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Born not in a past of corsets and bonnets but into a future of cloning and bioterror, could Jane Eyre survive? This Jane is an “unclaimed embryo,” the living mistake of a reproductive rights center–or so her foster family tells her. At age ten she is sold into slavery as a data mule, and she must fight for freedom and identity in a world mired between bioscientific progress and the religions that fear it.
117 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2016
20 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
Erin McCole Cupp
9 books38 followersErin McCole Cupp is a wife, mother, and lay Dominican who lives with her family of vertebrates somewhere out in the middle of Nowhere, Pennsylvania. Her short writing has appeared in Our Sunday Visitor, Canticle Magazine, The Catholic Standard and Times, Parents, The Philadelphia City Paper, The White Shoe Irregular, Outer Darkness Magazine, and the newsletter of her children’s playgroup. She is a contributor to CatholicMom.com and has been a guest blogger for OSV Newsweekly, The National Catholic Register, Integrity Restored, Tekton Ministries, and the Catholic Writers Guild. Her other professional experiences include acting, costuming, directing, youth ministry, international scholar advising, and waiting tables. When Erin is not writing, cooking or parenting, she can be found reading, birding, dancing historical, singing a bit too loudly, sewing for people she loves, gardening in spite of herself, or dragging loved ones to visitors centers. Erin’s books are available on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 15, 2018
This book, the first in a trilogy about Jane E., is a futuristic retelling of the classic Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane Eyre. I really liked the future details the author has imagined. The main character, Jane E, who is technically classified as an unclaimed embryo, is fabulous. This character who has no family and is alone in the world was so wonderful. I was rooting for her from the very first page and cared more and more for her through each challenge she faced. This is the second book that I’ve read by this author and thoroughly enjoy her writing style. Great book!
March 6, 2017
After I finished Jane Eyre for the first time in January, I thought what better time than now to finally read Unclaimed? It had been sitting in my Kindle queue since its release last summer, but I wanted to wait until after I'd read the original story before diving into a retelling.
Unclaimed introduces us to Jane E, an unclaimed embryo being raised as a foster child by the VanDeer family. Mrs. VanDeer is fairly wealthy and her three biological children receive the best she can afford, but she loathes Jane and supplies her with only the bare minimum. After Jane snaps under the abuse of her foster siblings and fights back, Mrs. VanDeer essentially sells her to the Naomi Foundation, a mysterious organization located in India, where she becomes a data mule.
The world in which Jane E lives is a scary one. Certain religions are outlawed and special interest groups seem to rule the world, with most incomes, healthcare services, and other benefits of society come only with belonging to an INGO. Everything from purchasing power to the ability to enter buildings depends on having the right identification. Bioethics seems to have disappeared completely as human cloning, frivolous genetic re-keying, and suicide-on-demand services are considered banal. We don't see much of a dictatorial government, although we feel the weight of uncertainty and mistrust as Jane navigates the world around her. Much like the Victorian Era of the original Jane, society seems to oppress itself into submission.
I had my doubts as to how Jane Eyre, a classic and beautiful but very dated and time-specific story, could be transplanted to the future, those doubts proved to be fruitless. While a little slow-starting (much like the original), Unclaimed is unique and exemplifies why Charlotte Bronte's gothic romance transcends the bounds of time and place to form universal truths. Usually, futuristic/dystopian stories spend a good deal of time explaining the society in great detail. Erin McCole Cupp sidesteps this technique and instead reveals her world slowly through context. There is almost no exposition, which leaves the reader curious and eager to learn more. A few times I wished she would explain things further, but for the most part this worked to the book's advantage. On to Nameless!
Unclaimed introduces us to Jane E, an unclaimed embryo being raised as a foster child by the VanDeer family. Mrs. VanDeer is fairly wealthy and her three biological children receive the best she can afford, but she loathes Jane and supplies her with only the bare minimum. After Jane snaps under the abuse of her foster siblings and fights back, Mrs. VanDeer essentially sells her to the Naomi Foundation, a mysterious organization located in India, where she becomes a data mule.
The world in which Jane E lives is a scary one. Certain religions are outlawed and special interest groups seem to rule the world, with most incomes, healthcare services, and other benefits of society come only with belonging to an INGO. Everything from purchasing power to the ability to enter buildings depends on having the right identification. Bioethics seems to have disappeared completely as human cloning, frivolous genetic re-keying, and suicide-on-demand services are considered banal. We don't see much of a dictatorial government, although we feel the weight of uncertainty and mistrust as Jane navigates the world around her. Much like the Victorian Era of the original Jane, society seems to oppress itself into submission.
I had my doubts as to how Jane Eyre, a classic and beautiful but very dated and time-specific story, could be transplanted to the future, those doubts proved to be fruitless. While a little slow-starting (much like the original), Unclaimed is unique and exemplifies why Charlotte Bronte's gothic romance transcends the bounds of time and place to form universal truths. Usually, futuristic/dystopian stories spend a good deal of time explaining the society in great detail. Erin McCole Cupp sidesteps this technique and instead reveals her world slowly through context. There is almost no exposition, which leaves the reader curious and eager to learn more. A few times I wished she would explain things further, but for the most part this worked to the book's advantage. On to Nameless!
July 29, 2016
This is a brave and thought-provoking story rich with vivid details and authentic, memorable characters. While very different from the fiction I normally read, Unclaimed is a highly creative and successful blending of genres. It’s like a futuristic coming-of-age Jane Eyre in a dystopian world.
As the story begins, Jane lives with a family that treats her terribly. No matter the locale or situation she finds herself in, she wants to be needed, she wants to belong, and she wants to find happiness and purpose. Will she survive to find her place in a hostile world and maybe find friends and faith along the way? Or will she forever remain unclaimed and unloved? The answers will leave you anticipating the sequel (entitled Nameless) and the next adventure in Jane’s captivating life.
Reviewed by:
Therese Heckenkamp
Christian author of Past Suspicion, Frozen Footprints, and After the Thaw
As the story begins, Jane lives with a family that treats her terribly. No matter the locale or situation she finds herself in, she wants to be needed, she wants to belong, and she wants to find happiness and purpose. Will she survive to find her place in a hostile world and maybe find friends and faith along the way? Or will she forever remain unclaimed and unloved? The answers will leave you anticipating the sequel (entitled Nameless) and the next adventure in Jane’s captivating life.
Reviewed by:
Therese Heckenkamp
Christian author of Past Suspicion, Frozen Footprints, and After the Thaw
April 28, 2017
If you needed proof that Jane Eyre by Chariotte Bronte is a timeless classic, Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan—Book 1 is it.
Erin McCole Cupp expertly re-imagines Jane as among America’s least wanted in the near future: an unclaimed embryo brought to life but unloved then laboring anonymously half a world away from home.
Interestingly, Jane’s hidden existence in a quasi school/sweatshop extends beyond merely weaving textiles, but hidden messages as well. Her only solace is the companionship of the ill Aidann, whose backstory is also modernized, and the compassion of her instructor Bhenji Nealingson.
Unclaimed takes the dear reader to Jane’s first encounter with her absentee employer Mr. Thorne in his fortress beneath the American desert.
Jane Eyre has long been a favorite of mine, and I enjoyed the first part of this retelling immensely. While appealing to the modern reader’s ear, it remains faithful to the truth of the original, even retaining the charm and tone of Bronte’s voice.
You do not, however, have to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy Jane_E. Much like the character herself, chin lifted high, it can stand on its own.
(The author is a fellow member of the Catholic Writers Guild, and I received an advance copy for my honest review.)
Erin McCole Cupp expertly re-imagines Jane as among America’s least wanted in the near future: an unclaimed embryo brought to life but unloved then laboring anonymously half a world away from home.
Interestingly, Jane’s hidden existence in a quasi school/sweatshop extends beyond merely weaving textiles, but hidden messages as well. Her only solace is the companionship of the ill Aidann, whose backstory is also modernized, and the compassion of her instructor Bhenji Nealingson.
Unclaimed takes the dear reader to Jane’s first encounter with her absentee employer Mr. Thorne in his fortress beneath the American desert.
Jane Eyre has long been a favorite of mine, and I enjoyed the first part of this retelling immensely. While appealing to the modern reader’s ear, it remains faithful to the truth of the original, even retaining the charm and tone of Bronte’s voice.
You do not, however, have to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy Jane_E. Much like the character herself, chin lifted high, it can stand on its own.
(The author is a fellow member of the Catholic Writers Guild, and I received an advance copy for my honest review.)
May 9, 2017
I love the old classics but I also love futuristic stories. "Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E." combines both elements in a fun-to-read, hard-to-put-down book. With imagination and a great writing style, Erin McCole Cupp has created a powerful futuristic story that is a real thought-provoker. Science fiction readers will love the creative futuristic elements. At times humorous and other times heart-wrenching, this story delves into issues worth considering as society advances. Having developed a strong connection to Jane E, I found myself incredibly moved by a climactic scene where faith plays out in a natural but powerful way. I can't wait to read more of Jane E.!
July 2, 2016
This dystopian spin on Jane Eyre transports the reader into a world that, disturbingly, seems just around the corner. I was captivated by Jane E’s boldness and resilience as she navigated the challenging circumstances of living with a genetic defect in a designer-gene world. Erin McCole Cupp’s novel is a blend of three genres I rarely read (19th-century novel, dystopian fiction and fanfic) and it’s definitely a combo that works.
August 2, 2022
My biggest pet peeve: this is an incomplete book. It has no ending, you must read the next book for the conclusion.
The few random breakings of the fifth wall are unnecessary and it feels like are only thrown in to create a small similarity to the original Jane Eyre. They’re jarring and the book would have been better without them.
Don’t know if I’ll read the next book.
The few random breakings of the fifth wall are unnecessary and it feels like are only thrown in to create a small similarity to the original Jane Eyre. They’re jarring and the book would have been better without them.
Don’t know if I’ll read the next book.
February 12, 2017
Jane Eyre might be my favorite piece of literature. This re-telling is magic. The author captures the brilliance of Bronté while re-imagining the setting and folding in bioethical issues we'll likely face in the future.
January 24, 2025
An interesting futuristic retelling of Jane Eyre that covers her childhood to meeting Mr. Thorne/Rochester. Debating whether to continue reading the trilogy…
July 8, 2016
After reading Erin McCole Cupp's novel "Don't You Forget About Me," I knew I wanted to read her other works. In "Unclaimed" the author offers a gripping retelling of the classic Jane Eyre that drew me in immediately. True (and embarrassing) confession here: I have never read Bronte's original, though I have seen three film versions. I truly believe you do not need to be familiar with the original, as the characters and plot have so much to offer here. This updated story weaves futuristic themes with timeless struggles of the heart. Having been a foster parent for eight years, I connected with Jane E's longing for acceptance and authentic love, and felt the weight of so many injustices she experienced. I could sense the environment...sights, sounds, even smells...through the author's wonderful use of richly descriptive language. Her prose is why I like to read so much more than watch films! I feel that I am transported to another world; laughing, crying, even shuddering at the language of bullies and the putrid smells of an inhumane sweat shop.
This first installment of "Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan" challenges us to think about how we look at humanity. Do we seek perfection, productivity? Or do we value virtue and vulnerability? Even though I know how the classic story ends, I am waiting anxiously for the next installment of "Unclaimed." This was a fantastic read!
This first installment of "Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan" challenges us to think about how we look at humanity. Do we seek perfection, productivity? Or do we value virtue and vulnerability? Even though I know how the classic story ends, I am waiting anxiously for the next installment of "Unclaimed." This was a fantastic read!
August 7, 2016
"Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan" by Erin McCole Cupp is the first of three installments of a trilogy that takes the timeless classic, "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte, into a futuristic spin.
When we first meet Jane E, she is an unclaimed embryo in an unloving foster home setting. Upon seeking emancipation, she is taken half-way around the world where conditions are grueling. Part I concludes as Jane E settles into yet another world—a hidden residence underneath the desert—where she is hired by an absentee employer to be a tutor for a child he has taken in.
Throughout this book, I am impressed with the very likable Jane E, and my heart aches that she is considered so unwanted. It is as if I want to jump into the book to claim her as my own child. Jane is heroic and persevering. She faces the challenges that come her way with acceptance, grace, and determination.
Erin McCole Cupp writes a very believable character, and her descriptions, while in the future, are rather realistic. I cannot wait for Part II and III, which will be released later this year.
When we first meet Jane E, she is an unclaimed embryo in an unloving foster home setting. Upon seeking emancipation, she is taken half-way around the world where conditions are grueling. Part I concludes as Jane E settles into yet another world—a hidden residence underneath the desert—where she is hired by an absentee employer to be a tutor for a child he has taken in.
Throughout this book, I am impressed with the very likable Jane E, and my heart aches that she is considered so unwanted. It is as if I want to jump into the book to claim her as my own child. Jane is heroic and persevering. She faces the challenges that come her way with acceptance, grace, and determination.
Erin McCole Cupp writes a very believable character, and her descriptions, while in the future, are rather realistic. I cannot wait for Part II and III, which will be released later this year.
April 11, 2016
Unclaimed by Erin McCole Cupp is a very interesting tale of a girl who is not wanted by her foster family. Her foster siblings have abused her and their mother blames her for everything her kids do. Tired of the power struggles with the girl, she sells her to an institution that promotes slavery. The reader will follow along as she learns how to survive in her new setting and share the struggles she goes through.
I really enjoyed the story because it was quite different from anything out there right now; the setting, the voice and the story. Though, it was that it was a bit slow for me. All in all; the book is clean, has a good story, good characters and will be loved by readers of all ages--especially middle graders. It will be a good addition to any library or home.
I really enjoyed the story because it was quite different from anything out there right now; the setting, the voice and the story. Though, it was that it was a bit slow for me. All in all; the book is clean, has a good story, good characters and will be loved by readers of all ages--especially middle graders. It will be a good addition to any library or home.
May 6, 2016
Jane E is a dystopian sci-fi take on Charlotte Bronte’s well-loved gothic/romantic novel. Jane Eyre, as a person and as a story, translates well into a new setting -- a near-future cultural mélange that will make Browncoats smile while Bronte lovers nod along to the beat.
Erin McCole Cupp has got something here. With barely a bump in a smoothly-written narrative, she combines faith and philosophy with a familiar-but-new story and delivers an ending that’s a pleasantly cruel tease of the gothic that will leave fans checking the release date of the next volume.
Erin McCole Cupp has got something here. With barely a bump in a smoothly-written narrative, she combines faith and philosophy with a familiar-but-new story and delivers an ending that’s a pleasantly cruel tease of the gothic that will leave fans checking the release date of the next volume.
September 16, 2020
Erin McCole Cupp has a gift for painting the social misfit in brush strokes so sharp and transparent, they cut you to the heart within a handful of paragraphs. Jane E is infinitely relatable and her world so meticulously drawn, it seems like a world you know, even though it's clearly not. I devoured this book and wait breathlessly for the next installment.
April 24, 2017
I wasn't excited but I did read all the way through. Some very clever invention and good writing.
July 13, 2017
This book was somewhat interesting. However I can only see it's conclusion as a love story. I'm considering B2
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews