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Sloane Hall
In 1920s Hollywood, young John Doyle learns the craft of cinematography when a stupid mistake costs him his job. On a tip, he heads to Sloane Hall, the estate of a famous silent screen actress, Pauline Sloane, where he lands a position as chauffeur. Sloane Hall first offers him peace as he enjoys the bounty of the luxurious home, then unrest as its beautiful namesake returns and starts preparing for her first talking picture. Despite his best efforts to resist, John falls hopelessly in love with his employer. His future brightens, however, when she appears to return his affection, leading to plans for a secret wedding--until other awful secrets intrude, leading to heartbreak and separation. A story of obsession and forgiveness, Libby Sternberg's Sloane Hall was inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre .
390 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Libby Sternberg
29 books11 followersLibby Sternberg is an Edgar finalist, a Launchpad Prose Top 50 finalist, and a BookLife quarter-finalist twice.
She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and more under the names Libby Sternberg and Libby Malin, and one of her romantic comedies was bought for film.
She has written two retellings of classic stories:"Daisy" ("The Great Gatsby") and "Sloane Hall" ("Jane Eyre").
"Sloane Hall" was one of only 14 books highlighted in the Huffington Post on the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth.
"Daisy" has been hailed by Publishers Weekly's BookLife contest as "A delightful portrayal of a female character claiming the story as her own, repossessing her own voice.”
Born in Baltimore, she now lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband Matthew. She has three grown children.
She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and more under the names Libby Sternberg and Libby Malin, and one of her romantic comedies was bought for film.
She has written two retellings of classic stories:"Daisy" ("The Great Gatsby") and "Sloane Hall" ("Jane Eyre").
"Sloane Hall" was one of only 14 books highlighted in the Huffington Post on the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth.
"Daisy" has been hailed by Publishers Weekly's BookLife contest as "A delightful portrayal of a female character claiming the story as her own, repossessing her own voice.”
Born in Baltimore, she now lives in Lancaster, PA with her husband Matthew. She has three grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 6, 2012
About 2 months ago I reviewed the novel “Jane” (by April Linder) which (somewhat smartly) re-vamped the Bronte classic “Jane Eyre.” Since then, I have been emailed 22 times with authors offering up their modern day versions of classic literature. Some, I politely declined, knowing that my passionate love for the original would hinder my ability to judge it fairly, others, like “Sloane Hall” (by Libby Sternberg) I happy excepted. Now, as you may have already guessed, “Sloane Hall” much like “Jane” is a modern day (or as modern as 1920 gets ya) twist on the wonderfully compelling and undeniably heart-wrenching story of “Jane Eyre.” (Which… for the record, if you have yet to read I encourage you to do so, it is a classic for a reason.)
The 1920′s are a time of change; silent films are being phased out, alcohol is prohibited, and Hollywood is the place where dreams are made. No one knows this better than John Doyle. After being ceremoniously let go (due to a mistake on set,) John is forced to find new employment. But no worries, John has friends, friends who happen to know of a woman looking for a new driver, not just ANY woman though, Pauline Sloane, silent film star and raging alcoholic. After weeks of peace (in a Pauline absent home,) John is finally, (and very unconventionally) introduced to the matron of the house, and that’s when his life changes. Suddenly finding himself in awe of the woman in front of him…John, (despite his better judgment) falls in love, but…does Pauline, a woman used to getting her way by throwing tantrums and mocking those around her, feel the same? What happens when Pauline finally goes one step too far, will she loose the only man that has ever been truly loyal to her? Will John’s past reemerge to haunt him in his darkest hours, and when the truth is finally revealed…will it be to late to repair the damage that has already been done?
I REALLY wanted to like this book. Honestly, I did, but the more I read, the more I felt completely detached from what was going on. I know what you’re thinking, “It’s because you already know how it ends…duh” but I assure you that’s not the case. No, this time…it had nothing to do with poor characterization (or even dialogue for that matter) and everything to do with plot catches. What’s a “plot catch?” Well… it’s where the story hits a net and lingers for much longer than it should. In the case of “Sloane Hall,” it was when Sternberg (for who knows what reason) felt the need to drift away from the intensity of a tumultuous relationship to make a call to a friend on set, (or pay a visit, or write a letter…etc) While under normal circumstances I would relish the idea of lessons in cinematography, in this particular story it pulled the focus away from what was important and (in my cause) caused me to lose interest. Now, with all of the above negativity, it IS important for me to stress that the book was not a total loss, and in certain places I did find myself enjoying the words laid out in front of me. Like I said before, Sternberg’s characters (which by the way were role reversed in this version) were actually quite wonderful in portraying the destitution and heartache needed to properly convey Bronte’s story, and the final 30% was actually good, (I’m thinking this is because she stopped focusing on the abstract.) It’s just to bad that the (necessary) smoothness in Sternberg’s writing waited until the end to show its pretty face.
All in all…not the best rewrite I have read, but there’s no denying it had some weight behind it. Eyre fans are sure to find some hidden pleasure behind it, but for all of you “none-classic-y” types, this is probably not going to be your thing.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: everyone has a past, it’s what they are making of their future that REALLY counts.
The 1920′s are a time of change; silent films are being phased out, alcohol is prohibited, and Hollywood is the place where dreams are made. No one knows this better than John Doyle. After being ceremoniously let go (due to a mistake on set,) John is forced to find new employment. But no worries, John has friends, friends who happen to know of a woman looking for a new driver, not just ANY woman though, Pauline Sloane, silent film star and raging alcoholic. After weeks of peace (in a Pauline absent home,) John is finally, (and very unconventionally) introduced to the matron of the house, and that’s when his life changes. Suddenly finding himself in awe of the woman in front of him…John, (despite his better judgment) falls in love, but…does Pauline, a woman used to getting her way by throwing tantrums and mocking those around her, feel the same? What happens when Pauline finally goes one step too far, will she loose the only man that has ever been truly loyal to her? Will John’s past reemerge to haunt him in his darkest hours, and when the truth is finally revealed…will it be to late to repair the damage that has already been done?
I REALLY wanted to like this book. Honestly, I did, but the more I read, the more I felt completely detached from what was going on. I know what you’re thinking, “It’s because you already know how it ends…duh” but I assure you that’s not the case. No, this time…it had nothing to do with poor characterization (or even dialogue for that matter) and everything to do with plot catches. What’s a “plot catch?” Well… it’s where the story hits a net and lingers for much longer than it should. In the case of “Sloane Hall,” it was when Sternberg (for who knows what reason) felt the need to drift away from the intensity of a tumultuous relationship to make a call to a friend on set, (or pay a visit, or write a letter…etc) While under normal circumstances I would relish the idea of lessons in cinematography, in this particular story it pulled the focus away from what was important and (in my cause) caused me to lose interest. Now, with all of the above negativity, it IS important for me to stress that the book was not a total loss, and in certain places I did find myself enjoying the words laid out in front of me. Like I said before, Sternberg’s characters (which by the way were role reversed in this version) were actually quite wonderful in portraying the destitution and heartache needed to properly convey Bronte’s story, and the final 30% was actually good, (I’m thinking this is because she stopped focusing on the abstract.) It’s just to bad that the (necessary) smoothness in Sternberg’s writing waited until the end to show its pretty face.
All in all…not the best rewrite I have read, but there’s no denying it had some weight behind it. Eyre fans are sure to find some hidden pleasure behind it, but for all of you “none-classic-y” types, this is probably not going to be your thing.
Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: everyone has a past, it’s what they are making of their future that REALLY counts.
February 2, 2015
Sloane Hall is a re-telling of Jane Eyre, set in Hollywood in the 1920s as talking pictures are coming into vogue. In this version “Jane” is John Royce, a poor young man who ends up working as the chauffeur for silent movie star Pauline Sloane (Mr. Rochester).
Although I read the story to the very end, it was only to find out what happened, and to compare it to Jane Eyre. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, and the drinking, drugs, and sex made the story too dark for my taste. (Frankly, I found the rape and sodomy completely unnecessary)
Jane, whose heart shines like a thousand-watt beacon, who burns with righteous indignation over injustices and cruelty, is the heart of the original book, and I have always loved her.
John is just an angry, sometimes cruel, young man, with no moral compass. The first person narration by him only hurts the story.
Although I read the story to the very end, it was only to find out what happened, and to compare it to Jane Eyre. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, and the drinking, drugs, and sex made the story too dark for my taste. (Frankly, I found the rape and sodomy completely unnecessary)
Jane, whose heart shines like a thousand-watt beacon, who burns with righteous indignation over injustices and cruelty, is the heart of the original book, and I have always loved her.
John is just an angry, sometimes cruel, young man, with no moral compass. The first person narration by him only hurts the story.
July 21, 2018
I am not sure I'll finish the book. I am really disappointed and about half way through. I read this review just now:
Sloane Hall is a re-telling of Jane Eyre, set in Hollywood in the 1920s as talking pictures are coming into vogue. In this version “Jane” is John Royce, a poor young man who ends up working as the chauffeur for silent movie star Pauline Sloane (Mr. Rochester).
Although I read the story to the very end, it was only to find out what happened, and to compare it to Jane Eyre. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, and the drinking, drugs, and sex (and I add profanitiy) made the story too dark for my taste. (Frankly, I found the rape and sodomy completely unnecessary)
Jane, whose heart shines like a thousand-watt beacon, who burns with righteous indignation over injustices and cruelty, is the heart of the original book, and I have always loved her.
John is just an angry, sometimes cruel, young man, with no moral compass. The first person narration by him only hurts the story.
Hence, I don't think I'll finish the book but I am far enough along that I would like to know what happens. I'd read Fallen by this author and liked it so I'm real disappointed.
Sloane Hall is a re-telling of Jane Eyre, set in Hollywood in the 1920s as talking pictures are coming into vogue. In this version “Jane” is John Royce, a poor young man who ends up working as the chauffeur for silent movie star Pauline Sloane (Mr. Rochester).
Although I read the story to the very end, it was only to find out what happened, and to compare it to Jane Eyre. I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, and the drinking, drugs, and sex (and I add profanitiy) made the story too dark for my taste. (Frankly, I found the rape and sodomy completely unnecessary)
Jane, whose heart shines like a thousand-watt beacon, who burns with righteous indignation over injustices and cruelty, is the heart of the original book, and I have always loved her.
John is just an angry, sometimes cruel, young man, with no moral compass. The first person narration by him only hurts the story.
Hence, I don't think I'll finish the book but I am far enough along that I would like to know what happens. I'd read Fallen by this author and liked it so I'm real disappointed.
December 28, 2011
A retelling of Jane Eyre, Sloane Hall tries hard to pay homage to the old classic, but in my opinion comes off as a shabby retelling that recreates each of Bronte's characters at their worst.
I did enjoy the new setting of the story - old Hollywood when "talkies" were coming onto the scene. Jane Eyre becomes John Doyle, a 21 year old trying to do camerawork in Hollywood. Hollywood as a good backdrop as to why the new Rochester (Eleanor Brickman/Pauline Sloane) was having such difficulties. I was enjoying the book (enough to give it 3 stars) up until the wedding scene - then I thought the book fell flat and disappointed, and as a result I only gave it 2 stars. The 2-part big reveal wasn't a big reveal at all, it was kind of a let down, and you only needed the second reveal (that Marta drops), not the first reveal that Robbie tells.
In all, it was an admirable effort. But John was too unforgiving and too angry - he always felt like he had something to prove, yet he wasn't strong enough to stand up to Robbie or Eleanor. Marta, who sees so much but did nothing to help Eleanor escape the clutches of her abuse or Robbie. And Julia - a character that wasn't necessary for the story to move forward at all.
I also think the story would have been better if told from the third person as opposed to John's point of view. I feel like we missed a lot of the story - Eleanor's story mainly - by just being told things from John's point. We only were able to view things (and Eleanor) as he saw them, and I would have liked to know more of what she was thinking, how she truly felt about Robbie, Marta and John.
I also thought it was unnecessary to make John such an ass when dealing with Kate. He spent way too much time moping, then trying to hurt Kate when he was really mad at himself, Robbie and Eleanor.
I enjoyed the tales of old Hollywood and how the sound was changing the way cameramen and directors worked. I wish there was more on that.
I'm a fan of strongly developed characters, and I didn't feel like John or Eleanor were strongly developed. I think if the author didn't feel the necessity to stick so closely to Jane Eyre, and used it as a light inspiration instead of a retelling (and regendered), Sloane Hall would have been better.
I did enjoy the new setting of the story - old Hollywood when "talkies" were coming onto the scene. Jane Eyre becomes John Doyle, a 21 year old trying to do camerawork in Hollywood. Hollywood as a good backdrop as to why the new Rochester (Eleanor Brickman/Pauline Sloane) was having such difficulties. I was enjoying the book (enough to give it 3 stars) up until the wedding scene - then I thought the book fell flat and disappointed, and as a result I only gave it 2 stars. The 2-part big reveal wasn't a big reveal at all, it was kind of a let down, and you only needed the second reveal (that Marta drops), not the first reveal that Robbie tells.
In all, it was an admirable effort. But John was too unforgiving and too angry - he always felt like he had something to prove, yet he wasn't strong enough to stand up to Robbie or Eleanor. Marta, who sees so much but did nothing to help Eleanor escape the clutches of her abuse or Robbie. And Julia - a character that wasn't necessary for the story to move forward at all.
I also think the story would have been better if told from the third person as opposed to John's point of view. I feel like we missed a lot of the story - Eleanor's story mainly - by just being told things from John's point. We only were able to view things (and Eleanor) as he saw them, and I would have liked to know more of what she was thinking, how she truly felt about Robbie, Marta and John.
I also thought it was unnecessary to make John such an ass when dealing with Kate. He spent way too much time moping, then trying to hurt Kate when he was really mad at himself, Robbie and Eleanor.
I enjoyed the tales of old Hollywood and how the sound was changing the way cameramen and directors worked. I wish there was more on that.
I'm a fan of strongly developed characters, and I didn't feel like John or Eleanor were strongly developed. I think if the author didn't feel the necessity to stick so closely to Jane Eyre, and used it as a light inspiration instead of a retelling (and regendered), Sloane Hall would have been better.
October 13, 2010
Wow, Ms. Sternberg has done a wonderful job with Sloane Hall and it's ability to transport me back into time, into the 1920s. I don't know much about this era, but her book feels real to me and I felt like I was in that time, when movies changed from silent to spoken word and how big a change that really was. I honestly thought it was no big deal, but when you think about how much acting had to go into movies without sound it's really impressive. So the setting and the time were done beautifully and I loved this setting.
I will now confess that I have not read Jane Eyre (but will remedy that soon) so I don't know about the parallels to Sloane Hall. I do know that John is a tortured hero, he falls for Pauline but she continues to hurt him no matter what he does and there are some similarities between John's mom and Pauline's behavior that make John want to stay far from Pauline, but he can't. I loved the tortured soul part of it and both characters John and Pauline are tortured in different ways. But not so much that the book becomes unbearable to read, just enough that you feel for both characters trying to change and John trying to change Pauline. The characters are well-written and well-developed. They moved the story along and they were interesting. They were the ones that kept me turning pages. Would John still love Pauline, would she change, what would happen next.
There were even very unexpected things for me in the plot, I won't give those away because I want you to be surprised as well. The surprises work beautifully to move the story along and create more character growth for John.
What else can I say - Ms. Sternberg has a winner in this novel and I am thrilled I got a chance to read and review it. She writes beautiful, tortured characters, puts you right in the time frame and crafts an amazing story around all of it. Wonderful job and a wonderful book - give it a try and see for yourself.
I will now confess that I have not read Jane Eyre (but will remedy that soon) so I don't know about the parallels to Sloane Hall. I do know that John is a tortured hero, he falls for Pauline but she continues to hurt him no matter what he does and there are some similarities between John's mom and Pauline's behavior that make John want to stay far from Pauline, but he can't. I loved the tortured soul part of it and both characters John and Pauline are tortured in different ways. But not so much that the book becomes unbearable to read, just enough that you feel for both characters trying to change and John trying to change Pauline. The characters are well-written and well-developed. They moved the story along and they were interesting. They were the ones that kept me turning pages. Would John still love Pauline, would she change, what would happen next.
There were even very unexpected things for me in the plot, I won't give those away because I want you to be surprised as well. The surprises work beautifully to move the story along and create more character growth for John.
What else can I say - Ms. Sternberg has a winner in this novel and I am thrilled I got a chance to read and review it. She writes beautiful, tortured characters, puts you right in the time frame and crafts an amazing story around all of it. Wonderful job and a wonderful book - give it a try and see for yourself.
September 20, 2010
Set in the Roaring Twenties during the silent film era as it is transitioning to "talkies," John Doyle finds himself in LA and trying to become a camera operator for both the silent and talkie films. He has to eat, so finds himself employed by one of the hottest silent era stars as her chauffeur. She is an illusive, flighty, emotionally unstable alcoholic who is drawn to John personally and certainly him to her. Yet he knows he is a servant, and no matter what direction their relationship may take, he is still a servant. This is a book that has a biographical flavor to the flow of the story--told in the first person--and which allows the reader to become very familiar with the life and background of John and the "baggage" he carries and which informs his reactions and choices. It is a very emotionally charged book and the reader is kept aware and interested because there are mysteries surrounding almost all the characters, almost as though they were characatures rather than personalities in the story. Well written and well researched, it is not erotic in the truest sense but is still charged with the tension between the two main characters. One gets a sense that John is a lonely man trying so very hard to be someone and to be seen as someone of worth. A very good read.
September 2, 2011
Sloane Hall by Libby Sternberg places the story of "Jane Eyre" at the end of the twenties, and around the time of the end of the silent movie era. This novel is also the first and only one (I believe) to switch genders between the main characters, so that "Jane" is now lowly chauffeur John Doyle to "Mr. Rochester"- film star Pauline Sloane. With this change, the dynamic of the story is considerably different. I found both John and Pauline much less sympathetic and weaker than their original counterparts. Libby Sternberg does a fantastic job of transposing scenes and plot points from "Jane Eyre" into the (well researched) golden era of Hollywood. Pauline Sloane's "secret" was a disappointment to me (as in not enough to break up true love) but it was definitely a surprise. It was fun to read how familiar scenes can become so different in Libby's book, but I wasn't as impressed with John and Pauline's romance.
Want to read
February 15, 2016390p In 1920s Hollywood, young John Doyle learns the craft of cinematography when a stupid mistake costs him his job. On a tip, he heads to Sloane Hall, the estate of a famous silent screen actress, Pauline Sloane, where he lands a position as chauffeur. Sloane Hall first offers him peace as he enjoys the bounty of the luxurious home, then unrest as its beautiful namesake returns and starts preparing for her first talking picture. Despite his best efforts to resist, John falls hopelessly in love with his employer. His future brightens, however, when she appears to return his affection, leading to plans for a secret wedding 14until other awful secrets intrude, leading to heartbreak and separation. A story of obsession and forgiveness, Libby Sternberg 19s Sloane Hall was inspired by Charlotte Bronte 19s Jane Eyre. It is a wonderful companion book to that classic. Some strong language in this book, however.
November 21, 2010
This book is a romance novel-y reworking of Jane Eyre, set in Los Angeles in 1929, during the transition from silent movies to talkies. I read it for the Jane Eyre part of that previous sentence.
I like how the author's choices (e.g., setting, reversal of the main characters' genders) force the reader think about Jane Eyre in different ways. The writing was mostly good. It got a bit melodramatic at points, and the ending was maybe a little sappy for me, but my guess is that these things would be less likely to bother most romance novel readers.
I like how the author's choices (e.g., setting, reversal of the main characters' genders) force the reader think about Jane Eyre in different ways. The writing was mostly good. It got a bit melodramatic at points, and the ending was maybe a little sappy for me, but my guess is that these things would be less likely to bother most romance novel readers.
February 26, 2012
This was a free download on Kindle. Such things are hit and miss. This was a miss.
The story is an unsubtle retelling of Jane Eyre told with a male "Eyre" in 1920s Hollywood (and beyond).
It hewed too close to the original story for my tastes, without causing me to care a lot about the actual characters.
The most interesting element of the story was the setting, but even that was rather more blandly related that I would have liked.
Overall, I was simply underwhelmed by the book. It wasn't annoying, but it also wasn't particularly compelling.
The story is an unsubtle retelling of Jane Eyre told with a male "Eyre" in 1920s Hollywood (and beyond).
It hewed too close to the original story for my tastes, without causing me to care a lot about the actual characters.
The most interesting element of the story was the setting, but even that was rather more blandly related that I would have liked.
Overall, I was simply underwhelmed by the book. It wasn't annoying, but it also wasn't particularly compelling.
March 26, 2012
Not a bad read, a little predictable in places although I haven't read Jane Eyre which apparently it is modelled on so that may make it more predictable.
May 10, 2016
A retelling of my favorite book, sure! A retelling with a male lead....hmm, maybe.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews