Misters Ročesters

by Sarah Shoemaker

Sāras Šūmeikeres romāns "Misters Ročesters". Kopš Šarlotes Brontē klasiskā romāna “Džeina Eira” iznākšanas pagājuši vairāk nekā 170 gadi, bet noslēpumainais, pievilcīgais, vīrišķīgais Edvards Ročesters jeb misters Ročesters aizvien vēl apbur jaunas lasītāju paaudzes. Ročesters atzīts arī par visu laiku visromantiskāko literāro varoni, par viņu sarakstīti neskaitāmi pētījumi, referāti un izteikti vispārsteidzošākie minējumi. Bet viņa paša stāsts nekad nav ticis izstāstīts. Kāds viņš bija patiesībā? Ko Džeina viņā saskatīja? Atbildi, iespējams, sniegs Sāras Šūmeikeres veiklais un saistošais labi zināmo notikumu pārstāsts no mistera Ročestera skatpunkta.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Retellings, Historical, Audiobook, British Literature

495 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2017

About the author

Sarah Shoemaker grew up in a suburb of Chicago and now lives in a little village in northern Michigan. When she was in the third grade, she knew she wanted to be a writer, but it has been a long and circuitous path to get there. She has been a teacher, a wife, a stay-at-home mom, a librarian and, finally, a published writer.
CHILDREN OF THE CATASTROPHE is her most recent book. Coming out September 6, 2022, it is a historical novel about family, about love and loss, and about courage and survival. Her previous novel, MR. ROCHESTER, told the story of the strange, sometimes imperious, sometimes playful, man that Jane Eyre fell in love with. In the case if both books, Sarah has written stories that she herself would want to read. As Toni Morrison wrote: "If you really want to read a book but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

Reviews

[Jaidee · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Dear Reader- I adore Edward Fairfax Rochester" stars !!

4th Favorite Read of 2017 (Tie)

I came to Jane Eyre very late in life at the age of 42 (2013) and simply loved that novel. Like Ms. Eyre I fell madly in love with Mr. Rochester. I had read Wide Sargasso Sea ( a prequel to Jane Eyre written in the 1960s by Jean Rhys) about 26 years ago and am re-reading currently to see if it is as magical to me now as it was at the age of 20.

I was ecstatic when I found out that a book had come out depicting Rochester's life and wanted to read it pronto. It did not even make my short list of to be read. I purchased it and went directly to it as I had been away from Rochester for way too long.

Ms. Shoemaker has channeled Mr. Rochester to such an uncanny degree that I could not have created or dreamed a better likeness. Absolutely remarkable. I took a very long time to read this book as I immersed myself in it slowly and savored and emoted throughout.

Ms. Shoemaker stays very true to the original and writes beautifully, persuasively, elegantly and the book moved me so many times to tears, compassion and a fair bit of swooning.

Rochester is such a complex man full of contradictions that make him sympathetic, frustrating and truth be told damn sexy. The book is divided into three parts: a neglected childhood, forcefully married in Jamaica to a madwoman with many secrets and manipulations, to philandering and wandering until he meets his angel and savior Jane Eyre. The book is full of nostalgia, yearning, mischief, cleverness, romance, intrigue and just the right amount of melodrama.

This book needs and deserves to be read much more widely. If you like romance or classics or adore Jane Eyre, hop to it, pick up this book and fall in love all over again.

Ms. Shoemaker if you were here right now I would hug you o so tight. Thank you for this marvelous novel and filling the past couple of months with the times and history of that most wonderful romantic hero, Rochester.

Jaidee Rochester, yes I like the sound of that ;)

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars ⭐️ Look at that beautiful cover!! 💕🌸

Omg! This book!! I felt so bad for Edward through the whole damn book.



This was a coming of age story of his life and so many people he met along the way were so wonderful! I loved them!! But, I couldn’t stand his father and brother. Ye gods though! There was soooo much tragedy I can even stand it! Thank God for Jane and that ending!!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's hear it for some Brontë fan fiction!

Mr. Rochester is a historical novel that tells the story of Jane Eyre from Edward Rochester's point of view. I love JE, so when I saw this book on the New Fiction shelf at the library, I took a chance and checked it out. I was curious to see how the author handled such a beloved work of English literature.

Answer: She did OK! My favorite part of the book was the first half, showing Edward's childhood and his early experiences in business and romance. His time spent in Jamaica was especially interesting, and I liked the description of his unusual education at a boys' school and the friends he made there. The author also did a good job showing how lonely Edward was, and the cruelty and neglect he suffered from his father and brother. The reader can sympathize with Edward and appreciate why he cherished Jane so much.

Once Rochester met our famous heroine, though, I would have rather been reading Jane Eyre. It's not that this section was badly written, it just didn't add much to the original novel.

I think historical fiction is an especially tricky genre to write, because there's a fine line between the author doing good research on the period and including too much detail in the text. There are a few times in this book that it felt like the writer was announcing, "I did my research! That's a real historical thing!" But overall I enjoyed Mr. Rochester and it was a pleasant vacation read. It also made me want to reread Jane Eyre.

Opening Paragraph
"I know little of my birth, for my mother died long before she could tell me — before I ever heard her voice or gazed at her face — and my father banished the woman who helped deliver me, blaming her for my mother's death. Of course, my father himself had no interest in telling me the least part of it, even if he did remember, which he almost certainly did not. There was no room for sentiment in my father's existence. Although my mother had proved her worth by providing him with two healthy boys, he would still have considered it a waste to lose a good broodmare."

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Sarah Shoemaker,
Thank you! You're awesome! May the bestsellers list reign down upon you!

A few months back I think one of my Goodsreads pals was reviewing this book and it sent me racing over to the NetGalley page to request this book. But I made myself wait until May to read it because as happens, book anxiety set in and I chewed my fingernails nervously worried that I just wouldn't like it. Truth is- I didn't like it! I LOVED IT! This was so much better than Wide Sargasso Sea, a statement that I am sure will rise ire in some( hold the pitchforks, please!), but personally for me it is true.

Sarah Shoemaker introduces us to motherless, Edward Fairfax Rochester, second son to a shipping tradesman, more comfortable with the servants at Thornfield Hall than with older brother, Rowland, and his father. Edward's life is quite lonely and he is sent away from the family home to receive an education and lacks any knowledge of the life his father has carved out for him. Although Edward makes friends, his attachments are always short and his loneliness continues as he grows up. Thornfield Hall always lingers in his mind, but soon his older brother dashes his hopes that it will ever be Edward's true home. Although Edward does find some happiness working at a trade mill, it isn't long before his father sends him to the Rochester holdings in Jamaica. It is there that he meets Bertha Mason and where the tale becomes familiar to all of us Jane Eyre fans. Jane, herself, doesn't enter the story until well into 60% of the book, but by then I had already fallen head over heels for Shoemaker's depiction of Mr. Rochester.

Absolutely everything I could ever have hoped for as a reader! I first read Jane Eyre at the age of 19 and I have long been curious to hear what Mr. Rochester had to say for himself. I highly recommend this for all the Jane Eyre fans out there!

Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an uncorrected digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this novel off NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not persuade my opinion of the novel.

3 stars

Let me first say, this was not a bad book - not by any means - so don't be deterred to read it because of my average rating. This novel was well written, it had everything that was important to include in a decent read (likable characters, smooth writing, good story, etc.), but yet, it was just so ... boring.

I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood to read it, however, from chapter one I felt exceedingly uninterested and immensely tired. Which baffles me, since the writing and everything else was executed so well!

Overall, I will definitely come back to this - because my rating just doesn't feel right. There was nothing lacking with this novel, except my lack of of interest with it - but that's solely on me.

Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to review this!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars — I spent my summer with Mr. Edward Rochester, and it was lovely. I received an eBook copy from the publisher through NetGalley, though I listened to most of it on audio from the library. (Wonderful narration by Simon Shepherd!)

MR. ROCHESTER is an engrossing tale about Jane Eyre's Gothic hero, a re-imagining from his point of view, but mostly about his life leading up to Jane. The writing is gorgeous, and I feel like it is complementary to the original.

Edward is sent away to school at a young age, away from Thornfield Hall, the home he dearly loves. His father then sends him to Jamaica to take over the family's business holdings there, where he meets Bertha Mason, his first wife. The story of Bertha's life and madness, and the effect it had on Edward was fascinating. Eventually he returns to England where he meets Jane, and from there we hear his side of their love story.

This is a well-written piece of historical fiction, and I greatly enjoyed the author's vision of Mr. Rochester, and seeing how his turbulent past shaped the man he became.

[Retired Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best I’ve read all year! The Jane Eyre story, but from Edward Rochester’s point of view. It spans from his childhood through the story of Jane, and we finally know the in-depth details of his first marriage, his ward Adele, and so on. Brilliant!

[Dannii Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I discovered this was a retelling of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre from the perspective of the infamous anti-hero, Edward Fairfox Rochester, I was equal parts as dubious as I was excited. How could a modern writer compare to one of the most infamous authors of all-time? Within a few pages every doubt and fear were assuaged and I was convinced that this was a writer who could do both the original author, and her world-renowned characters, justice.

This is, as the title suggests, the life story of Mr Rochester. In part one the reader is given an insight into his childhood life overshadowed by a boisterous older brother and grieving over his distant father, before spending his teen years in the care of various other instructors in preparation for the, as yet unknown, future plans his father has for him. Part two sees the plans come to fruition and Rochester leaves blustery England for tropical Jamaica. This bears many similarities and yet tells a very different story, to another Jane Eyre retelling, Wide Sargasso Sea. Part three chronicles his return to Britain, and his childhood home, and is the portion that parallels the events of Jane Eyre.

It was interesting to see the equalled reviled as romanticised character able to give his own voice to events. Sharing his entire life story meant the reader was able to understand how the lonely boy became the remote man and it gave reasons for this transition.

The author has left enough of the original story intact, without this merely being a repetition of events. It managed to feel both authentic to Bronte's vision as well as adding something entirely the author's own. The amalgamation of the known with the unknown meant this felt instantly beloved; it felt both like returning to an old favourite whilst maintaining the excitement of falling in love with that favourite for the very first time.

A received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Sarah Shoemaker, and the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, for this opportunity.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because I enjoyed the first half of the book so much. The author remained very true to Brontë’s Jane Eyre and even managed to incorporate aspects of Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea. I have to admire that!

The first half of the book, dealing with Edward Fairfax Rochester’s life before he meets his Jane, was the most enjoyable for me. I loved the back-story that Ms. Shoemaker created for him—the vulnerable, sensitive little boy who missed his mother and was ignored by his father. She obviously spent a great deal of time on the question, “What made Mr. Rochester into the man who met Jane Eyre?”

Once Jane appears in this text, however, there are constraints. You don’t mess with the Jane Eyre story, after all. For me, things changed at this point. Instead of the colourful, free painting that Shoemaker began with, she was reduced to paint-by-number. She introduced some interesting ideas that aren’t in Brontë’s original, but then has to wrap them up swiftly and neatly in order to fit into the accepted canon.

In short, very true to the original work and another interesting look at an old favourite.

[Elizabeth George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the heck out of this book. The author maintains Mr. Rochester's voice beautifully, and both time and place are beautifully rendered. The story is entirely Mr. Rochester's, covering his life from childhood to "Reader, I married her," with Jane Eyre coming along in the last quarter of the book. Bertha's madness is completely believable and authentically dealt with. It was a total pleasure to read.

[Sheila G]

Release date 05/09/2017

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

DNFing at 30%

Man, I'm not having much luck lately.

I was a mix of nervous excitement when this book popped up on Netgalley. Seeing how Jane Eyre is my favorite book of all times , naturally, I thought this concept was enticing, because, who doesn't like the idea of delving into Mr. Rochester's complex mind from his own point of view!

However, that doesn't go without saying that I had my reservations towards it.

It's funny when something you hold near and dear to your heart, even if you had nothing to do with its existence, you naturally grow protective over it. (Me, hugging my several copies of Jane Eyre.)

This is exactly how I feel towards Jane Eyre. Because it's made its way to the top of my favorite books list, I'm wary of any retellings of this story. This is not to say that these retellings have potential; I'm simply stating that it's difficult to go into them without having preconceived ideas as to how the characters will present themselves. With a book of this magnitude and popularity, there must be some key personality similarities.

The first 30% of this book (to the point of where I called it quits) is laborious. The plot attempts to mimic Bronte's, by building a backstory for Edward Rochester. We meet Edward as a young boy, and travel with him through his many experiences with family, acquaintances, work, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't really find myself caring. I wanted to meet the mysterious and extremely complex Mr. Rochester that I grew to revere for his singularity throughout the plot of Jane Eyre.

The main problem I had with this book was that I could tell that this was written more from the perspective of a female, as Edward himself was overtly-feminine. And trust me, he's not. He was anything but in Bronte's version. His feelings, emotions, ways of speech, physiology, and the like, matched that of a rather typical womanly character. I'm not saying men aren't allowed to have these traits, but this was completely different to the Mr. Rochester that I know.

I know, you're saying, "But Sheila, Edward is really sweet and a deep thinker, and on weird levels, he "gets" women. That is what makes him so mysterious because he's not like typical male characters." Mmm...yes, but also, no. Edward is jaded, what some would call ruthless, dismal, and somewhat bipolar. This rendering of him simply missed the mark for me.

This is not to say that this book is bad. The writing was well-developed and detailed. It simply did nothing to lure me in because of the stark difference in character to what I was expecting.

Since I only made it to 30%, this could have improved later on in the book. At this point, we still haven't even met Jane Eyre and observed her from Edward's perspective. But, for now, I couldn't read anymore. Maybe I will try again sometime in the future.

My overall reaction is best put by Mr. Rochester himself:


2 stars.

This review can also be viewed on my blog: She's Going Book Crazy

[Shomeret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Grand Central, via a Goodreads giveaway in May of this year. I am sorry that I continue to be so far behind on my giveaway wins, but I am resolved to give each one an honest review.

I am actually in two minds about this book. I am a feminist who has read and loved Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys' Jane Eyre re-telling from the point of view of Rochester's wife in the attic who was denied her name. She was also denied her name in this book. She said, "Call me Antoinetta," and Sarah Shoemaker's Rochester refused. There have been too many women who have been robbed of their freedom and then labeled with a diagnosis when they found their existence unbearable. Rochester's happiness with Jane rose like a phoenix from the ashes of Antoinetta's life.

On the other hand, this is a very persuasive and sympathetic justification of Rochester. Antoinetta Mason is presented as being genuinely psychotic. He tried to do the right thing, but he couldn't be blamed for having his own needs. It's a very human dilemma. I admit that I cried for Rochester at the end of this book even though I already knew his story as it was originally told from Jane's perspective by Charlotte Bronte.

So I am torn between the retellings that I have read searching for justice, and wanting a version that could deliver a HEA for Antoinetta too.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte while in high school and loved it. I still do. I love that Jane is a governess. I love that she starts out with a tough childhood and over time finds contentment. I love the grumpy Mr. Rochester and how Jane affects him... So, as an occasional reader of (Jane Austen) fan fiction, when I saw Mr. Rochester listed on NetGalley, I jumped (a mile high) at the chance to read it in exchange for an honest review! (On the down side, I can’t include any quotes from the book without requesting permission from the publisher, which I am unwilling to do. So this is a quote-free review, even though I’d have loved to include some.)

Mr. Rochester (2017, Grand Central Publishing) is the freshman novel of Sarah Shoemaker (though she has illustrated a few books). It’s an early 1800’s historical fiction set in England - a retelling of Jane Eyre from Mr. Rochester’s point of view. Warning: this review will contain some spoilers for either Jane Eyre or Mr. Rochester.

The story begins with a young Mr. Rochester. Ms. Shoemaker has created a backstory for Edward, which very cleverly parallels Jane’s in Jane Eyre! A large portion of Jane Eyre is about her pre-Thornfield life. In a similar vein, Mr. Rochester is divided into three books, as the reader immediately learns from the table of contents. Knowing this ahead of time created a lot of tension for me as the reader. Even as I was thoroughly enjoying Book One, I was looking ahead to Book Two with some trepidation.

Rating: 5 stars

The initial plot: Soon after the book begins, we learn of Edward’s father’s aloofness as well as his older brother’s cold demeanor. I thought this was very cleverly done and plausibly set the stage for the events in Mr. Rochester’s life as outlined in Jane Eyre. From the age of eight, young Edward is separated from his family and sent to stay at a tutor’s house, even for holidays. He is content there, and the telling of Edward’s life with the tutor was fascinating.

Historical Background: I hold this book up as an excellent example of how an author can seamlessly incorporate historical background information, encompassing a wide range of detail and topics, including abolition without the reader feeling that he’s been given a history lesson. No information dumps here. I was particularly interested in the level of detail given to the environment and the customs during Mr. Rochester’s time in Jamaica.

Christian/moral elements:

*Mr. Rochester, just as I think I remember from canon, seems to be somewhat confused about God and heaven. Regarding his morality, he is basically a very good man, which is amazing given all of his losses and the way he is treated by his own family. His choices are immoral from time to time, but for the most part, it is clearly shown that this is one of Mr. Rochester’s methods of escape from the many tragic times in his life. Jane Eyre has a very similar background and yet is steadfast in her morality and in dealing with problems. No wonder Mr. Rochester admires her.

*At one point, Mr. Rochester and Celine Varens each indicate that God must have brought them together. As much as I love Jane Eyre, this kind of thinking is very faulty, and just isn’t Biblical. Like I said, I seem to remember this kind of confused thinking in Jane Eyre , so if I’m remembering accurately, this is very much in line with Mr. Rochester’s thought process in canon.

*This book is nearly clean. Sex IS included in the story, but it’s basically stated that it occurs, along with an occasional non-graphic description. To get an idea, words used include: roused, on top of, consumed, etc. Mr. Rochester is married to Bertha Mason, and it is naturally a part of their history. Every instance of intimacy is within marriage and is completely relevant to this story so that the author may portray Bertha’s character and the state of their marriage. I did not love Bertha’s requests for Rochester to f**k her, but I understand why the author included it. (Surprisingly the f-word was apparently around at the time of the story, but I doubt the phrase “f**k me” was used. However, I couldn’t think of anything better for the context… Bertha also called Rochester a b**tard, and I don’t know if that definition of the word was in use at the time.)

What I liked:

*I really love the cover. I usually try not to comment on the cover of a book because it doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of the story, but really… This cover is something special!

*This book does such an excellent job of answering the many little questions I’ve had about Mr. Rochester’s words, actions, and background. Well done!

*The author manages to make Mr. Rochester’s background fascinating to read even though the reader already knows that certain turning points must be included, and in what order. Ms. Shoemaker also does a really nice job of foreshadowing future events.

What I didn’t like:

*I would have liked more Jane Eyre. Jane appears at 70% on my Kindle edition. While I believe that Mr. Rochester is a superior tale, I adore Jane and was antsy to read of her. I was sure, however, that she wouldn’t be appearing until Book Three, so that helped me to be somewhat patient. (Book Three begins at 56%.)

-------------------------------------------

I’d bet that Ms. Shoemaker has a great writing career ahead of her if she chooses! I recommend this book to all Jane Eyre lovers! And I recommend Jane Eyre to those who haven’t read it!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly competent. I’m sorry that that’s the best I can say of it after 400+ pages, but there it is. She did, at least at first, capture the rhythms of 19th century prose in a way that deeply reassured me. She has clearly done research and gotten many historical details right. There is no prose or moment here that is ridiculous or out of left field- but you know how Lizzy tells Darcy when they’re talking about character faults he might have that they can make fun of and he tells her that he’s unforgiving of people- and she responds, “that is a flaw indeed, but I cannot laugh at it”? I feel like that about this book. There are flaws, and many of them, but out of respect for the seriousness with which she clearly took this, and the clear understanding on display, I can’t make a funny review out of it.

But this isn’t the book I wanted at all. After awhile, this read like a reporting out of the facts of his life, a fitting in of puzzle pieces, rather than an explanation of his character. We don’t pause very often to live important moments alongside him, to feel how he must have felt. She just tells us what happens and moves on. And if we do pause there is far, far too much telling on the narrator’s part. There are a few exceptions to this- which are the parts that cover his experiences with Bertha after marriage and his awful encounters with her family- which tells you what she cares about, which is absolving Rochester as much as possible for his sins. I’m on board to a certain extent, but she went way way too far. I started to fight back against it mentally bc it was too much to be believed. And my God, it was slow. I don’t care about plot AT ALL and it was slow because we didn’t get the character moments and interactions to make up for it. I understand she was essentially trying to fit two books into the space one should go so she had to keep moving but I think she overestimated how much she needed to explain every little last thing. That’s not what I wanted. I wanted to spend time with the Rochester who drew me so magnetically in JE, not to hear a list of facts about his life. The person he is presented as at the start of the events of JE has very little connection with the man we see before in terms of personality. For example, he speaks super differently out loud- both in terms of diction and content-between one page and the next one that has actual Bronte dialogue, which is jarring. His behavior around Blanche doesn’t make sense for the sainted person she keeps insisting he is before that. I also wish she had made more of the opportunities to tell a different story in Jamaica, Jean Rhys style or at least giving other voices their own story style. I half hoped that’s what we would get, and there were whispers of it, but only for a few pages here and there. I also wish she had felt comfortable complicating Bertha more than she did- she did take one step in that direction, but then seemed to feel honor had been satisfied and withdrew to justifying Rochester again. Alt-perspectives aren’t just for validating the other person all the time.

So I am sorry but I found this dispiritingly dull, with magic and life and most truth drained of it and a plausible background left there in its place.

[Katherine]

Could it be?

Could it really be that someone, whom I will probably nominate for sainthood, wrote a book about Mr. Rochester?

MY BOOK HUSBAND?!!!



I have a mighty need for this book. Ohhhh my gosh you have no idea how much I need it right now. I will sell my soul to the devil for this book.

HOWEVER....

If this turns out anything like Wide Sargasso Sea, I will lose it AND I WILL RAGE.

:Hulk smashes the ground beneath her and awakens the God of the Underworld. 5 minutes later...:

We now will return to our regularly scheduled programming.

[Jennifer (Insert Lit Pun) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This is marketed as the "untold" story of Mr. Rochester (the male lead of "Jane Eyre"), but beyond the tenderness of the childhood sections I struggled to see what part of this story hadn't already been captured in Brontë's original tale. Shoemaker is a capable writer, but her Rochester is bland - there's nothing poetic, crotchety, or gregarious about him. He's just a rather boring man who happens to live an interesting life. So even though there are some positive aspects of this novel, and I think it's worth reading if you love "Jane Eyre," it's ultimately a lost opportunity to explore the potential richness of Rochester's voice and perspective.

[Marijana☕✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neka moja konačna ocena bude 3.5* i izvinjavam se unapred zbog duge recenzije, ali imala sam potrebu da sve ovo iznesem.
Kada sam saznala za postojanje ove knjige nije bilo teško da poželim da je pročitam, ali znala sam da će biti teško ako uvidim da je neko ukaljao moju omiljenu priču. Sara Šumejker je ipak uspela da oda poštu Šarloti Bronte i da sasvim pristojno iznese stranu Edvarda Ročestera. Dodatno sam joj oprostila sve što mi se možda i nije dopalo kada sam videla da se radi o jednoj miloj bakici i bibliotekarki kojoj je ovo prva objavljena knjiga.

Da se razumemo, niko i ništa neće zameniti Bronteovu i njenu sposobnost da naizgled jednostavnim tonom prodre u psihologiju likova, ali Šumejkerova pokazuje trud. Uspela je da pokači izraze karakteristične za taj period i da ispoštuje jezik dobro poznatih junaka. Žao mi je da kažem da je i pored toga njena izvedba praznjikava, ali šta očekivati od bilo koga, a svakako je hrabro što se usudila da napiše ovaj roman. Krenula je od toga da želi da shvati šta Šarlot misli o Ročesteru, da li je on u njenim očima bio antiheroj i šta je to što je Džejn uopšte privuklo u njemu (akhm, neki se uopšte ne pitamo, sve nam je jasno). Za autorku je dodatni izazov bio da zadrži pažnju čitalaca koji već znaju priču. Zbog toga je ubacila nove likove i ubacila je dešavanja o kojima ni Džejn nije ništa slutila. Opet kažem, vrlo hrabro i ipak korektno izvedeno. Nijednog trenutka nisam prevrnula očima, što govori dosta kada dolazi od #1 fana Džejn i Ročestera. Istina je da sam progutala ovaj roman i da ću najverovatnije pokušati da nađem jedan primerak za svoju policu.

Verzija e-knjige koju sam našla ima 500 strana, a Džejn se pojavljuje tek na 354. stranici, što je dodatni razlog da skidam kapu Šumejkerovoj – ona se zaista okrenula Ročesteru i dala nam njegov život do detalja. Opisala je njegovo usamljeno detinjstvo pored oca i brata koji su bili odsutni i okrutni, dala nam je njegovo školovanje, prijatelje koje je sticao i gubio, stasavanje, umni i fizički rad, sve ono što ga je dovelo na kraju do Jamajke i Berte Mejson. Berti i njenoj porodici je isto dato dosta prostora, po meni i previše. Zahvalno je što se autorka osvrnula na prve dane njihovog braka, sve zakonske peripetije i na realno stanje psihijatrijskih ustanova tog doba, ali i pored toga bila sam nestrpljiva da dođemo do Pariza i Selin, do načina života koji je umnogome uticao da se izgradi Ročesterov nagli temperament. I naravno, da dođemo do Džejn.

From there I continued my travels, my gambling, my liaisons with unsuitable women. I am not proud of that rootless life. But even so, changed as I was, more cynical about human nature, more hard-hearted—more, perhaps, like my father than I had ever wished to be—the boy I had once been lived on in one undeniable way: I continued to yearn for Thornfield. Not as it had become, barren and warped in secrecy, but the Thornfield of my childhood imagination.

Ne mogu da kažem da sam nakon ove knjige bolje razumela i upoznala Ročestera, zato što iskreno nikad nisam ni osećala da ga ne poznajem. Bronteova mi je dala i više nego dovoljno. Da ga nije prikazala kroz Džejnine oči, kroz ženske oči, verovatno se nikad ne bih ni zaljubila u njega. Ono što sam tražila kod Šumejkerove je bio još jedan odbrambeni mehanizam u ovoj šuntavoj godini, da imam nešto što će me približno vratiti u Tornfild, a da ne bude da kao manijak iznova čitam ili kupujem svoju omiljenu knjigu, što se već desilo nekoliko puta ove 2020.

“I cannot think of leaving you, sir.” It was only then, at this last insistence, that I truly saw the creature and realized that it was neither a sprite nor a child proper, but a young woman with a pale, otherworldly face, all bundled in a beaver bonnet and a merino cloak and a muff. I could not fathom what she might be doing on the path all alone at twilight.

Što se tiče načina na koji vidimo Džejn kroz Ročesterove oči, nisam oduševljena. Tu mi je isto falila neka dubina, valjda što je toliko dobro poznajem, kao sebe, pa sam tu ipak dopustila sebi da imam određena očekivanja i nadanja.

I discovered that if I played the role of master too broadly, and pushed her too imperiously, she became stubborn and annoyed, so I took care to apologize where I could, to treat her not as an inferior but as a younger, inexperienced equal, for there was something in this Miss Eyre that I could not resist prying into.
*
Obediently, she put her small hand in mine and I covered it with my other hand. If we could have, I would have stood there the rest of the night, her hand in mine, her eyes on my face.
*
In the end, I broke before she did. Able to bear it no more, I made as close to a profession of love as I dared, lavishing praise on those qualities in her face and form I was growing to love so well—it was all I could do not to grasp her and pull her close. As her eyes studied mine, I felt myself falling into a kind of dream. If I could have kept that moment forever, I would have.

Sara Šumejker jeste oslikala jaka osećanja i jasno nam stavlja do znanja kolika je Ročesterova ljubav i očajanje da sa nekim konačno pronađe dom, ali nema tu gotičke strasti onakvogTM intenziteta kao kod Šarlot. To posebno uočavamo kod scene njihovog suočavanja, nakon što je Džejn saznala za ludu ženu na tavanu. Ročester je tada van sebe, a od Sare smo dobili samo ovo:

But as she grew stronger, the power of her will increased all the more. I went through every weapon in my armory— patience, love, forgiveness, anger, reason—but nothing could pierce the steel of her will, nothing could break down the walls of what I had most admired in her: her resolute independence, her moral compass. I was powerless against her.

Zahvalna sam što je Sara zadržala karakteristične dijaloge. Toga sam se najviše pribojavala, da će ukaljati originalnu priču, ali zanimljivo je što je na mnogim mestima u potpunosti preuzela reči Šarlot Bronte. Tu sam počela da se pitam šta je uopšte sa autorskim pravima pisaca koji su živeli i umrli pre skoro 200 godina i da li je Sara morala da prođe kroz određeni proces da dobije dozvolu da objavi ovo delo. (Ako još nekoga ovo zanima, odgovor nisam našla, ali evo vam Sarin sajt da vidite preslatku bakicu: https://www.sarahshoemaker.net/)

"I should have been a careless shepherd if I had left a lamb —my pet lamb—so near a wolf’s den, unguarded: you were safe.” My pet lamb: it was the first endearment I had allowed myself to speak to her, and, I confess, I wanted her to notice it. It seemed an innocent and mild enough evocation of my feelings—though the term did little justice to the strength of character I had witnessed in the night.

Nekako mi se čini da je ovde više bilo pokuda nego pohvala, ali dovoljno je da se kaže da nisam uvređena ovim romanom. Na samom kraju imam par pitanja: Zašto nema St. Džona? Znamo koliko je bitan momenat kada Ročester sazna za prisustvo još jednog muškarca i zaštitnika u Džejninom životu, a kod Bronteove njegova ljubomora posebno nasmeje čitaoce. I još važnije: Zašto se nigde ne spominje bela vila na Mediteranu??! Kada je i kako kupljena, zašto Ročester nije letovao tamo i nastavio da dovodi Džejn u iskušenje pričom o njihovom životu u toj vili (jer svi znamo da je moj kofer već spakovan, kad krećemo?!).

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

TO LOVE ROCHESTER, AGAIN ...
Even if you have never read “Jane Eyre” (which seems impossible, but still…) “Mr. Rochester” is a fascinating, beautifully written, true to the era story of a man with a very troubled and multi-layered past.

“Mr. Rochester” could be a stand-alone novel being a compelling Gothic tale of an 1800’s upper class English second son having lost his mother at birth, left with a distant father, a wastrel elder brother and no hope of an inheritance who forges ahead in doing what is asked of him in good faith only to learn, too late, of the devious deception perpetrated upon him by his own father.

Mr. Rochester as imagined by Ms. Shoemaker is no less haunting, dark, moody, simmering with passion that is almost about to explode into violence before it is halted, morphs into brooding exasperation and eventually turns into love for the compassionate Jane Eyre.

Ms. Shoemaker has obviously done some serious research about 1800’s Jamaica and these chapters are breathtaking in scope and imagery.

I cannot help but believe that Miss Charlotte Brontë is smiling.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah Shoemaker's first novel Mr. Rochester retells the story of Jane Eyre from the point of view of its hero. Readers are offered a richly imagined look into Rochester's life before Jane. Under Shoemaker's hand, the brusque, tempestuous hero is transformed into a innocent child, a victim of his father's cold calculations, a naive lover, and a man determined to do the right thing. Shoemaker gives us a kinder and more lovable Rochester.

The novel is told in the first person, and linear in time, a comfortable and cozy read that felt very 19th c. Rochester's childhood has a Dickensian feel with the early death of a beloved mother, a cruel elder brother, and a cold and incommunicative father.

Unlike Jane, Rochester is provided with a first class education under a fair master. He makes dear friends at school; like Jane, one of Rochester's school chums dies. When his father deems it time, Rochester is given a tutor and sent to university. In Paris he fell into a loose life, meeting the dancer who becomes his mistress and whose daughter Adele he later takes in.

After his less than stellar performance at university, Rochester is apprenticed to a fatherly mill owner. He redeems himself as a hard worker and loyal surrogate son. Finally, it is revealed that Rochester is to inherit his father's West Indies plantation, and it is soon apparent that the beautiful Creole Antoinette is chosen to be his wife. Rochester's happiness is shattered as he realizes his wife is mad. He has been used badly by his father; his paradise becomes a hell.

Rochester truly wants to keep his vow to Antoinette's father to take care of her, and he does his best, first in the West Indies and later in England. But in the end, he has no choice but to lock her away in the Thornfield attic, for the safety of all.

When Jane arrives on the scene we learn the motives behind Rochester's manipulation and testing of her attachment. His endeavor to divorce his mad wife is curtailed as only by proving her adultery can he obtain a divorce.

Readers learn the historical background to Rochester's story, including Jamaican plantation life and it's reliance on slave labor and the Luddite rebellion against the mechanization of labor.

The novel stands on its own for those who have not read the Bronte novel, or like me, have not read it in several years.

According to a Goodreads poll there are 94 books inspired by Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. I previous have read Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea which redeems Bertha from madness, the story of a sensual Creole who suffers under Rochester's Victorian morality and white man's fears. It also has a compelling description of Jamaican slavery and the fomenting slave uprising.

For over two hundred years Bronte's novel has remained a favorite. It was one of the first 'classic' novels I read, through Scholastic Books, and before that the Classics Illustrated Comic Book had been one of my favorites. It appears that the appeal of the story is not going to flag anytime soon.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

[Jessica Moore · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn't work. I desperately wanted it to; Jane Eyre is probably my favorite novel. I was eager to read her story from the perspective of Rochester but I think that's where this book's failure lies: this story is Jane's story and no one else's. It just doesn't work from the perspective of Rochester.

Though Shoemaker tried to mirror this novel and Jane Eyre in the backstory section and Thornfield section, it only felt bloated and then kinda silly. Rochester loving Jane isn't as groundbreaking and scandalous as Jane loving Rochester. He's a man; he can do whatever he wants. That sort of mentality ran through the book from beginning to end. Though Rochester was presented as having a difficult life, it just didn't work. He was still a rich boy (emphasis on boy) who ended up in a marvelous house with whatever he wanted. Jane had to defy social convention in order to gain her happiness; Rochester didn't.

(Also, Rochester reads as overtly feminine. That didn't work either.)

Forgive me if this review doesn't make sense—I'm currently sick in bed. All the same, I expected a lot more.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.*

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate Mr. Rochester -- as in the version from Jane Eyre. I've never understood how some readers find him charming, dreamy, whatever. He's an ass. He's a 40-year-old man who keeps his crazy wife in the attic (sure, sure, because of reasons), toys with the emotions of poor teenage Jane (not to mention Blanche Ingram), then tries to marry her without telling her that he's already married. I hate that Jane actually goes back to him. Ew.

Ms. Shoemaker's version of Rochester (Call me Edward!) starts off much more promising. His father seems to have no emotions at all -- basically ignoring little Edward and issuing missives via letter. His brother is an egotistical ass who delights in torturing Edward whenever possible. At age eight, Edward is sent off to live with an eccentric scholar who privately educates boys in a very progressive way. This is probably the best thing that ever happens to him. He has friends, who are better than his actual brother. Then, in his teens, through another letter, he is ordered into an apprenticeship with a mill owner in another town. There again, he finds some happiness, as the childless mill owner and his wife are very kind people, but there are tragedies, and his father calls for him. After some formal education, he is shipped off to Jamaica to marry Bertha Antoinette Mason, and things go downhill quickly, then his father and brother die, and he's able to return to his beloved Thornfield, but with a burden with a capital B in tow.

I really liked Book 1, all of Edward's formative years, and found myself rooting for the poor kid. Book 2, the Jamaica years, was also very interesting -- Edward finds himself betrayed over and over again. (This differs from Wide Sargasso Sea a lot -- taking place between the end of the slave trade and the end of actual slavery in Jamaica. Also, Jonas and Richard are Bertha's blood relatives.) Even the beginning of Book 3, when Edward first brings Bertha back to Thornfield, with all the adjustments it takes to get her set up, brought new material.

After Jane enters the story, things got a little less interesting. There were a few new additions ( Bertha's secret baby! that helped, but at that point Ms. Shoemaker was stuck with Bronte's original Rochester, and, as they say, "You can't polish a turd."

Excellent novel with lots of historical material that I really enjoyed. I just still don't like Rochester.

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have very mixed feelings about this book and yet I am glad I've read it. A book like this is always going to come with some trepidation as JANE EYRE is my favourite book and a re-take on that concept definitely carries a risk. What appealed to me about the concept of MR ROCHESTER was the idea of his point of view but from childhood to what we know. I definitely felt frustration over how long it took to catch a glimpse of Jane Eyre and I am positive I won't be alone in this. The book had engaging parts and slow descriptive parts. This made me sense a lack of flow in my own enagagement on the whole.

Things I really liked about this book were unexpected, I truly enjoyed child and adolescent Edward Rochester. The idea of his life prior to anything we've ever had a snapshot of in JANE EYRE was totally engaging, showing a rather neglected boy, trying to find affection and fun. Some of the Jamaica story line engaged me and Bertha's mental demise was well written. I am disappointed by the last 30% that's focused on Jane and Edward's story. I don't feel that I learnt that much that's was new, despite having the opportunity to be in Edward's head. I did enjoy a rather unusual twist in this part though.

I am a huge fan of WIDE SARGASSO SEA by Jean Rhys so that's not to say I am opposed to someone writing an alternate to Edward Rochester's life. In fact, the Bertha part of MR ROCHESTER was well conceived and executed which is the focus of WIDE SARGASSO SEA. I just wanted more. I would definitely read Sarah Shoemaker again.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through netgalley in return for a honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Per chiunque abbia lasciato un pezzo del proprio cuore fra le mura della cara Thornfield Hall, Mister Rochester di Sarah Shoemaker è un sogno a occhi aperti. Quest’omaggio a Charlotte Brontë è una gioia fugace, un rimedio alla nostalgia che, seppur temporaneo, realizza un piccolo sogno: dar voce all’enigmatico Rochester.

Fra le pagine dell’amatissimo Jane Eyre, Edward Fairfax Rochester è presentato come un uomo burbero, cinico, scostante e iracondo, temprato da un vissuto doloroso che vorrebbe poter dimenticare.

Il suo torbido passato torna a galla proprio quando la protagonista riesce a scalfire la sua corazza, facendolo tornare ad amare dopo tanto tempo. Quello fra Jane e Mr. Rochester è un amore difficile, tormentato, ostacolato dalle convenzioni sociali e da un segreto terribile che incombe sull’ancestrale dimora dei Rochester.

Il misterioso passato del padrone di casa, appena tratteggiato nel classico, prende forma in questo romanzo che ripercorre gli anni della sua infanzia, la sua formazione, la sua giovinezza.. fino ad arrivare al fatidico incontro con l’adorata Jane e al loro amore.

A chi consiglierei questa lettura? A tutti coloro che abbiano amato Jane Eyre e vogliano rivivere le splendide atmosfere del romanzo della Brontë, pur tenendo a mente che si tratta di opere scritte in epoche differenti e con intenti molto diversi!

[Lollita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was kinda slow going but I liked it, cant help but love Rochester even his faults.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

As most people who will choose to pick up this book, I am a fan of Jane Eyre and any other book written by the Bronte sisters. They have a way of clutching my emotions and drawing me into their stories as if they were reality. That being said, I have always wondered a bit about Mr Rochester. He and Jane's attraction for one another has been a bit of a mystery to me, so I thought it would be intriguing to read his point of view.

Mirroring Jane's own journey, this novel begins with Edward as a small child. He is largely ignored by his father, teased by his brother, and left to whatever amusements he can find for himself in Thornfield Hall. It is not until his father sends him away to a tutor that Edward forms any true relationships. Watching Edward's childhood pass by in a series of arrangements that his father makes for him without discussing or explaining them helps the reader see how he became the man he is in Jane Eyre. He is obedient to a fault, and this leads to the events that harden his character.

Rochester as a child deeply feels disappointment and loss in a way that explains why he is so guarded later in life. He is close to few but is a deep thinker, so this book takes us into his mind.

"Why had I so easily assumed there would always be another time, another chance?"

"The future is as uncertain as the weather, knowable only as far as one can see on each day, and therefore just as unpredictable and, just as unkind."

The heartbreak and neglect that he suffers helped me form a greater sympathy for and attachment to the dark, mysterious lover of my precious Jane.

His battle to cope with the wife he is tricked into taking on also created greater sympathy for Rochester. While it is easy to read Jane Eyre and wonder at his great deception, in this book we see just how much he had done for poor, mad Bertha.

"Still, she was my wife; I had taken her for better or for worse, though none of us imagines beforehand how bad the worse might be."

I only wish that the revelation of character had continued once Edward and Jane's stories came together. Instead of continuing to be a deeper look at Rochester's thoughts, here the novel becomes a quick retelling of the story that we already know. It is still difficult to see the love growing between Jane and Edward. In fact, one wonders at how cruel this previously thoughtful and sensitive man could be toward the woman he claims to love more than any other.

He has suffered disappointment and disillusionment, but his actions toward Jane still don't seem to fit with the character that Shoemaker has created. The romance is there because we know it is, not because we see it happen.

If the Jane portion of the story seemed a bit rushed and didn't answer all the questions that I had hoped it would, I still greatly enjoyed this story. I feel a closer connection to Rochester having read it, especially through feelings he experiences that are easy to share, such as "I ran from the room, my mind at once full and blank, if such a thing is possible." Yes, it is possible. I feel for you Edward, as I did not before.

I received this novel through the publisher and NetGalley.

[Andreea Ursu-Listeveanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I discovered this book on Instagram and I couldn’t believe my eyes, I was a bit worried that it could ruin the image I had of Mr. Rochester or the story of Charlotte Bronte. Let me be clear, Edward Fairfax Rochester is my favorite male character from the Victorian literature, at least from what I’ve read til now. And after reading Sarah Shoemaker’s novel, things will probably stay that way.

I loved the book, and for the 2nd time in my life, the same story, the same characters kept me awake too late at night to find out more, to re-live the love I read about a few years ago. And if a book can do that to me, I consider it a win. Shoemaker’s Mr. Rochester has been given a voice, a chance to explain himself to all those who see him just as a man who locked up his mad wife in the attic. And as the writer said: Jane saw something in him, was drawn to him, and she was not a fool, she wasn’t impressed neither by his wealth, nor his appearance. And what sort of a fan of Jane Eyre are you if you don’t trust her judgement? :)

Bronte created this complex and controversial character and Shoemaker gave reasons for why he is the way he is. What shaped his spirit, his mind, and his life. And thank you for that.

***

Oh! Oh! I forgot the most important part. One of my absolutely favorite scenes in literature is the one when Rochester dresses as a gypsy woman and tries to read Jane’s future, or otherwise known as the moment when Jane makes him understand who she is and what she stands for. I took Jane Eyre and reread the original episode again, after having it read in Shoemaker’s novel. Brilliant! Exciting! Both versions. I just loved to be in both of their minds and hearts alternately.

[Anmiryam · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was truly "okay" as the two star rating suggests. It is a pleasant enough read, but I was disappointed by how bland this version of Edward Fairfax Rochester seemed by contrast to his electric, if problematic, personality in Jane Eyre. I never saw the intense, gothic, mercurial figure I remember from the original novel. Shoemaker instead crafts an apologia, with Rochester portrayed as a nice guy done wrong by the world and always striving to do the right thing. So much more could have been done and I am still hoping that someone can produce a good novelistic look at Rochester that manages to build greater tension and stay closer to the spirit to Bronte's passionate and sardonic original.

[SmartBitches · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Jane Eyre is one of my favorite books – so much so that I collect copies as though I’m afraid that they will expire and vanish from the shelves. I have beautiful hardback copies that I keep for reading at home, battered thrift store copies that I give away with wild abandon, and a copy in my stash of emergency supplies in case of earthquake or zombie attack.

So I greet a book like Mr. Rochester, which retells the story from Mr. Rochester’s point of view, with mingled delight and trepidation. Turns out that Mr. Rochester is not as daring as some other adaptations, but it’s solid and engrossing.

Most of Mr. Rochester takes place prior to the events of Jane Eyre. We meet Rochester as a little boy, with a dead mother, a cold father, and an abusive older brother. His longing for affection and his desperation for the approval of his father inform all his future actions. He makes a lot of terrible decisions, but they are all in line with the way his character was formed in childhood. As time passes he makes new connections, but always these connections are severed unexpectedly and permanently, leaving Rochester more emotionally adrift than ever.

Readers who are attached to the idea of Mr. Rochester as a romantic hero will be disappointed by this book. Personally, I never have found him to be a romantic hero. I’ve always cared about Rochester only inasmuch as I care about Jane’s happiness. I liked the idea of this blustering, brooding, bossy guy being motivated by emotional insecurity and a desperate need to balance his responsibilities with personal happiness. It’s these very insecurities which attract Jane – on their first meeting she has to help him because he falls from his horse, and every time he leans on her (figuratively or literally) she becomes more enamored of him – while he sees her as the only steady source of affection and stability that he can rely upon.

This book is an engrossing character study with even more melodrama than Jane Eyre itself. As a companion book to Jane Eyre, I enjoyed it, and while I think there are multiple ways to analyze the character, I couldn’t fault this author’s portrayal of a man who, by his own admission in Jane Eyre, tends to drift with events – he’s more reactive than active.

I’m not sure how much this book would appeal to people who haven’t read Jane Eyre, simply because Rochester is so passive in his youth, and Jane remains such a cipher when she appears. This is why rated the book a B- instead of a B. I think the sidelining of Jane is a fascinating literary device, but one that won’t work for readers who try this book as a standalone. As a companion piece to Jane Eyre, it deserves a solid B.

- Carrie S.

[Jenny Jo Weir · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh my! What a wonderful read. Such a heartfelt story. I loved being submersed into his life and feeling like I was going through this journey with him. Written splendidly and hooked me from the very start. LOVED IT.

[Catherine Wierz · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Jane Eyre, this is a must read!