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Jane Eyre: A Retelling
Orphaned as a child, tormented by her guardian and cast out to a harsh boarding school, Jane Eyre has been raised in the shadow of cruelty and isolation. But when she takes a job as governess in Thornfield Hall, where secrets lurk in the attic and strange laughter echoes through the night, Jane meets the elusive Mr Rochester - and her life is irrevocably transformed.
Poignantly and powerfully retold in this stunning edition, Jane Eyre is the tale of a spirited heroine's search for love, independence and belonging.
Poignantly and powerfully retold in this stunning edition, Jane Eyre is the tale of a spirited heroine's search for love, independence and belonging.
120 pages, Paperback
Published January 15, 2020
6 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Landman
85 books91 followersCarnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."
Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.
Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.
Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 5, 2020
A fantastic retelling. Accessible, easy to read but with a real flavour of the original
November 15, 2019
Fantastic, accessible retelling.
RTC.
RTC.
July 31, 2021
4.5/5 Stars
Terrific retelling. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love the accessibility of it.
This review is just me ranting about that actual decisions of the characters and how stupid I think they acted, so carry on if you don’t care.
These classic retellings are great, I love them, but goodness, the male love interest in classics are usually so 👏🏼 toxic 👏🏼. Like HOW DID SHE NOT SEE ANY RED FLAGS. And if it was me, and this strange mansion I’d just moved into appeared to be haunted and someone had tried to *BURN* the master of the house in his sleep? I’d *RUN*. LIKE PACK YOU BAGS, JANE. It was a red flag parade and she was like “I will ignore you.” 🚩 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
I can get why she fell in love with Mr Rochester (who’s first name we never learn...when they get married does she still call him Mr Rochester??? Because he’s always just called her Jane....) but also he lied to her and when she was like “tell me about Grace Poole” and he’s all “wait until we’re married and then I’ll tell you everything” and she was like “okie dokie” like what’s that I hear? The alarm bells??? Just kidding, but I was screaming at the book, out loud, for her to issue an ultimatum, simply because it’s a bit concerning he wanted her to be with him forever before he told her. Like what was so bad that he had to make sure she’d stay, by law? (Going with 1800s standards here) But she wanted to marry him anyway, so she didn’t really notice that. It all ended up relatively fine, but based on how much I appear to dislike/be critical of the people in this story, you might be able to tell classics are not typically my favorite genre. Although I do absolutely love these retellings.
This review is me being more critical of the story and the characters than the writing and the book, in and of itself. I really did like this book a lot. I read it very quickly and that’s always a good feeling. Hopefully it got me out of a reading slump. 🤞🏼
This was an unexpectedly long review, sorry. Lol
Terrific retelling. ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love the accessibility of it.
This review is just me ranting about that actual decisions of the characters and how stupid I think they acted, so carry on if you don’t care.
These classic retellings are great, I love them, but goodness, the male love interest in classics are usually so 👏🏼 toxic 👏🏼. Like HOW DID SHE NOT SEE ANY RED FLAGS. And if it was me, and this strange mansion I’d just moved into appeared to be haunted and someone had tried to *BURN* the master of the house in his sleep? I’d *RUN*. LIKE PACK YOU BAGS, JANE. It was a red flag parade and she was like “I will ignore you.” 🚩 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
I can get why she fell in love with Mr Rochester (who’s first name we never learn...when they get married does she still call him Mr Rochester??? Because he’s always just called her Jane....) but also he lied to her and when she was like “tell me about Grace Poole” and he’s all “wait until we’re married and then I’ll tell you everything” and she was like “okie dokie” like what’s that I hear? The alarm bells??? Just kidding, but I was screaming at the book, out loud, for her to issue an ultimatum, simply because it’s a bit concerning he wanted her to be with him forever before he told her. Like what was so bad that he had to make sure she’d stay, by law? (Going with 1800s standards here) But she wanted to marry him anyway, so she didn’t really notice that. It all ended up relatively fine, but based on how much I appear to dislike/be critical of the people in this story, you might be able to tell classics are not typically my favorite genre. Although I do absolutely love these retellings.
This review is me being more critical of the story and the characters than the writing and the book, in and of itself. I really did like this book a lot. I read it very quickly and that’s always a good feeling. Hopefully it got me out of a reading slump. 🤞🏼
This was an unexpectedly long review, sorry. Lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2023
she's soooo me (an insane woman trapped in the attic of her ex husband)
April 28, 2024
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this simplified version of one of my favourite classics
September 17, 2020
A middle grade retelling of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel of Jayne Eyre. I loved the simplicity in the language and also the powerful voice of Jane and all she had to go through. Her faith in herself is what helped her overcome adversity and finally find her own version of happiness. Perfect for teens and YA fans of this classic story.
September 19, 2025
In this book the main character, Jane Eyre, goes on a journey of self discovery. During this she gains respect for herself and proves herself to others but to also to herself. Jane’s respect for herself really grew at the end of the book: “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.” What we learn from this quote is that Jane now understands that she will always respect herself even without friends or without support. We also learn in a wider world perspective that everyone should speak up and respect themselves. I think the writer wants the reader to see that it's possible to respect ourselves and everyone should. We should all put ourselves first in the world even before family because we only get one life and you are in charge of it. Respecting yourself is as if you are tuning an instrument, you cannot be in harmony with others if you are not in tune with yourself first. But it's also like you are a tree. A tree goes through many different challenges from harsh weathers like droughts and cyclones and pests and disease but the tree stands strong. It stands up for itself and endures through the worst times. That's why respecting yourself is not letting anything bring you down or have better judgement. Jane Eyre also works on proving herself and not letting people tell who she is: “Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! - I have as much soul as you, - and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you!” We learn from this quote that she is saying this statement with her whole heart and proving herself to whoever needs to hear this. I think the author wants to show the readers that it is okay to stand up to people and to tell people who you are and how you want to be seen by people. Proving yourself is like a diamond. It forms underground for a long time but when it is found and surfaces it has brilliance that is undeniable, a strong will and power. Proving yourself is the same: it isn't the applause or recognition that gives it value, but it is the hidden struggle that forged it into something unbreakable. We learn from the first quote of respecting herself that Jane will continue to respect and care for herself and that respecting yourself is an important part of life. We learn from the second quote of proving herself that Jane knows who she is and will stand for it no matter what anyone says. We learn from both quotes that Jane is a strong willed woman that has finally found herself and knows her worth. From a wider world perspective we learn that it's okay if the journey to respecting and proving yourself or making the better you takes a long time. We need to stay strong and stand up for ourselves and have self admiration no matter what. Self discovery is a long and hard process that is so important to humans and life. It may take a long time but it's worth it in the end. People will feel more comfortable, satisfied and happy. Jane goes through the entire book until she realises her past and present and who she needs to be, for her and no one else. It is also important to know that self discovery isn’t about becoming someone new. It is about uncovering the self that has been buried under all the judgment, opinions, expectations and doubts that you didn’t even realise had gone missing. It is less like painting a canvas with a new discovered self but more like discovering an old painting that has been hidden with layers of dust.
April 1, 2025
I would like to read the original book, but I have chosen to begin with this retelling tailored for children and young people, which presents the story in a more concise and approachable manner.
I found it to be a pleasant and easy read. Two sections particularly caught my attention:
1 - "I was young. I wanted excitement. I needed to live, not simply exist. I couldn't sit still by the fire while Mrs Fairfax chattered about nothing night after night."
- Here, Jane is talking about her tough childhood. Even though she seems to be most of the times "numbed" by her struggles, I found it interesting when she said she doesn't just want to go through life but she wants to have excitement.
I believe that life is too valuable to be lived without fully embracing it and seeking excitement.
2 - "Hatred is a strange poison, Helen had told me. It is utterly harmless to the hated person. It only kills the one who allows hate to grow and fester within them."
- Here, Jane is thinking about what her friend Helen taught her about hatred. She explained that hatred hurts the person feeling it and not the person being hated.
While it may sound like a simple notion, I view this as good reminder of the significance of mental well-being, it underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced mindset and not always accepting everything our minds tell us.
Overall I have found this book enjoyable and well written, I am now eager to read the original version.
I found it to be a pleasant and easy read. Two sections particularly caught my attention:
1 - "I was young. I wanted excitement. I needed to live, not simply exist. I couldn't sit still by the fire while Mrs Fairfax chattered about nothing night after night."
- Here, Jane is talking about her tough childhood. Even though she seems to be most of the times "numbed" by her struggles, I found it interesting when she said she doesn't just want to go through life but she wants to have excitement.
I believe that life is too valuable to be lived without fully embracing it and seeking excitement.
2 - "Hatred is a strange poison, Helen had told me. It is utterly harmless to the hated person. It only kills the one who allows hate to grow and fester within them."
- Here, Jane is thinking about what her friend Helen taught her about hatred. She explained that hatred hurts the person feeling it and not the person being hated.
While it may sound like a simple notion, I view this as good reminder of the significance of mental well-being, it underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced mindset and not always accepting everything our minds tell us.
Overall I have found this book enjoyable and well written, I am now eager to read the original version.
January 21, 2022
JANE EYRE is one of the classics I have the biggest block with (after Dickens) as we read it at school. I'm hoping this might help ease that block to one day pick up the original again because, on paper, it's a story that should hold some interest for me.
This is such a lovely retelling, and because I know the original, I could really see how much care had been taken to include as much of the original as possible. It's is so accessible, but all the main scenes and ideas are there, if just wrapped up in a few pages rather than 10 or 20!
It also really pulls out the Gothicness of the story. In 112 pages there is still all of the strange sounds, the barren landscape, the way people just casually talk about fairies and elves as if they were real. It's so much more concentrated here, which makes it all the more obvious how creepy it all is. And I like that creepiness in it, it makes it more than just a tale of love and a desperate liar of a man.
This is such a lovely retelling, and because I know the original, I could really see how much care had been taken to include as much of the original as possible. It's is so accessible, but all the main scenes and ideas are there, if just wrapped up in a few pages rather than 10 or 20!
It also really pulls out the Gothicness of the story. In 112 pages there is still all of the strange sounds, the barren landscape, the way people just casually talk about fairies and elves as if they were real. It's so much more concentrated here, which makes it all the more obvious how creepy it all is. And I like that creepiness in it, it makes it more than just a tale of love and a desperate liar of a man.
July 2, 2021
I am not a fan of the classics, I find them too dry, descriptive and lacking pace in general. But I know the stories are really good, they stand the test of time after all.
Tanya Landman is one of those authors where, if I see a new book by her, I add it to my TBR as soon as I can get my mitts on them! I wondered what she would do with something I would not normally read, and I'm so pleased that she kept the tone and the voice of the traditional Jane Eyre with such supple skill that I feel as though I have a really good grounding of the original novel. I might even give it a go over summer!
As always, an excellent book from Tanya Landman
Tanya Landman is one of those authors where, if I see a new book by her, I add it to my TBR as soon as I can get my mitts on them! I wondered what she would do with something I would not normally read, and I'm so pleased that she kept the tone and the voice of the traditional Jane Eyre with such supple skill that I feel as though I have a really good grounding of the original novel. I might even give it a go over summer!
As always, an excellent book from Tanya Landman
August 17, 2021
A quick read. I was confused as hell of what's happening. I though it will be a fantasy story because of how Mr.Rochester speaks. I truly do not know what to feel about the story. Things just happened fast. And I was expecting a strong-willed woman who got out of the world, to hell with all the the 19th century etiquette but it's not. But I do think it's a touching story. It could've been more beautiful if it were longer.
P.s. So I didn't know that this is a retelling. 🤣 I should read the original one.
P.s. So I didn't know that this is a retelling. 🤣 I should read the original one.
December 10, 2024
Charlotte Bronte, JANE EYRE, by Tanya Landman
Having recently completed the original classic it was a joy to read this version. Delightful, like returning to a warm fireplace. (4 stars)
"Now there were knocks at the door, the bell clanged, people came calling. The heart of the house had begun to beat, and life was flowing through its veins. I loved it." (p32).
"I didn't find his shifting moods troubling. They were like a change in the weather or the turning of the river's tide: natural forces that were beyond my control." (p39)
Having recently completed the original classic it was a joy to read this version. Delightful, like returning to a warm fireplace. (4 stars)
"Now there were knocks at the door, the bell clanged, people came calling. The heart of the house had begun to beat, and life was flowing through its veins. I loved it." (p32).
"I didn't find his shifting moods troubling. They were like a change in the weather or the turning of the river's tide: natural forces that were beyond my control." (p39)
Read
April 10, 2023The original is not a difficult book to read. It doesn’t need simplifying or putting in simpler language. I read it as a child reader: I tried it at 9 and was too young, and gave up when Helen Burns died. But I loved it and knew I’d be ready so I tried it again at 11 and loved it. Did I need to look stuff up? Yes. But it’s worth it.
For the kid who finds detail and the fantastic but gorse like prose frustrating, I think this might be a fine fit.
For the kid who finds detail and the fantastic but gorse like prose frustrating, I think this might be a fine fit.
January 28, 2025
I’m not sure how I feel about the story itself—it feels like Annie meets Pride and Prejudice. That said, it’s a classic for a reason. I’ve always struggled with reading older classics, but I’ve wanted to expand my knowledge and tackle them. So, when I saw this simplified version at the bookstore, I was thrilled! It’s such a brilliant idea to make these timeless works more accessible since so many people find the original language challenging. It was such an quick and easy read which I love!
November 8, 2019
A spot-on visit to Jane Eyre's late-teenaged home for readers with mixed reading abilities. Reader, I loved it. But for my full review, please click on:-
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...
July 26, 2020
An absolutely amazing retailing. This is one of my favorite retellings of Jane Eyre. This is one of the top five Jane Eyre retelling. She definitely saves herself and I still dont feel sorry for Mr. Rochester,but I think he could only be who he was and do what he knew to do.
April 22, 2025
Are we really doing this now? Charlotte Bronte's works aren't some obscure fairy tales to be "retold". Just because a work is in the public domain and you feel like abridging it doesn't make it your work.
July 19, 2025
Beautiful, however, I don't understand why Jane STILL married Mr Rochester at the end, girl if he's keeping secrets BEFORE you're married then how many is he going to keep AFTER you're married? But then again ignorance is bliss I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2019
A fantastic retelling of a dear favourite which retains the essence of the original but is so much more accessible for young readers today. Love this feisty Jane.
February 23, 2020
I loved Landman's last book and this one is just as gorgeous. A brilliant retelling of Jane Eyre. Amazing, I couldn't put it down.
June 20, 2020
3 out of 5 stars
November 6, 2020
A bite-sized and accessible look into one of my favourite stories
January 30, 2021
fantastic easy read. very accessible
January 21, 2022
Definitely going to read the original i really enjoyed this one!
July 31, 2022
A simplistic telling of a classic take. Some of the depth is understandably lost but well written.
(10+)
(10+)
September 29, 2022
This was less a retelling, and more a no-frills summary. There wasn't much to really love, and even though this was much shorter, I think I still preferred the original.
October 13, 2024
Creepy as hell
October 19, 2024
Good to actually see if I like the story before I commit to reading the actual book
November 19, 2025
Loved it and loved Jane, but Mr Rochester…don’t like as much.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews