoria la figura dei genitori prima di porre se stessa e la sua vita sulla scena della carta, figure essenziali non solo per ricalarsi nell’atmosfera Brontiana ma anche per capire di chi lei sia figlia, di due opposti che si sono inequivocabilmente attratti e di cui lei non sia il solo frutto tanto atteso del loro amore ma solo uno dei tanti, essendo solo la secondogenita.
La storia di Janet richiama molto, per chi ha letto il precedente libro, la storia di Jane in alcuni avvincenti motivi. C’è a chi può non piacere il fatto che la scrittrice abbia mantenuto una forma o un gioco delle parti già utilizzati dalla Bronte e per questo considerarla una sua fragilità. Ma che io invece apprezzato proprio questo perché non solo con la prima persona, con l’ambientazione un pò ombrosa o gotica o con il carattere nuovo ma evocativo della madre, nasce una Janet che è si figlia di due opposti ma anche di una nuova generazione temporale! La scrittrice osa nuovi pensieri arditi che nessuna figura vittoriana avrebbe mai osato esprimere attraverso la vita di una giovane fanciulla ingenua della propria età come Janet.
Tra nuovi personaggi adatti al loro ruolo ma forti della propria unicità come sir. Hugo e sua sorella o Rory, e vecchi personaggi che possono inizialmente apparire trasfigurati in una pelle che non è la loro come Jane o Edward genitori, in emozioni troppo strane da poter credere reali, in sole poche pagine si evolve la vita di Janet come è avvenuto con sua madre.
Con una riconciliazione delle parti e un finale da vera romantica Janet si evolve e trova la sua strada, la sua personalità.
Unica nota negativa è forse, a mio avviso, il personaggio di Jane Eyre madre, forse un pò difficile da gestire ma che almeno riesce a salvarsi in modo fragile solo nelle ultime battute, con una riconquista personale di quella libertà che fino alla fine le è sempre un pò mancata anche nel coronamento idilliaco del proprio amore.
Altrettanto mi ha fatto storcere il naso la scomparsa finale degli antagonisti troppo nella nebbia, non c’è da sperare in un seguito del seguito ma nemmeno la velocità dell’idillio sa farsi accettare!
Janet è figlia di sua madre, ma è pur sempre un’altra Jane.
E queste stelle tonde se le merita tutte perchè almeno per una volta non ci sono stati fischi per fiaschi. Proprio una bella storia, forse più ampliata sarebbe stato un successone ma comunque piacevole. Non si può pretendere un successone.
Non so mai come pormi davanti a un sequel. Quelli che fino ad ora ho letto, di altre storie ambientate in epoche passate, non hanno retto il confronto con i capolavori che le hanno ispirate, così come non hanno mantenuto toni, originalità e spessore ma soprattutto la freschezza degli stessi.
Tutto questo però non è avvenuto con “questo” sequel, La figlia di Jane Eyre, un libro che mi ha affascinato e consiglio vivamente perché mantiene intatti non solo i personaggi, gli umori, le ambientazioni e la caratterizzazione ambientale e stilistica della Bronte ma anche la passione per una storia che anche nella sua brevità riesce a conquistare e a rimanere giovane nel tempo.
Se in Jane Eyre la protagonista era una donna minuta, fragile e delicata esteriormente, a cui non si sarebbe dato un penny per la sua sopravvivenza in condizioni ostili di natura comportamentale, come quelle affrontate in un periodo inclemente come quello dell’Inghilterra Vittoriana, ma che nell’arco della sua storia riesce ad affermare se stessa e a mantenere saldo il proprio credo, qui è sua figlia a farla da padrone. Jane Eyre Junior, detta Janet, che con lo stesso stile della madre racconta la sua evoluzione in prima persona e la sua passionalità nel vivere senza però uscire dagli schemi.
Janet richiama in appello alla memoria la figura dei genitori prima di porre se stessa e la sua vita sulla scena della carta, figure essenziali non solo per ricalarsi nell’atmosfera Brontiana ma anche per capire di chi lei sia figlia, di due opposti che si sono inequivocabilmente attratti e di cui lei non sia il solo frutto tanto atteso del loro amore ma solo uno dei tanti, essendo solo la secondogenita.
La storia di Janet richiama molto, per chi ha letto il precedente libro, la storia di Jane in alcuni avvincenti motivi. C’è a chi può non piacere il fatto che la scrittrice abbia mantenuto una forma o un gioco delle parti già utilizzati dalla Bronte e per questo considerarla una sua fragilità. Ma che io invece apprezzato proprio questo perché non solo con la prima persona, con l’ambientazione un pò ombrosa o gotica o con il carattere nuovo ma evocativo della madre, nasce una Janet che è si figlia di due opposti ma anche di una nuova generazione temporale! La scrittrice osa nuovi pensieri arditi che nessuna figura vittoriana avrebbe mai osato esprimere attraverso la vita di una giovane fanciulla ingenua della propria età come Janet.
Tra nuovi personaggi adatti al loro ruolo ma forti della propria unicità come sir. Hugo e sua sorella o Rory, e vecchi personaggi che possono inizialmente apparire trasfigurati in una pelle che non è la loro come Jane o Edward genitori, in emozioni troppo strane da poter credere reali, in sole poche pagine si evolve la vita di Janet come è avvenuto con sua madre.
Con una riconciliazione delle parti e un finale da vera romantica Janet si evolve e trova la sua strada, la sua personalità.
Unica nota negativa è forse, a mio avviso, il personaggio di Jane Eyre madre, forse un pò difficile da gestire ma che almeno riesce a salvarsi in modo fragile solo nelle ultime battute, con una riconquista personale di quella libertà che fino alla fine le è sempre un pò mancata anche nel coronamento idilliaco del proprio amore.
Altrettanto mi ha fatto storcere il naso la scomparsa finale degli antagonisti troppo nella nebbia, non c’è da sperare in un seguito del seguito ma nemmeno la velocità dell’idillio sa farsi accettare!
Janet è figlia di sua madre, ma è pur sempre un’altra Jane.
E queste stelle tonde se le merita tutte perchè almeno per una volta non ci sono stati fischi per fiaschi. Proprio una bella storia, forse più ampliata sarebbe stato un successone ma comunque piacevole. Non si può pretendere un successone.
June 16, 2021
Ho adorato la storia di Jane Eyre, ed ero curiosa di scoprire come avrebbe vissuto sua figlia, quali sarebbero stati i punti in comune e le avventure della sua vita. Così come la protagonista (Janet Eyre Rochester) considera il fratello maggiore, Oliver, una versione edulcorata del padre, lei sembra quella "slavata" della madre: potrebbe apparire indomita e forte, ma personalmente l'ho trovata una normale ragazza che rispecchia il periodo storico in cui vive. La sua storia non ha niente a che vedere con la vita tormentata di Jane e paragonarle non è proprio possibile. Tuttavia la storia mi è piaciuta, così come alcuni parallelismi con la trama originale. La lettura è stata piuttosto scorrevole e i numerosi dettagli non mi hanno infastidita, nonostante non abbiano arricchito la trama di qualcosa di essenziale. Sono rimasta delusa dalla sua morbosa ricerca di un uomo simile a suo padre, non potendo avere l'originale e pensando che la madre la vedesse come una rivale nel rapporto padre-figlia. Anche il modo in cui certi segreti venivano svelati mi sono sembrati un po' superficiali e precipitosi.
Personaggi rilevanti non ce ne sono, ma Roderick potrebbe risultare affascinante e con il giusto pizzico di mistero, ma, come detto, mancano un po' di profondità.
Consiglio di leggere questo romanzo a chi non ha grandi pretese ma vuole tornare a rivivere un po' di quel sentimento fra Jane Eyre e Mr. Rochester, in un pacato sequel visto con gli occhi della loro figlia.
Personaggi rilevanti non ce ne sono, ma Roderick potrebbe risultare affascinante e con il giusto pizzico di mistero, ma, come detto, mancano un po' di profondità.
Consiglio di leggere questo romanzo a chi non ha grandi pretese ma vuole tornare a rivivere un po' di quel sentimento fra Jane Eyre e Mr. Rochester, in un pacato sequel visto con gli occhi della loro figlia.
June 15, 2023
Il mio voto è 4.5 stelline. Premetto che non sono solita leggere libri ispirati o continuazioni di libri famosi di altri autori, ma essendo Jane Eyre uno dei miei libri preferiti mi sono lasciata tentare.
E' ovvio che essendo un'altra autrice lo stile di scrittura è diverso, sebbene molto elegante e dettagliato.
Si può quasi pensare, essendo una storia ispirata alla figlia di Jane Eyre e Mr Rochester, che lo stile diverso sia dovuto al fatto che la protagonista è diversa e più giovane. Il racconto infatti risulta più leggero, sebbene scritto con molta cura.
La storia è ben fatta, e nonostante conti meno di 250 pagine risulta ricca di testo, esprimendo accuratamente descrizioni e pensieri della protagonista.
Janet, nel pieno della sua giovane età è una donna forte che non cede, come d'altronde non fece sua madre a suo tempo, a quello che non ritiene giusto o rispettoso della sua persona.
I personaggi noti di Jane e Mr Rochester potrebbero dare un certo senso di smarrimento non riconoscendoli dall'idea o dalla propria impressione che uno potrebbe essersi fatto leggendo il classico originale, ma possiamo vederla come un evoluzione dei personaggi, che sono invecchiati e cambiati, da quando li abbiamo lasciati alla fine del romanzo di Jane Eyre.
E' sicuramente un libro piacevole per chi come me ha amato la storia originale, che risulta ben curata e ricca di dettagli che riportano al romanzo di Charlotte Bronte.
E' ovvio che essendo un'altra autrice lo stile di scrittura è diverso, sebbene molto elegante e dettagliato.
Si può quasi pensare, essendo una storia ispirata alla figlia di Jane Eyre e Mr Rochester, che lo stile diverso sia dovuto al fatto che la protagonista è diversa e più giovane. Il racconto infatti risulta più leggero, sebbene scritto con molta cura.
La storia è ben fatta, e nonostante conti meno di 250 pagine risulta ricca di testo, esprimendo accuratamente descrizioni e pensieri della protagonista.
Janet, nel pieno della sua giovane età è una donna forte che non cede, come d'altronde non fece sua madre a suo tempo, a quello che non ritiene giusto o rispettoso della sua persona.
I personaggi noti di Jane e Mr Rochester potrebbero dare un certo senso di smarrimento non riconoscendoli dall'idea o dalla propria impressione che uno potrebbe essersi fatto leggendo il classico originale, ma possiamo vederla come un evoluzione dei personaggi, che sono invecchiati e cambiati, da quando li abbiamo lasciati alla fine del romanzo di Jane Eyre.
E' sicuramente un libro piacevole per chi come me ha amato la storia originale, che risulta ben curata e ricca di dettagli che riportano al romanzo di Charlotte Bronte.
September 25, 2022
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
I think the writing style was spot-on in terms of how close it was to the classic, and it definitely seemed historically accurate (though I'm by no means an expert), so I really liked those aspects of it. Although there were definitely issues with how Janet related to her family, it was still plausible to me that she might feel the way she did -- if anything, she just wanted to find a love like she saw her parents had.
I had a hard time relating to Janet as a character; however, I found myself rooting for her nonetheless.
I think the writing style was spot-on in terms of how close it was to the classic, and it definitely seemed historically accurate (though I'm by no means an expert), so I really liked those aspects of it. Although there were definitely issues with how Janet related to her family, it was still plausible to me that she might feel the way she did -- if anything, she just wanted to find a love like she saw her parents had.
I had a hard time relating to Janet as a character; however, I found myself rooting for her nonetheless.
October 9, 2018
If you love Jane Eyre and love nostalgia, you might just love this.
October 5, 2020
Easy read that I was excited to get through. Cute love story that much like its predecessor (in terms of its basis) is somewhat similar in that things are unclear.
September 2, 2008
Newark, Elizabeth. 2008. Jane Eyre's Daughter.
The oak pulpit rises high above the congregation.
I had *every* intention of rereading Jane Eyre before tackling this literary spin-off, Jane Eyre's Daughter. I've only read Eyre once, and that was way back in the fall of 2001. [You know, the semester that was difficult both personally (grandfather's death) and nationally (9/11).] And I still *plan* on rereading it if there's time this fall. It made it to several challenge lists including Carl's R.I.P. III. But when I got the email from the publisher saying that I should post my review as soon as possible, I decided that it was not the time to go traipsing down memory lane just because I'm a perfectionist.
What can I say about Jane Eyre's Daughter. The style. One of the reasons I'd hoped to reread the original was so that I could compare the two styles. To see if this one attempted to echo the original in literary style. I can't be the judge of that (at least not yet.) But I can talk about it all on its own. I found the style to be purposefully put-offish. Let me rephrase that if I can. The narrator has a definite attitude, a definite flair that could be put-offish if you were to meet her in real life. She's definitely not meek or weak or waiting for Prince Charming. So that's what I meant, the narrative reflects the narrator. The style seems to be a distancing one. It's written in first person past tense, and that in and of itself creates distance between the reader and the characters or the reader and the action. As such the action isn't immediate either. What we're "reading" is a reflective narrative. We're being fed a story. Perhaps passively aggressively.
The characters. I liked elements of Janet's character. Was put off by some other elements. Found the family scenario to be odd if I'm quite honest. Which might be expected. Jane Eyre definitely was surrounded by dysfunction. And Mr. Rochester was definitely one odd guy--with good reason. So perhaps it's only natural that instead of a normal, loving family we've got one that has some flaws.
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
This is just a minor spoiler, so maybe you're brave enough to keep reading. One of the major "ick" factors in this book is Freudian in nature. Janet Rochester seems to be--and conscious of it too--in love with her father. She sees him as the perfect, perfect man. She imagines what it would be like to be in bed with her father, to be held in his arms. In other words, she wishes she was her mother. The man she ultimately falls for in fact is a man who looks to be an exact copy of her dear old dad. So much is this resemblance that she thinks for a good many chapters that he might be her half-brother. Still she loves him anyway. The scenes where she gushes about her father in a very romantic, almost sensual way were very squirmily icky.
End of Minor Spoiler.
Her relationship with her mother. Jane Eyre is shown to be a loving mother...except when it comes to her daughter. She loves her son, adores her son. He's her constant companion. But Jane Eyre just can't seem to like her daughter. Can't seem to love her daughter. As her daughter matures, she senses that she has a would-be rival for her husband's affections. She's jealous of any time they spend together. So she's very uptight and distant (read that *bitchy*) with her daughter, and a bit doting and overprotective of her son. His name is Oliver by the way.
But her parents are really very minor characters. Almost immediately, the whole Rochester family--minus the daughter--is tossed out of the book and sent on an extended round-the-world vacation. They essentially pack up everything, lease Thornfield, and tell their daughter..."we'll be back in three or four years. Don't get married until you're twenty-one." She's fifteen (maybe sixteen) when they leave. She's first sent to boarding school. Then sent to live with Colonel Dent after she graduates from finishing school.
The tone of Jane Eyre's Daughter is sufficiently gothic. There are secrets, lies, mysteries, romance, and a general uncomfortableness that feels appropriate for this Bronte spin-off. The mystery isn't as spectacularly shocking as the big reveal in Jane Eyre--crazy woman in attic--but the well-intentioned echo (this time in Colonel Dent's home) is intriguing in its own way.
I won't go into all the details, but it was a semi-satisfying read. I think it was well written, but for me, I didn't like some of the places this novel went. I think other readers might enjoy it more. Especially for fans of gothic romance with spooky settings and creepy tones. (Though I must applaud the fact that at least it wasn't sexually graphic. It could have been much much worse.) It was better than I expected.
The oak pulpit rises high above the congregation.
I had *every* intention of rereading Jane Eyre before tackling this literary spin-off, Jane Eyre's Daughter. I've only read Eyre once, and that was way back in the fall of 2001. [You know, the semester that was difficult both personally (grandfather's death) and nationally (9/11).] And I still *plan* on rereading it if there's time this fall. It made it to several challenge lists including Carl's R.I.P. III. But when I got the email from the publisher saying that I should post my review as soon as possible, I decided that it was not the time to go traipsing down memory lane just because I'm a perfectionist.
What can I say about Jane Eyre's Daughter. The style. One of the reasons I'd hoped to reread the original was so that I could compare the two styles. To see if this one attempted to echo the original in literary style. I can't be the judge of that (at least not yet.) But I can talk about it all on its own. I found the style to be purposefully put-offish. Let me rephrase that if I can. The narrator has a definite attitude, a definite flair that could be put-offish if you were to meet her in real life. She's definitely not meek or weak or waiting for Prince Charming. So that's what I meant, the narrative reflects the narrator. The style seems to be a distancing one. It's written in first person past tense, and that in and of itself creates distance between the reader and the characters or the reader and the action. As such the action isn't immediate either. What we're "reading" is a reflective narrative. We're being fed a story. Perhaps passively aggressively.
The characters. I liked elements of Janet's character. Was put off by some other elements. Found the family scenario to be odd if I'm quite honest. Which might be expected. Jane Eyre definitely was surrounded by dysfunction. And Mr. Rochester was definitely one odd guy--with good reason. So perhaps it's only natural that instead of a normal, loving family we've got one that has some flaws.
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
This is just a minor spoiler, so maybe you're brave enough to keep reading. One of the major "ick" factors in this book is Freudian in nature. Janet Rochester seems to be--and conscious of it too--in love with her father. She sees him as the perfect, perfect man. She imagines what it would be like to be in bed with her father, to be held in his arms. In other words, she wishes she was her mother. The man she ultimately falls for in fact is a man who looks to be an exact copy of her dear old dad. So much is this resemblance that she thinks for a good many chapters that he might be her half-brother. Still she loves him anyway. The scenes where she gushes about her father in a very romantic, almost sensual way were very squirmily icky.
End of Minor Spoiler.
Her relationship with her mother. Jane Eyre is shown to be a loving mother...except when it comes to her daughter. She loves her son, adores her son. He's her constant companion. But Jane Eyre just can't seem to like her daughter. Can't seem to love her daughter. As her daughter matures, she senses that she has a would-be rival for her husband's affections. She's jealous of any time they spend together. So she's very uptight and distant (read that *bitchy*) with her daughter, and a bit doting and overprotective of her son. His name is Oliver by the way.
But her parents are really very minor characters. Almost immediately, the whole Rochester family--minus the daughter--is tossed out of the book and sent on an extended round-the-world vacation. They essentially pack up everything, lease Thornfield, and tell their daughter..."we'll be back in three or four years. Don't get married until you're twenty-one." She's fifteen (maybe sixteen) when they leave. She's first sent to boarding school. Then sent to live with Colonel Dent after she graduates from finishing school.
The tone of Jane Eyre's Daughter is sufficiently gothic. There are secrets, lies, mysteries, romance, and a general uncomfortableness that feels appropriate for this Bronte spin-off. The mystery isn't as spectacularly shocking as the big reveal in Jane Eyre--crazy woman in attic--but the well-intentioned echo (this time in Colonel Dent's home) is intriguing in its own way.
I won't go into all the details, but it was a semi-satisfying read. I think it was well written, but for me, I didn't like some of the places this novel went. I think other readers might enjoy it more. Especially for fans of gothic romance with spooky settings and creepy tones. (Though I must applaud the fact that at least it wasn't sexually graphic. It could have been much much worse.) It was better than I expected.
October 25, 2015
I enjoyed the first 92 pages for the most part, after that, trying to finish the book became a task that I was not thrilled with completing.
One of the things that bothered me was the portrayal of Jane, I simply could not imagine Jane Eyre behaving the way the book described. I don't find it in character that Jane would have made her preference for her son over her daughter known, I don't think that would have been the case in the first place, particularly not for the reasons the daughter suggested.
According to Janet, Jane saw her as a rival for Edward's attention and affection and behaved more as a jealous woman than a mother. As Janet's body continued to develop, the problem seemed to grow worse. I did not take too well to the idea that Janet's blossoming figure was the reason why Jane seemed to resent her presence, that implies that she must have thought Edward was attracted to his own daughter.
I also did not enjoy Janet's obsession with her father, and the fact that she imagined what it must be like to lie in his arms at night. There were various occasions where Janet worried that she would never marry because there was no man exactly like her father. (Who would want to marry a man that was EXACTLY like their father both in personality and in looks?)
Jane and Edward and Janet's older brother Oliver don't really have a voice in the story; they are all sort of just there. When Janet goes off to school, things were a bit more entertaining, but her school years felt rushed and undeveloped.
It is when Janet leaves school that the book begins to hit the skids, there were some interesting bits with Sir Hugo and Alicia, but it wasn't long before I didn't care about any of it. I didn't care to find out why things were being hidden, or what Janet would do next, or what anyone else would do next.
One of the things that bothered me was the portrayal of Jane, I simply could not imagine Jane Eyre behaving the way the book described. I don't find it in character that Jane would have made her preference for her son over her daughter known, I don't think that would have been the case in the first place, particularly not for the reasons the daughter suggested.
According to Janet, Jane saw her as a rival for Edward's attention and affection and behaved more as a jealous woman than a mother. As Janet's body continued to develop, the problem seemed to grow worse. I did not take too well to the idea that Janet's blossoming figure was the reason why Jane seemed to resent her presence, that implies that she must have thought Edward was attracted to his own daughter.
I also did not enjoy Janet's obsession with her father, and the fact that she imagined what it must be like to lie in his arms at night. There were various occasions where Janet worried that she would never marry because there was no man exactly like her father. (Who would want to marry a man that was EXACTLY like their father both in personality and in looks?)
Jane and Edward and Janet's older brother Oliver don't really have a voice in the story; they are all sort of just there. When Janet goes off to school, things were a bit more entertaining, but her school years felt rushed and undeveloped.
It is when Janet leaves school that the book begins to hit the skids, there were some interesting bits with Sir Hugo and Alicia, but it wasn't long before I didn't care about any of it. I didn't care to find out why things were being hidden, or what Janet would do next, or what anyone else would do next.
August 21, 2014
Era uno straniero alto ed elegante... Amare qualcuno con devozione significava volerlo accanto,volerlo sempre vicino,scambiarsi mille piccole carezze ogni giorno,lasciare che le dita si cerchino,le braccia si sfiorino che le parole vengano pronunciate sotto voce e con dolcezza perché,anche in una folla,sono destinate a una persona s ... (continua)
Amare qualcuno con devozione significava volerlo accanto,volerlo sempre vicino,scambiarsi mille piccole carezze ogni giorno,lasciare che le dita si cerchino,le braccia si sfiorino che le parole vengano pronunciate sotto voce e con dolcezza perché,anche in una folla,sono destinate a una persona sola.
Capii che quella casa non era più la stessa.La sua vigilata quiete era stata violata.A Highcrest aveva fatto irruzione un elemento nuovo,un vento in arrivo dalla brughiera,freddo,penetrante e selvaggio,come il grido di un falco.
Quando nasci da un grande amore puoi accontentarti di una storia d'amore scialba,scontata,magari decisa precedentemente?Janet Eyre Ronchester testimone dell'amore tra i suoi genitori vuole "cercare qualcuno che si combini a lei come un guanto,nella mente e nel corpo",ha inizio così una storia avvincente,un ottimo sequel in cui la figlia Jane crescerà e cercherà di realizzare i suoi sogni,d'altra parte ha ereditato la forza di volontà,il coraggio della madre.Stile scorrevole,che si incastra perfettamente con il Jane Eyre che tutte amiamo,ho sempre timore dei sequel,ma questo davvero ti conquista.Consigliato!
Amare qualcuno con devozione significava volerlo accanto,volerlo sempre vicino,scambiarsi mille piccole carezze ogni giorno,lasciare che le dita si cerchino,le braccia si sfiorino che le parole vengano pronunciate sotto voce e con dolcezza perché,anche in una folla,sono destinate a una persona sola.
Capii che quella casa non era più la stessa.La sua vigilata quiete era stata violata.A Highcrest aveva fatto irruzione un elemento nuovo,un vento in arrivo dalla brughiera,freddo,penetrante e selvaggio,come il grido di un falco.
Quando nasci da un grande amore puoi accontentarti di una storia d'amore scialba,scontata,magari decisa precedentemente?Janet Eyre Ronchester testimone dell'amore tra i suoi genitori vuole "cercare qualcuno che si combini a lei come un guanto,nella mente e nel corpo",ha inizio così una storia avvincente,un ottimo sequel in cui la figlia Jane crescerà e cercherà di realizzare i suoi sogni,d'altra parte ha ereditato la forza di volontà,il coraggio della madre.Stile scorrevole,che si incastra perfettamente con il Jane Eyre che tutte amiamo,ho sempre timore dei sequel,ma questo davvero ti conquista.Consigliato!
June 25, 2018
Questo è il primo "sequel" di un grande classico che leggo, anche perchè non so quanti ne abbiano fatto, ovviamente non può proprio considerarsi un sequel non essendo stato scritto da Charlotte Bronte, però mi è piaciuto molto.
Parte lento con una breve inquadratura della storia di Jane da dove è finito il libro, ci spiegano anche il destino di Adele, delle conseguenze dell'incendio su Rochester, però adesso che ci penso non spiegano che fine ha fatto la signora Fairfax o me lo sono persa? Una narrazione densa di eventi, misteriosi rumori, parenti ritrovati, ricordano le atmosfere di Jane Eyre, l'incontro tra Janet e Roderick assomiglia molto a quello tra i suoi genitori, c'è stato anche un tocco di thriller, anche con il naufragio dei genitori e il fratello di Janet.
L'unica cosa che non mi è piaciuta è come viene descritto il rapporto tra Jane e Janet, dicendo che non dimostrava molto affetto a lei come a suo fratello, nonostante lei alla madre le volesse molto bene, Janet così si trovava meglio con il padre.
Il finale l'ho trovato molto sbrigativo, passiamo dal "rapimento" di Janet da parte del signor Hugo al ritorno dei genitori di Janet, al suo matrimonio e bam ci dicono già che lei è felicemente sposato con tre figli. Troppo velocizzato second me.
Parte lento con una breve inquadratura della storia di Jane da dove è finito il libro, ci spiegano anche il destino di Adele, delle conseguenze dell'incendio su Rochester, però adesso che ci penso non spiegano che fine ha fatto la signora Fairfax o me lo sono persa? Una narrazione densa di eventi, misteriosi rumori, parenti ritrovati, ricordano le atmosfere di Jane Eyre, l'incontro tra Janet e Roderick assomiglia molto a quello tra i suoi genitori, c'è stato anche un tocco di thriller, anche con il naufragio dei genitori e il fratello di Janet.
L'unica cosa che non mi è piaciuta è come viene descritto il rapporto tra Jane e Janet, dicendo che non dimostrava molto affetto a lei come a suo fratello, nonostante lei alla madre le volesse molto bene, Janet così si trovava meglio con il padre.
Il finale l'ho trovato molto sbrigativo, passiamo dal "rapimento" di Janet da parte del signor Hugo al ritorno dei genitori di Janet, al suo matrimonio e bam ci dicono già che lei è felicemente sposato con tre figli. Troppo velocizzato second me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2011
Let's get the most important issue out first. This Jane Eyre sequel is nowhere near the original book. So if you're a die-hard fan of the original novel, let this be. If you can forget Charlotte Brönte, then you'll find that this book is a quick and nice read, which succeeds pretty well in conveying the atmosphere of a gothic novel.
I think that the book is also successfull because Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester do not appear much. I think it would have been difficult to keep them faithful to the original for the whole novel, so they disappear pretty early in the story and leave Janet Rochester as the only protagonist of the story.
There are also characters that come back from the original book: from Miss Temple to the Ingrams (as un-likeable as always), which keep alive the feeling that we're reading about Jane Eyre.
The plot echoes Jane Eyre's: a big house with a forbidden wing, mysterious voices in the night... And a love interest that might be forbidden for Janet.
I think that the book is also successfull because Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester do not appear much. I think it would have been difficult to keep them faithful to the original for the whole novel, so they disappear pretty early in the story and leave Janet Rochester as the only protagonist of the story.
There are also characters that come back from the original book: from Miss Temple to the Ingrams (as un-likeable as always), which keep alive the feeling that we're reading about Jane Eyre.
The plot echoes Jane Eyre's: a big house with a forbidden wing, mysterious voices in the night... And a love interest that might be forbidden for Janet.
August 3, 2015
If you like the gothic style of Jane Eyre then you will probably like this book. The style is very similar and the plot line shares some similarities. In this sequel Mr. and Mrs. Rochester decide to take their son on a trip to the West Indies and around the rest of the planet leaving their younger daughter behind to finish her schooling. Their daughter, Janet, finishes school and moves in with a family friend and neighbor, her guardian Colonel Dent, while Thornfield is let until the Rochesters return. While she is there she unearths a few secrets from both the Colonel's family and her own. It moves a bit slowly in the beginning then races to a conclusion in the end and in places there is a lot of build up to an anticlimactic reveal. On the whole I enjoyed reading this book and I liked the way it ended. If you really love the book Jane Eyre you may not want to read this sequel, otherwise I recommend it.
April 10, 2011
Un pastiche letterario con gli ovvi riferimenti a Jane Eyre, di cui ricalca le atmosfere gotiche, oltre a riprenderne, ovviamente, i personaggi e lo stile (Perché sì, caro lettore, alla fine lo sposai). Molte citazioni sono state tratte anche da Shirley; inoltre ho trovato molti parallelismi con Cime Tempestose, nella descrizione del paesaggio e del misterioso personaggio di Roderick Landless, descritto quasi come un Heathcliff. Secondo me anche i romanzi di Frances Hodgson Burnett (Il Giardino Segreto e La Piccola Principessa) sono stati una fonte d'ispirazione.
Nel corso del romanzo vengono citati numerosi capolavori letterari, tra cui il mio adorato Orgoglio e Pregiudizio (Charlotte Brontë si sarà rivoltata nella tomba?)
Una lettura molto gradevole per tornare nell'atmosfera ottocentesca dei romanzi delle sorelle Brontë.
Nel corso del romanzo vengono citati numerosi capolavori letterari, tra cui il mio adorato Orgoglio e Pregiudizio (Charlotte Brontë si sarà rivoltata nella tomba?)
Una lettura molto gradevole per tornare nell'atmosfera ottocentesca dei romanzi delle sorelle Brontë.
April 9, 2013
Ok, ormai è chiaro... questo genere mi fa impazzire, quindi rischio davvero di non esser più credibile. Facendo qualche ricerchino su internet ho scoperto che questi particolari sequel di super classici si chiamano pastiches letterari, e che in America hanno un successo straordinario, mentre qui in Italia, con il ritardo che ci contraddistingue, stanno ora cominciando ad attecchire.
Comunque questa figlia di Jane Eyre è la degna erede di sua madre, e la scrittrice Elizabeth Newark è molto brava nel tenere alta la voglia di andare avanti. Finale lieto che naturalmente non guasta.
è bello leggere la descrizione di Jane Eyre ormai sposata con il suo amato Rochester, e madre di due figli. Davvero... ben fatto!
Cercherò altri pastiches letterari... :)
Comunque questa figlia di Jane Eyre è la degna erede di sua madre, e la scrittrice Elizabeth Newark è molto brava nel tenere alta la voglia di andare avanti. Finale lieto che naturalmente non guasta.
è bello leggere la descrizione di Jane Eyre ormai sposata con il suo amato Rochester, e madre di due figli. Davvero... ben fatto!
Cercherò altri pastiches letterari... :)
January 8, 2017
Ho trovato la lettura di questo libro piuttosto pacata, almeno in gran parte, in quanto sul finale si fa più incalzante.
Il testo è narrato con attenzione e con un linguaggio elegante e raffinato, attinente all'epoca in cui è ambientato.
Con particolare dovizia vengono descritte le figure dei genitori di Janet, nonché le varie ambientazioni.
La nostra protagonista appare come una vera e propria ribelle scapestrata, devo ammettere che a volte concordavo con il colonnello Dent, Janet si metteva troppo spesso nei guai, dimenticandosi la sua posizione e gli atteggiamenti consoni a una fanciulla.
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.it/20...
Il testo è narrato con attenzione e con un linguaggio elegante e raffinato, attinente all'epoca in cui è ambientato.
Con particolare dovizia vengono descritte le figure dei genitori di Janet, nonché le varie ambientazioni.
La nostra protagonista appare come una vera e propria ribelle scapestrata, devo ammettere che a volte concordavo con il colonnello Dent, Janet si metteva troppo spesso nei guai, dimenticandosi la sua posizione e gli atteggiamenti consoni a una fanciulla.
Recensione: http://chelibroleggere.blogspot.it/20...
December 15, 2008
Jane Eyre is probably my all-time favorite book. It is definitely in the top 5. So I was excited to read this book. It was written well, held my attention but I was a little taken aback on how much it copied the original story of Jane Eyre, sometimes unbelievingly so. I also didn't like the idea of Jane Eyre being a harsh mother as she is in the beginning of the book. Still, it was nice to visit Thornfield again.
September 17, 2009
Though a little slow in beginning, this book picked up speed as it went along and was altogether irresistible to any lover of the original, capturing as it did the spirit, the tone and the characterizations of it. Of course this makes it only a clever pastiche, but an amusing one nevertheless, and one that sped up the heartbeat as the end approached. I loaned my copy to another Jane Eyre lover with the promise that she, too would pass it on and it would continue to make the rounds.
July 29, 2011
I had high hopes for this book because I love 'Jane Eyre' so much and I was a little disappointed. Newark took the themes from 'Jane Eyre' and just inserted them into the life of Jane and Rochester's daughter....there really wasn't any originality. There was also a lot of time that passed with little growth to the story. Everything seemed to come together at the end but it was very predictable.
July 24, 2017
As I've said before. Novels based on classic novels are to be approached with caution. There are some real stinkers out there. However, this one did not disappoint. It is an enjoyable read for someone who has read Jane Eyre (a few times) and would be enjoyable for someone who hasn't read it. The story builds on Jane Eyre, while being strong on it's own. I read this book in one day. It is definitely worth a try if you want a modern novel based on a classic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews