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The Manor House Governess
This spirited debut pays homage to the British classics—with a genderfluid protagonist and 21st-century twist—perfect for fans of Emily M. Danforth and Andrew Sean Greer.
Set against the rarefied backdrop of high society, this one-of-a-kind, queer novel features 5 stunning illustrations of modern-day Cambridge.
Orphaned young and raised with chilly indifference at an all-boys boarding school, Brontë Ellis has grown up stifled by rigid rules and social “norms,” forbidden from expressing his gender identity. His beloved novels and period films lend an escape, until a position as a live-in tutor provides him with a chance to leave St. Mary’s behind.
Greenwood Manor is the kind of elegant country house Bron has only read about, and amid lavish parties and cricket matches the Edwards family welcomes him into the household with true warmth. Mr. Edwards and the young Ada, Bron’s pupil, accept without question that Bron’s gender presentation is not traditionally masculine. Only Darcy, the eldest son, seems uncomfortable with Bron—the two of them couldn’t be more opposite.
When a tragic fire blazes through the estate’s idyllic peace, Bron begins to sense dark secrets smoldering beneath Greenwood Manor’s surface. Channeling the heroines of his cherished paperbacks, he begins to sift through the wreckage. Soon, he’s not sure what to believe, especially with his increasing attraction to Darcy clouding his vision.
Drawing energy and inspiration from Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, E.M. Forster, and more, while bowing to popular fiction such as Plain Bad Heroines and Red, White, and Royal Blue, The Manor House Governess is a smart, sublimely charming novel destined to become a modern classic.
Set against the rarefied backdrop of high society, this one-of-a-kind, queer novel features 5 stunning illustrations of modern-day Cambridge.
Orphaned young and raised with chilly indifference at an all-boys boarding school, Brontë Ellis has grown up stifled by rigid rules and social “norms,” forbidden from expressing his gender identity. His beloved novels and period films lend an escape, until a position as a live-in tutor provides him with a chance to leave St. Mary’s behind.
Greenwood Manor is the kind of elegant country house Bron has only read about, and amid lavish parties and cricket matches the Edwards family welcomes him into the household with true warmth. Mr. Edwards and the young Ada, Bron’s pupil, accept without question that Bron’s gender presentation is not traditionally masculine. Only Darcy, the eldest son, seems uncomfortable with Bron—the two of them couldn’t be more opposite.
When a tragic fire blazes through the estate’s idyllic peace, Bron begins to sense dark secrets smoldering beneath Greenwood Manor’s surface. Channeling the heroines of his cherished paperbacks, he begins to sift through the wreckage. Soon, he’s not sure what to believe, especially with his increasing attraction to Darcy clouding his vision.
Drawing energy and inspiration from Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, E.M. Forster, and more, while bowing to popular fiction such as Plain Bad Heroines and Red, White, and Royal Blue, The Manor House Governess is a smart, sublimely charming novel destined to become a modern classic.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2023
26 people are currently reading
3244 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Castle
1 book28 followersBorn on a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and later raised in England, United Kingdom, Charlie is the author of The Manor House Governess, under the pseudonym C. A. Castle, as well as an anthologist. He has a degree in English Literature from King’s College, London, and a Masters in Film and Screen studies from the University of Cambridge.
When not writing, Charlie enjoys good period dramas, bold fashion choices, afternoon tea, and white chocolate. He is also an Editor at one of the big-five publishing houses. He lives in Cambridgeshire
When not writing, Charlie enjoys good period dramas, bold fashion choices, afternoon tea, and white chocolate. He is also an Editor at one of the big-five publishing houses. He lives in Cambridgeshire
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
March 19, 2023
Such a delight. One for all fans of Jane Eyre!
March 23, 2023
boring and base.
as a nonbinary person (they/them) myself, this novel was just not doing it for me. it was essentially full of conversations with very basic acceptance of gender and sexuality. like “homophobia is bad” / “oh yes it’s so bad” etc. there is no revelation. there is no true advancement for gender nonconforming people in this novel. the main character, bron, made me so frustrated and angry. the romance was also strange, forced, and kind of icky.
when you write a gothic novel set in modern day, you don’t include internet slang. it doesn’t mesh well, it doesn’t work at all. from letters to texts, the tone is completely off. this novel was very predictable, and yet it was still confusing due to the gothic nature clashing with modern slang. i felt nothing for any of the characters. if they’re going to text like modern people, why don’t they talk like modern people? not to mention, the pretentious writing leads to misused words that make absolutely no sense in the context the author uses.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
as a nonbinary person (they/them) myself, this novel was just not doing it for me. it was essentially full of conversations with very basic acceptance of gender and sexuality. like “homophobia is bad” / “oh yes it’s so bad” etc. there is no revelation. there is no true advancement for gender nonconforming people in this novel. the main character, bron, made me so frustrated and angry. the romance was also strange, forced, and kind of icky.
when you write a gothic novel set in modern day, you don’t include internet slang. it doesn’t mesh well, it doesn’t work at all. from letters to texts, the tone is completely off. this novel was very predictable, and yet it was still confusing due to the gothic nature clashing with modern slang. i felt nothing for any of the characters. if they’re going to text like modern people, why don’t they talk like modern people? not to mention, the pretentious writing leads to misused words that make absolutely no sense in the context the author uses.
thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2023
On the one hand I think it’s neat that a book with a gender queer main character doesn’t fall neatly into a specific genre box. But on the other hand I feel like the fact that I couldn’t quite pin down what type of story this was held me back from getting fully sucked in. It has elements of mystery, elements of gothic romance, elements of a coming of age in your 20s story, and looking back on childhood experiences. All of those things are interesting, but they also all ended up feeling a bit surface level.
I liked the characters and the writing. There was an interesting style which made it feel like a classic, gothic story even though it was set in the modern day. Overall I came away from this book just feeling like it was fine. It was a quick, easy read but I don’t think it’s one that will stick much in my mind.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the characters and the writing. There was an interesting style which made it feel like a classic, gothic story even though it was set in the modern day. Overall I came away from this book just feeling like it was fine. It was a quick, easy read but I don’t think it’s one that will stick much in my mind.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2023
Happy uhh release day!
[Review by a nonbinary reader] DNF at 25%.
Thanks to Alcove Press via Netgalley for a copy to review - I wish I had better things to say. This will be out November 7th.
I somehow missed that this was a 21st century retelling; as soon as our genderfluid protagonist scrolled through an email on their phone, I felt out of it. And the retelling aspects were shoved at the reader like a sales flyer, there was no craft to the story.
The attempt at Victorian prose amid emails and wifi - I couldn't deal with the anachronistic style. The protagonist's introduction read extremely clunky, too - I think their gender fluidity could have come out more organically through the story, but no, several awkward paragraphs try to get that out of the way and lay out a...wardrobe manifesto? for the character. The extremely randomly placed illustrations added nothing to the story, either, and I gave up in dismay at the quarter mark.
[Review by a nonbinary reader] DNF at 25%.
Thanks to Alcove Press via Netgalley for a copy to review - I wish I had better things to say. This will be out November 7th.
I somehow missed that this was a 21st century retelling; as soon as our genderfluid protagonist scrolled through an email on their phone, I felt out of it. And the retelling aspects were shoved at the reader like a sales flyer, there was no craft to the story.
The attempt at Victorian prose amid emails and wifi - I couldn't deal with the anachronistic style. The protagonist's introduction read extremely clunky, too - I think their gender fluidity could have come out more organically through the story, but no, several awkward paragraphs try to get that out of the way and lay out a...wardrobe manifesto? for the character. The extremely randomly placed illustrations added nothing to the story, either, and I gave up in dismay at the quarter mark.
October 17, 2023
The Manor House Governess offers a 21st Century homage to and disruption of the novels of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë. The novel is set our present. Our central character, Bron, was orphaned young and has spent most of his life as a student, then instructor at a boys' boarding school. Bron, who has male genitalia and uses he pronouns, feels most comfortable when he can express femininity, mixing male and female apparel. His hair is long. He's slightly built. He's been consistently bullied at the boarding school that's become his de facto home. He's survived there by reading and rereading Austen and Brontë novels and watching and rewatching film adaptations of those novels.
[Aside: this is a hard review to write because of the charged nature of gender and sexual identity. We all have preferred terms. We all have preferred pronouns. I'm trying to write using the terminology I think Bron would use. If it isn't the terminology you prefer, please be forgiving.]
However, everything is about to change. Bron has been hired as a live-in tutor (a governess) for nine-year-old Ada, the only child in a manor house, which is shared with her father, a housekeeper, and—occasionally—her adult brother Darcy. From the beginning, the members of the household are comfortable with Bron's nonbinary expression. Ada does get a bit frustrated early on and pesters Bron about his pronouns, but the pestering originates in her desire to respect his identity as he defines it. The only member of the household is uncomfortable with Bron is Darcy (the name is no coincidence).
You can imagine the kinds of things that follow. Bron and Ada grow deeply attached to one another. Ada and her father including Bron is household events, which he finds uncomfortable, coming from an utterly different economic background than theirs and existing in the no-person's land of not-family, but more-than-servent. There are balls. Cricket matches. A breakfast room where breakfast is eaten. A remarkable library holding generations' worth of treasured volumes. The only person present who treats Bron critically is Darcy. Everything each one of them says to the other is perceived as an insult or provocation.
If you've read any Austen or Brontë, you can predict much of what will happen. Poor, not-quite-a-girl governess meets arrogant rich man and they despise each other. The family has secrets, lots of them. Some of the family's closest friends may not be as well-disposed as they seem. The housekeeper may be up to no good. There's a fire. There are fights, misunderstandings, and moments of deep distrust.
I absolutely love what this novel did in modernizing a well-worn trope. Characters can easily be matched with their equivalents in Austen and Brontë's work. But here's the thing of it: I've just wearied of novels where the driving question is "will these two wind up together?" If you enjoy romances and comedies of manners, The Manor House Governess will delight you. If you're more ambivalent about such things, you may feel less emotionally engaged, but you will definitely take pleasure in this twisting of the genre.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
[Aside: this is a hard review to write because of the charged nature of gender and sexual identity. We all have preferred terms. We all have preferred pronouns. I'm trying to write using the terminology I think Bron would use. If it isn't the terminology you prefer, please be forgiving.]
However, everything is about to change. Bron has been hired as a live-in tutor (a governess) for nine-year-old Ada, the only child in a manor house, which is shared with her father, a housekeeper, and—occasionally—her adult brother Darcy. From the beginning, the members of the household are comfortable with Bron's nonbinary expression. Ada does get a bit frustrated early on and pesters Bron about his pronouns, but the pestering originates in her desire to respect his identity as he defines it. The only member of the household is uncomfortable with Bron is Darcy (the name is no coincidence).
You can imagine the kinds of things that follow. Bron and Ada grow deeply attached to one another. Ada and her father including Bron is household events, which he finds uncomfortable, coming from an utterly different economic background than theirs and existing in the no-person's land of not-family, but more-than-servent. There are balls. Cricket matches. A breakfast room where breakfast is eaten. A remarkable library holding generations' worth of treasured volumes. The only person present who treats Bron critically is Darcy. Everything each one of them says to the other is perceived as an insult or provocation.
If you've read any Austen or Brontë, you can predict much of what will happen. Poor, not-quite-a-girl governess meets arrogant rich man and they despise each other. The family has secrets, lots of them. Some of the family's closest friends may not be as well-disposed as they seem. The housekeeper may be up to no good. There's a fire. There are fights, misunderstandings, and moments of deep distrust.
I absolutely love what this novel did in modernizing a well-worn trope. Characters can easily be matched with their equivalents in Austen and Brontë's work. But here's the thing of it: I've just wearied of novels where the driving question is "will these two wind up together?" If you enjoy romances and comedies of manners, The Manor House Governess will delight you. If you're more ambivalent about such things, you may feel less emotionally engaged, but you will definitely take pleasure in this twisting of the genre.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
November 7, 2023
2.5 stars somewhat generously rounded up to 3 stars
Where do I even start? Let's go with the handful of things I actually enjoyed about the book. The overall concept was great. A queer, genderfluid governess sweeping gender norms and expectations takes a job and gets the aloof, uptight son of his employer to fall in love with him. I like a good story where a character finds themselves and goes out into the world confident. It had potential. Tie in a little bit of drama with a mystery at the center, and you have even more going for you. Bonus points if it's an Own Voice story. Unfortunately, that's where the good parts end, in untapped potential and a dash of positive representation.
This book wanted so badly to be a regency novel that made a statement about gender and queerness, but it did it very poorly. At least half of the conversations about being queer, genderfluid, trans, etc were dumped awkwardly in the most random places, like sticking a round peg in a square hole, It got crammed in there, sure, but it didn't work well and stood out in a not great way. It made for a very bumpy read, which is disappointing because important points were made. I think with a little polish, this aspect could have been much smoother.
When it came to the regency novel bit, well, if you want to write a regency novel, just write an actual regency novel. No need to dress it up as a modern novel. The writing style very much read like an old-fashioned novel in everything from descriptions to dialogue. You'd be reading along, half-convinced you were in the 19th century enjoying masquerades, furtive flirting, and social intrigue when suddenly in the next paragraph someone is pulling up email on their phone or responding "C U then x" and ruining the whole mood. It just didn't work well AT ALL. And I get that the MC is into these novels, so if it had been first person, all from his perspective, I could see him dressing up things in his mind, but even then the dialogue would have been modern. As it was, the dialogue felt forced and stilted. I may not be a rich British man, but I have a hard time believing anyone in modern British society actually talks like that. It felt very unnatural and messed up the flow of the entire book.
And while we are discussing the MC's love of classic literature, I find it somewhat unbelievable he wouldn't have known who Christopher Marlowe was. I can see maybe not having read much from him or not being as big of a fan, but to not know who he was at all? I don't buy it.
The overall writing style, regency want-to-be or not, was quite rough in places. People would be having normal conversations and then it would be interrupted. Sometimes the interruption was a summery of the rest of the conversation instead of just letting it play out, only to dump you back into the conversation a couple sentences later. Other times the interruptions were the MCs internal ramblings giving you a needless background info dump. And the way it switched from present to past (sometimes very recent past) was awkward and lumpy. It was sometimes hard to keep track of what was going on. Either way, it did not flow well at all.
Now for the story itself. There honestly wasn't much of a plot, which made for a very dull read. I found my mind wandering more than once and had to force myself to pay attention. It was a lot of the MC practically stalking Darcy, Darcy avoiding the MC, them making amends, and the whole thing repeating. I didn't feel any connection between Bron and Darcy. I wasn't rooting against them, but I honestly didn't care if they got together. They had zero chemistry, even in the middle of making out. The way Darcy treated Bron was off putting (obviously meant to be a nod to the original Mr. Darcy but done poorly) and, as I said above, Bron was basically stalking Darcy. He was constantly watching him and looking for excuses to sneak into his room and every STOLE A PAIR OF HIS UNDERWEAR TO JERK OFF TO. Like, ew. No. It was more creepy than endearing.
The hostility between characters didn't really make sense. Years had evidentially passed, but it was all treated as a fresh wound. The big "secret" was clear as day so the "big reveal" wasn't really all that big. But did that stop the author from writing a long, rambling section where the MC made up scenario after scenario of how things surely went down? Hahahaha Nope. So many pages wasted on speculation that ended up being only half-true at best. It felt a bit like the author was trying to hit a word count for the chapter and decided to throw this part in to hit it. (I fully admit I skimmed most of it because it was tedious and did nothing but delay the actual progression of the plot.)
Most of the side characters were flat or straight out annoying. I really don't think I liked any of them, if I'm entirely honest. They were NPCs strolling in and out of the story with their rehearsed lines. They all could have died tragically (one of them kind of did) and I would've shrugged and turned the page.
And the ending was, well, not exactly bad, but it wasn't good either. After pushing myself through the dregs of this book I wanted a crisp, happy ending. And while it wasn't unhappy, it was abrupt and a bit open ended and terribly unsatisfactory.
And honestly, I could go on about what I didn't like, but we'd be here all day. Suffice it to say I did not enjoy this book, despite it promising many of the things I love in a story. I came very close to DNFing around 30%, but since I don't review books I DNF, I basically hate-read it so I could finish and leave a review. There was also some piece of me that hoped it would get better and live up to it's potential, but alas, that was a wasted dream. I can't really say I recommend this book, but since there's nothing inherently problematic or wrong with it, I'm sure there's an audience out there somewhere who will love it. I'm just not part of it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
Where do I even start? Let's go with the handful of things I actually enjoyed about the book. The overall concept was great. A queer, genderfluid governess sweeping gender norms and expectations takes a job and gets the aloof, uptight son of his employer to fall in love with him. I like a good story where a character finds themselves and goes out into the world confident. It had potential. Tie in a little bit of drama with a mystery at the center, and you have even more going for you. Bonus points if it's an Own Voice story. Unfortunately, that's where the good parts end, in untapped potential and a dash of positive representation.
This book wanted so badly to be a regency novel that made a statement about gender and queerness, but it did it very poorly. At least half of the conversations about being queer, genderfluid, trans, etc were dumped awkwardly in the most random places, like sticking a round peg in a square hole, It got crammed in there, sure, but it didn't work well and stood out in a not great way. It made for a very bumpy read, which is disappointing because important points were made. I think with a little polish, this aspect could have been much smoother.
When it came to the regency novel bit, well, if you want to write a regency novel, just write an actual regency novel. No need to dress it up as a modern novel. The writing style very much read like an old-fashioned novel in everything from descriptions to dialogue. You'd be reading along, half-convinced you were in the 19th century enjoying masquerades, furtive flirting, and social intrigue when suddenly in the next paragraph someone is pulling up email on their phone or responding "C U then x" and ruining the whole mood. It just didn't work well AT ALL. And I get that the MC is into these novels, so if it had been first person, all from his perspective, I could see him dressing up things in his mind, but even then the dialogue would have been modern. As it was, the dialogue felt forced and stilted. I may not be a rich British man, but I have a hard time believing anyone in modern British society actually talks like that. It felt very unnatural and messed up the flow of the entire book.
And while we are discussing the MC's love of classic literature, I find it somewhat unbelievable he wouldn't have known who Christopher Marlowe was. I can see maybe not having read much from him or not being as big of a fan, but to not know who he was at all? I don't buy it.
The overall writing style, regency want-to-be or not, was quite rough in places. People would be having normal conversations and then it would be interrupted. Sometimes the interruption was a summery of the rest of the conversation instead of just letting it play out, only to dump you back into the conversation a couple sentences later. Other times the interruptions were the MCs internal ramblings giving you a needless background info dump. And the way it switched from present to past (sometimes very recent past) was awkward and lumpy. It was sometimes hard to keep track of what was going on. Either way, it did not flow well at all.
Now for the story itself. There honestly wasn't much of a plot, which made for a very dull read. I found my mind wandering more than once and had to force myself to pay attention. It was a lot of the MC practically stalking Darcy, Darcy avoiding the MC, them making amends, and the whole thing repeating. I didn't feel any connection between Bron and Darcy. I wasn't rooting against them, but I honestly didn't care if they got together. They had zero chemistry, even in the middle of making out. The way Darcy treated Bron was off putting (obviously meant to be a nod to the original Mr. Darcy but done poorly) and, as I said above, Bron was basically stalking Darcy. He was constantly watching him and looking for excuses to sneak into his room and every STOLE A PAIR OF HIS UNDERWEAR TO JERK OFF TO. Like, ew. No. It was more creepy than endearing.
The hostility between characters didn't really make sense. Years had evidentially passed, but it was all treated as a fresh wound. The big "secret" was clear as day so the "big reveal" wasn't really all that big. But did that stop the author from writing a long, rambling section where the MC made up scenario after scenario of how things surely went down? Hahahaha Nope. So many pages wasted on speculation that ended up being only half-true at best. It felt a bit like the author was trying to hit a word count for the chapter and decided to throw this part in to hit it. (I fully admit I skimmed most of it because it was tedious and did nothing but delay the actual progression of the plot.)
Most of the side characters were flat or straight out annoying. I really don't think I liked any of them, if I'm entirely honest. They were NPCs strolling in and out of the story with their rehearsed lines. They all could have died tragically (one of them kind of did) and I would've shrugged and turned the page.
And the ending was, well, not exactly bad, but it wasn't good either. After pushing myself through the dregs of this book I wanted a crisp, happy ending. And while it wasn't unhappy, it was abrupt and a bit open ended and terribly unsatisfactory.
And honestly, I could go on about what I didn't like, but we'd be here all day. Suffice it to say I did not enjoy this book, despite it promising many of the things I love in a story. I came very close to DNFing around 30%, but since I don't review books I DNF, I basically hate-read it so I could finish and leave a review. There was also some piece of me that hoped it would get better and live up to it's potential, but alas, that was a wasted dream. I can't really say I recommend this book, but since there's nothing inherently problematic or wrong with it, I'm sure there's an audience out there somewhere who will love it. I'm just not part of it.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
November 10, 2023
What a fun and cheeky nod to the classical favorites of Brontë and Austen! This story follows Bron, (He is gender non-binary but uses “he” pronouns for himself so I will do the same) a lover of classics with the tendency to get lost in his own fantasies - particularly if they involve family secrets and manor fires of questionable origin (to be fair, I’d be a little suspicious too if I lived in a manor where people sneak around and unexplained fires occur).
I absolutely adore Bron and his dramatics - he’s over the top and every bit an Austen character in the most endearing and joyful ways! And his brooding love interest Darcy (because of course his name is Darcy) is every bit of the mysterious but intriguing character you expect him to be.
If you love a good contemporary take on Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice with plenty of tongue in cheek nods to those very classics then I would definitely recommend this read!
I consumed the audiobook version of the novel and the narrator did a wonderful job - I couldn’t imagine Bron being voiced by anyone else!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the arc! I am leaving this review voluntarily!
I absolutely adore Bron and his dramatics - he’s over the top and every bit an Austen character in the most endearing and joyful ways! And his brooding love interest Darcy (because of course his name is Darcy) is every bit of the mysterious but intriguing character you expect him to be.
If you love a good contemporary take on Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice with plenty of tongue in cheek nods to those very classics then I would definitely recommend this read!
I consumed the audiobook version of the novel and the narrator did a wonderful job - I couldn’t imagine Bron being voiced by anyone else!
Special thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for the arc! I am leaving this review voluntarily!
November 18, 2023
3.5 Stars
A queer, contemporary take on Jane Eyre (and Victorian-era literature) that lovers of slow burn, character driven narratives will thoroughly enjoy.
I’m a sucker for all things Jane Eyre and so jumped at the opportunity to read an early copy. Which, though different from my expectations, was still an enjoyable read.
However, I did find the contemporary setting slightly jarring at first (and the pacing a little slower than I would’ve liked), that being said, the depth and detail to the setting (and our characters) was wonderful.
I loved Bron, our highly dramatic (and titular governess) whose love of vintage clothing, Jane Eyre and staying true to themselves was endearing. Their experiences in love, relationships and self-reflection (via inner monologue) and the complicated interwoven nature of The Edward’s family did make this feel more like a coming of age story than a gothic one (so do bear that in mind should you pick this up.)
We are treated to a decent amount of intensity and longing in the interactions between Bron and Darcy (our modern day Mr. Rochester/love interest) that slow-burn lovers are bound to enjoy regardless.
I also really loved Ada, who was an absolute, precocious delight in her bossy, take charge personality.
The juxtaposition between the contemporary setting and Bron’s romanticised Victorian vocabulary (and mannerisms) was a really interesting concept (that showcased the love of all things Brontë and Austen really well), but did take some getting used to.
I do have to applaud C.A Castle on their skill at exploring identity, queerness and the LGBTQ+ experience in such a heartfelt and intimate manner. Through both Bron and several other characters we meet, we delve into the vast and varied perspectives of what it means to be queer in modern day Britain—which was really amazing.
If you enjoy contemporary retellings or are looking for something a little more original than most reimaginings then I’d say definitely give this a go— especially if you enjoy (or a partial to) Jane Eyre.
Also a massive thank you to Abi Walton and Black & White Publishing for the wonderful proof.
A queer, contemporary take on Jane Eyre (and Victorian-era literature) that lovers of slow burn, character driven narratives will thoroughly enjoy.
I’m a sucker for all things Jane Eyre and so jumped at the opportunity to read an early copy. Which, though different from my expectations, was still an enjoyable read.
However, I did find the contemporary setting slightly jarring at first (and the pacing a little slower than I would’ve liked), that being said, the depth and detail to the setting (and our characters) was wonderful.
I loved Bron, our highly dramatic (and titular governess) whose love of vintage clothing, Jane Eyre and staying true to themselves was endearing. Their experiences in love, relationships and self-reflection (via inner monologue) and the complicated interwoven nature of The Edward’s family did make this feel more like a coming of age story than a gothic one (so do bear that in mind should you pick this up.)
We are treated to a decent amount of intensity and longing in the interactions between Bron and Darcy (our modern day Mr. Rochester/love interest) that slow-burn lovers are bound to enjoy regardless.
I also really loved Ada, who was an absolute, precocious delight in her bossy, take charge personality.
The juxtaposition between the contemporary setting and Bron’s romanticised Victorian vocabulary (and mannerisms) was a really interesting concept (that showcased the love of all things Brontë and Austen really well), but did take some getting used to.
I do have to applaud C.A Castle on their skill at exploring identity, queerness and the LGBTQ+ experience in such a heartfelt and intimate manner. Through both Bron and several other characters we meet, we delve into the vast and varied perspectives of what it means to be queer in modern day Britain—which was really amazing.
If you enjoy contemporary retellings or are looking for something a little more original than most reimaginings then I’d say definitely give this a go— especially if you enjoy (or a partial to) Jane Eyre.
Also a massive thank you to Abi Walton and Black & White Publishing for the wonderful proof.
November 21, 2023
A queer coming of age debut story featuring a gender fluid MC, perfect for fans of Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austen.
This was a heartfelt modern reimagining of classic English gothic romances that sees orphan Bron, a young, lonely youth taking up a position as a tutor in a remote English manor house where they meet a love interest who projects tons of Fitzwilliam Darcy vibes.
Great on audio narrated by Cloud Quinn, I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read what this author writes next!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: transphobia/queerphobia
This was a heartfelt modern reimagining of classic English gothic romances that sees orphan Bron, a young, lonely youth taking up a position as a tutor in a remote English manor house where they meet a love interest who projects tons of Fitzwilliam Darcy vibes.
Great on audio narrated by Cloud Quinn, I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read what this author writes next!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
⚠️CW: transphobia/queerphobia
September 29, 2023
(2) e-ARC given by NetGalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review.
This book was very hard to read due to the juxtaposition of tone and place. It’s set in modern times, yet the prose is very 19th Century, and it’s just… weird. I couldn’t get into the plot (if there was any) and the characters were hardly built up at all, with it being difficult to understand motives. The reveal at the end was more told rather than revealed, and the ending itself was quite lacklustre. I appreciate the message about gender norms, but it felt like very conversation was centred around it, and as a trans and queer person myself it felt quite forced.
This book was very hard to read due to the juxtaposition of tone and place. It’s set in modern times, yet the prose is very 19th Century, and it’s just… weird. I couldn’t get into the plot (if there was any) and the characters were hardly built up at all, with it being difficult to understand motives. The reveal at the end was more told rather than revealed, and the ending itself was quite lacklustre. I appreciate the message about gender norms, but it felt like very conversation was centred around it, and as a trans and queer person myself it felt quite forced.
November 10, 2024
4.25⭐️ (Rounded up for Goodreads)
“He waived his copy of his beloved Brontë book, the text that brought him the most comfort. Always promoting his thoughts like a ghost. Telling him that he could be who he was, dress the way he wanted. The world as he knew it was wrecked. The sneers in the street whenever he walked past. The state of his country. But the poor obscure heroine got there in the end. And this was the start of his own story.”
The Manor House Governess reads like a love letter to Victorian gothic literature. It’s a novel for fans of Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Wuthering Heights who want more queer representation in their books.
Written in classical British prose but set in modern day, this one’s a slow burn. Romance, secrets, and mystery abound in this contemporary coming-of-age novel.
The main character, Bron (short for Brontë), is gender fluid and doesn’t always prescribe to a masculine presentation. Bron spends his childhood at an all-boys boarding school where he’s ostracized and often feels like an outsider. After graduation, Bron becomes a teaching assistant at the boarding school but when an opportunity as a live-in Governess arises, Bron forges ahead to Cambridge.
Bron’s hired as a Governess for the wealthy Edward’s family. He travels to their lavish country estate, Greenwood Manor, where he’s warmly welcomed and accepted with open arms. He quickly develops a charmingly tender relationship with his young pupil, Ada. Soon, Bron begins developing feelings for the brooding and enigmatic, Darcy, the Edward’s heir. Sadly, tragedy befalls Greenwood Manor and reveals that Darcy’s hiding some dark secrets.
*After the disappointing Trump victory in the U.S. presidential election; this novel, with the representation and normalization it portrays, is especially relevant now more than ever. I’m honestly scared for my LGBTQIA friends. I worry about their safety and/or access to gender-affirming medications and surgeries that may potentially be taken away. I worry that allies will hesitate to speak out in defense of the disenfranchised for fear of their own safety. I worry about basic human rights and the ability to access books from local libraries because they’ll be banned. It’s crazy times ya’ll. Show your support for women, minorities and the queer communities as much as you can. ✌🏿🫶🏾
“He waived his copy of his beloved Brontë book, the text that brought him the most comfort. Always promoting his thoughts like a ghost. Telling him that he could be who he was, dress the way he wanted. The world as he knew it was wrecked. The sneers in the street whenever he walked past. The state of his country. But the poor obscure heroine got there in the end. And this was the start of his own story.”
The Manor House Governess reads like a love letter to Victorian gothic literature. It’s a novel for fans of Jane Eyre, Rebecca, and Wuthering Heights who want more queer representation in their books.
Written in classical British prose but set in modern day, this one’s a slow burn. Romance, secrets, and mystery abound in this contemporary coming-of-age novel.
The main character, Bron (short for Brontë), is gender fluid and doesn’t always prescribe to a masculine presentation. Bron spends his childhood at an all-boys boarding school where he’s ostracized and often feels like an outsider. After graduation, Bron becomes a teaching assistant at the boarding school but when an opportunity as a live-in Governess arises, Bron forges ahead to Cambridge.
Bron’s hired as a Governess for the wealthy Edward’s family. He travels to their lavish country estate, Greenwood Manor, where he’s warmly welcomed and accepted with open arms. He quickly develops a charmingly tender relationship with his young pupil, Ada. Soon, Bron begins developing feelings for the brooding and enigmatic, Darcy, the Edward’s heir. Sadly, tragedy befalls Greenwood Manor and reveals that Darcy’s hiding some dark secrets.
*After the disappointing Trump victory in the U.S. presidential election; this novel, with the representation and normalization it portrays, is especially relevant now more than ever. I’m honestly scared for my LGBTQIA friends. I worry about their safety and/or access to gender-affirming medications and surgeries that may potentially be taken away. I worry that allies will hesitate to speak out in defense of the disenfranchised for fear of their own safety. I worry about basic human rights and the ability to access books from local libraries because they’ll be banned. It’s crazy times ya’ll. Show your support for women, minorities and the queer communities as much as you can. ✌🏿🫶🏾
April 5, 2023
Sweet story about a dreamy, earnest, silly, lonely young person who takes a job as a governess just like his literary hero, Jane Eyre. Very compelling protagonist (one might even call him “plucky”!), a bit meandering, but with a *fantastic* ending. Recommended for people who love coming of age stories, the Brontës, and the gentle (but very detailed) skewering of English literature devotees.
Bron is an orphan without prospects (he didn’t get into university), alone in a world that is at best not particularly interested in him. He exists on a diet of classic English literature and Youtube eyeliner tutorials which I found frankly very realistic to a certain type of person, of which I have known and loved (and occasionally rolled my eyes at) a few… (Yes I went to college with a few Brons and the fact that you’re reading this review means there’s a higher than normal probability that you’re one too - love you guys! I’m more of a Rochester than a Jane to be quite frank lol, maybe that’s why I rooted for Bron even as he occasionally says and does some kinda dumb stuff on his quest for self-actualization + happily ever after.)
I loved the meta-take on Jane Eyre a lot, I think especially because so much of it is Bron making the connections to Jane Eyre himself even if they’re not necessarily there… and thematically his journey *is* very similar to Jane’s. I do think some of the characters aren’t quite as realized as Bron is - Darcy, for example, was hard to get a handle on as I think his voice needed to be more distinct - and the Agatha Christie turn the plot took for a bit there wasn’t as strong as it could have been for me. Much of this book is about what’s happening in the moment, and necessarily so, because Bron has no plans and no options for his future - he has to live in the present - but at some points in the book I did think the plot could have moved along a bit more quickly.
What really really really worked for me about this book was the ending. A great ending!! Sometimes it seems like they’re impossible to write and then you stumble across one like this! I was really wondering and anticipating how it would work out and for me, it was the perfect balance of elements - and I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it. All I will say is that this really is a coming of age story, and I was very happy for Bron in the end.
Bron is an orphan without prospects (he didn’t get into university), alone in a world that is at best not particularly interested in him. He exists on a diet of classic English literature and Youtube eyeliner tutorials which I found frankly very realistic to a certain type of person, of which I have known and loved (and occasionally rolled my eyes at) a few… (Yes I went to college with a few Brons and the fact that you’re reading this review means there’s a higher than normal probability that you’re one too - love you guys! I’m more of a Rochester than a Jane to be quite frank lol, maybe that’s why I rooted for Bron even as he occasionally says and does some kinda dumb stuff on his quest for self-actualization + happily ever after.)
I loved the meta-take on Jane Eyre a lot, I think especially because so much of it is Bron making the connections to Jane Eyre himself even if they’re not necessarily there… and thematically his journey *is* very similar to Jane’s. I do think some of the characters aren’t quite as realized as Bron is - Darcy, for example, was hard to get a handle on as I think his voice needed to be more distinct - and the Agatha Christie turn the plot took for a bit there wasn’t as strong as it could have been for me. Much of this book is about what’s happening in the moment, and necessarily so, because Bron has no plans and no options for his future - he has to live in the present - but at some points in the book I did think the plot could have moved along a bit more quickly.
What really really really worked for me about this book was the ending. A great ending!! Sometimes it seems like they’re impossible to write and then you stumble across one like this! I was really wondering and anticipating how it would work out and for me, it was the perfect balance of elements - and I won’t say more because I don’t want to spoil it. All I will say is that this really is a coming of age story, and I was very happy for Bron in the end.
November 14, 2023
A wonderfully sweet, sharp, clever and unique spin on Modern Gothic, and easily one of my favorite reads of 2023.
Bron is a lonely, genderfluid orphan obsessed with Gothic classics heroines who suddenly finds himself with an opportunity to live out his own version of Jane Eyre. Or so he hopes.
In reality it’s of course a lot more complicated than that, and all the gothic tropes are turned slyly upside down and sideways in this terrifically clever and unusual story.
I’d call this a light gothic, but the atmosphere and slow build are wonderfully done regardless, and the story plays on traditional genre themes while spinning them into something entirely new.
I absolutely adored the characters. You’ll never root harder for a protagonist than you will for Bron, and also for the found family he wants so badly to build. I love a book that hits you in the feels without being manipulative or saccharine, and this book does that brilliantly. Absolutely loved this story.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Bron is a lonely, genderfluid orphan obsessed with Gothic classics heroines who suddenly finds himself with an opportunity to live out his own version of Jane Eyre. Or so he hopes.
In reality it’s of course a lot more complicated than that, and all the gothic tropes are turned slyly upside down and sideways in this terrifically clever and unusual story.
I’d call this a light gothic, but the atmosphere and slow build are wonderfully done regardless, and the story plays on traditional genre themes while spinning them into something entirely new.
I absolutely adored the characters. You’ll never root harder for a protagonist than you will for Bron, and also for the found family he wants so badly to build. I love a book that hits you in the feels without being manipulative or saccharine, and this book does that brilliantly. Absolutely loved this story.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
November 11, 2023
The Manor House Governess by C.A. Castle focuses on Bron, a genderfluid individual who is an orphan stuck away in an unpleasant boy's school. When the opportunity arises for him to take a position tutoring a young girl in a manor, he leaps at it. He has absorbed, loved, and devoured the novels of the 19th century and thinks he will find a Romantic--and possibly romantic--existence as a governess, free to dress as he likes and present as he wishes. Things aren't that easy, however, when his employer's son Darcy arrives, and he finds himself struggling in the position that had started to feel like home.
I really wanted to like this book, because I think it's important to see more queer stories produced by queer people, and I rejoice when they are made available. The only problem is...I didn't like it. The writing is very jarring; people speak in flowery prose, but it's set in the modern times. And the book repeatedly hammers home the need for gender nonconforming people and queer people to exist freely and without violence. Just over and over again. I didn't feel any chemistry between Bron and Darcy; it was as though I should root for them merely because it's what the novel required, and it seemed really abrupt when it came about.
I'm posting these bits here in depth on Goodreads to mull over, but:
-An example of how it circled back to identity constantly was when Darcy complimented Bron about sticking it out because Ada was prone to chasing her tutors away, and Bron replies with a detour into a mention about how TERFs won't let trans people piss in peace. It felt as though these issues weren't necessarily brought up organically and were, instead, a running line through Bron's thoughts and he'd blurt them out in conversation where it didn't really fit.
-Partly because of the wariness cultivated from his gender identity and sexual orientation, Bron immediately recognises people as enemies, or expects the very worst from any sort of interaction. Darcy is not to be trusted; he's obviously mocking Bron behind his back. Ada asks to read Jane Eyre and he snaps at her because Harry (his friend from school) hadn't liked it. Time and again people are kind to Bron, and Bron responds sharply and rudely.
-An educator at a university makes the comment that Marlowe may not be as famous as Shakespeare because Shakespeare produced heteronormative works. Really? Shakespeare? His sonnets? As You Like It? Really?? You find Rochester dressing as a woman transgressive, but you have nothing to say about As You Like It’s love…square? Squiggle? Where a woman falls for man (disguised woman)? Where the disguised woman literally takes on the name Ganymede and proposes a relationship between her and the man she loves? ???? That heteronormative Shakespeare?
Also on the topic of Marlowe, I find it strains my credulity that Bron can be so enraptured with classic literature yet be oblivious to who he is. No mention of that would have come up in any of the works he read?
-I find it gross how Bron was overall in terms of intrusiveness. He kept a locket that wasn't his because of a mystery behind it, he stole Darcy's boxers to smell and masturbate to (dude....), he wants to use Ada's escaped bird as pretext to sneak into Darcy's room and rummage through his things even after Darcy labelled it his domain, then he eventually does do just that but with no excuse--he simply demands to know the truth to secrets that do not involve him in the least. He continuously picks and pries at Darcy and Giovanni's past with each other, asking them multiple times to elaborate. Would he like Darcy doing the same with Harry? And then he turned it around and deflected and hid behind an issue of class in one instance when Darcy explodes with anger, as though Darcy's frustration was from a class rift and not, say, Bron being nosey over stuff that doesn't concern him. Even after Darcy's father has just died, Bron can't help asking about their status re: a relationship and getting upset that Darcy has other, more pressing concerns.
Bron just comes off as incredibly judgmental and kind of hypocritical. He wants to not be immediately filed away as this or that but decides at once that Darcy can't have struggled and doesn't struggle even now because of his position in society and also is dismissive when Darcy mentions he is queer himself simply because he doesn't fit the outward stereotypes. I wish he'd been a softer protagonist. He learns a few lessons, but they are in the very last pages, so it's hard to take them to heart as a reader.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like this book, because I think it's important to see more queer stories produced by queer people, and I rejoice when they are made available. The only problem is...I didn't like it. The writing is very jarring; people speak in flowery prose, but it's set in the modern times. And the book repeatedly hammers home the need for gender nonconforming people and queer people to exist freely and without violence. Just over and over again. I didn't feel any chemistry between Bron and Darcy; it was as though I should root for them merely because it's what the novel required, and it seemed really abrupt when it came about.
I'm posting these bits here in depth on Goodreads to mull over, but:
-An example of how it circled back to identity constantly was when Darcy complimented Bron about sticking it out because Ada was prone to chasing her tutors away, and Bron replies with a detour into a mention about how TERFs won't let trans people piss in peace. It felt as though these issues weren't necessarily brought up organically and were, instead, a running line through Bron's thoughts and he'd blurt them out in conversation where it didn't really fit.
-Partly because of the wariness cultivated from his gender identity and sexual orientation, Bron immediately recognises people as enemies, or expects the very worst from any sort of interaction. Darcy is not to be trusted; he's obviously mocking Bron behind his back. Ada asks to read Jane Eyre and he snaps at her because Harry (his friend from school) hadn't liked it. Time and again people are kind to Bron, and Bron responds sharply and rudely.
-An educator at a university makes the comment that Marlowe may not be as famous as Shakespeare because Shakespeare produced heteronormative works. Really? Shakespeare? His sonnets? As You Like It? Really?? You find Rochester dressing as a woman transgressive, but you have nothing to say about As You Like It’s love…square? Squiggle? Where a woman falls for man (disguised woman)? Where the disguised woman literally takes on the name Ganymede and proposes a relationship between her and the man she loves? ???? That heteronormative Shakespeare?
Also on the topic of Marlowe, I find it strains my credulity that Bron can be so enraptured with classic literature yet be oblivious to who he is. No mention of that would have come up in any of the works he read?
-I find it gross how Bron was overall in terms of intrusiveness. He kept a locket that wasn't his because of a mystery behind it, he stole Darcy's boxers to smell and masturbate to (dude....), he wants to use Ada's escaped bird as pretext to sneak into Darcy's room and rummage through his things even after Darcy labelled it his domain, then he eventually does do just that but with no excuse--he simply demands to know the truth to secrets that do not involve him in the least. He continuously picks and pries at Darcy and Giovanni's past with each other, asking them multiple times to elaborate. Would he like Darcy doing the same with Harry? And then he turned it around and deflected and hid behind an issue of class in one instance when Darcy explodes with anger, as though Darcy's frustration was from a class rift and not, say, Bron being nosey over stuff that doesn't concern him. Even after Darcy's father has just died, Bron can't help asking about their status re: a relationship and getting upset that Darcy has other, more pressing concerns.
Bron just comes off as incredibly judgmental and kind of hypocritical. He wants to not be immediately filed away as this or that but decides at once that Darcy can't have struggled and doesn't struggle even now because of his position in society and also is dismissive when Darcy mentions he is queer himself simply because he doesn't fit the outward stereotypes. I wish he'd been a softer protagonist. He learns a few lessons, but they are in the very last pages, so it's hard to take them to heart as a reader.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
surprisingly nice and quick read. it took some time to get into, but from the third chapter onwards i really started enjoying it. the book manages to combine the romantic vibes from classics with more contemporary discussions of gender and class differences, which was refreshing. the only thing that kind of disappointed me was the very odd pacing at the end. thanks to netgalley for the arc.
July 27, 2023
Man, did I love this book. It’s got the right amount of brooding, that classic dark-academia adjacent setting, mysteries and parties and people too afraid to say things to each other. In short, it’s all the stuff that I LOVE in a book, so it’s no wonder that I enjoyed it.
I got sent an incredibly early copy — so early that it was basically a printed out word document I’d flick through imaging I was Miranda Priestley surveying the next edition. And I was portioning it out as rewards for getting a bit more work done, a few more socials posts scheduled. I couldn’t bear for it to end. It is absolutely wonderful.
Orphaned young and raised with chilly indifference at an all-boys boarding school, Bronte Ellis has grown up stifled by rigid rules and social "norms", forbidden from expressing his genuine gender identity. His beloved novels lend an escape, until a position as a live-in tutor provides him with a chance to leave St. Mary's behind. Greenwood Manor is the kind of elegant country house Bron has only read about, and amid lavish parties and cricket matches the Edwards family welcomes him into the household with true warmth. Mr Edwards and the young Ada, his pupil, accept without question that Bron's gender presentation is not traditionally masculine. Only Darcy, the eldest son, seems uncomfortable with Bron - the two of them couldn't be more opposite.
When a tragic fire blazes through the estate's idyllic peace, Bron begins to sense dark secrets smouldering beneath Greenwood Manor's surface. Channelling the heroines of Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen and other period classics, he begins to sift through the wreckage. Soon, he's not sure what to believe, especially with his increasing attraction to Darcy clouding his vision.
The Manor House Governess continues a trend of queer anachronism, as in queer novels that disrupt and displace setting and time — in thinking of Plain Bad Heroines and Lex Croucher’s novels in particular, the modern and the historical together. It’s very beautifully written — lush prose without ever feeling purple or overwritten. There’s such a classically lovely style to Castle’s writing and every time I pick it up I feel swept away.
At the same time, Castle does not shy away from the oppressions inherent in being visibly genderfluid, or transphobia in its many forms, from the obvious to the pressure to conform. Together with Castle’s prose and storytelling prowess, this makes for a very special novel.
I got sent an incredibly early copy — so early that it was basically a printed out word document I’d flick through imaging I was Miranda Priestley surveying the next edition. And I was portioning it out as rewards for getting a bit more work done, a few more socials posts scheduled. I couldn’t bear for it to end. It is absolutely wonderful.
Orphaned young and raised with chilly indifference at an all-boys boarding school, Bronte Ellis has grown up stifled by rigid rules and social "norms", forbidden from expressing his genuine gender identity. His beloved novels lend an escape, until a position as a live-in tutor provides him with a chance to leave St. Mary's behind. Greenwood Manor is the kind of elegant country house Bron has only read about, and amid lavish parties and cricket matches the Edwards family welcomes him into the household with true warmth. Mr Edwards and the young Ada, his pupil, accept without question that Bron's gender presentation is not traditionally masculine. Only Darcy, the eldest son, seems uncomfortable with Bron - the two of them couldn't be more opposite.
When a tragic fire blazes through the estate's idyllic peace, Bron begins to sense dark secrets smouldering beneath Greenwood Manor's surface. Channelling the heroines of Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen and other period classics, he begins to sift through the wreckage. Soon, he's not sure what to believe, especially with his increasing attraction to Darcy clouding his vision.
The Manor House Governess continues a trend of queer anachronism, as in queer novels that disrupt and displace setting and time — in thinking of Plain Bad Heroines and Lex Croucher’s novels in particular, the modern and the historical together. It’s very beautifully written — lush prose without ever feeling purple or overwritten. There’s such a classically lovely style to Castle’s writing and every time I pick it up I feel swept away.
At the same time, Castle does not shy away from the oppressions inherent in being visibly genderfluid, or transphobia in its many forms, from the obvious to the pressure to conform. Together with Castle’s prose and storytelling prowess, this makes for a very special novel.
dnf
June 11, 2023"I do not find myself in the way of dancing enough to warrant a disliking to it. But what I can admit to is the unlikelihood of dancing again anytime soon, or ever again for that matter."
This is a contemporary novel. I am expected to believe that a modern person talks like this. I have some doubts. But...I might have been able to stomach that, but not everyone sounds like they fell out of an Austen novel. Some also recite Introduction to Queerness leaflets (Shouldn't everyone be able to wear whatever they want, no matter if it matches their perceived gender or not? - Yes, it is true, everyone should wear whatever they want). I mean, I agree, but just because I agree doesn't mean that I don't recognize when the author is standing on the most blatant soapbox. Oh, and sometimes the characters talk like a lecturer in a film studies 101 class. Because the author has an MA in films studies and wants you to know that.
That all makes a very dull reading experience. I didn't feel like I was reading about characters, just mouthpieces telling me what the author wants me to know. And the book really lost me when Darcy tells Bron (the MC) that he's gay, and Bron's reaction is utter disbelief because Darcy wears suits and isn't flamboyant at all. And it really is framed that way. I could have accepted some version of "Darcy has it easier than me, a non-binary person who is perceived masculine and likes feminine clothes, and we have nothing in common" (I would not have agreed with that statement, but would have understood that Bron feels that way). But that's not the argument. Bron really just goes "nah, he can't be gay while wearing a suit"
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
July 11, 2023
1.5
there are several reasons i didn’t enjoy this, chiefly the corny and self-contradictory treatment of queerness & non-binary expression (going on about how one can dress as they like & then having the same character make assumptions on sexuality based on clothing).
the tone of the novel is incredibly off as well. the experience of reading a book that is written in the style of victorian novels yet occasionally drops into stylistic choices that are very much 21st-century is absolutely jarring & threw me off completely. the feeling of reading is honestly comparable to the netflix adaptation of persuasion - so much potential, such poor delivery.
there are several reasons i didn’t enjoy this, chiefly the corny and self-contradictory treatment of queerness & non-binary expression (going on about how one can dress as they like & then having the same character make assumptions on sexuality based on clothing).
the tone of the novel is incredibly off as well. the experience of reading a book that is written in the style of victorian novels yet occasionally drops into stylistic choices that are very much 21st-century is absolutely jarring & threw me off completely. the feeling of reading is honestly comparable to the netflix adaptation of persuasion - so much potential, such poor delivery.
April 27, 2023
This book is what would happen if Northanger Abbey and Jane Eyre had a queer child together. Not quite what I expected, but I really enjoyed it!
October 12, 2023
✨ 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✨
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Manor House Governess
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): C. A. Castle
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5
“𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘈 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
🤍 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆
🌸 𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
🤍 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿
🌸 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
This wasn’t quite what I expected, but it was still enjoyable. I think my main takeaway from this book is that it contains a lot of conversations centered around queerness and because of that, it feels like almost like a coming-of-age novel and a safe—maybe even empowering—space for queer readers.
This is a gothic contemporary novel that acts as an ode to classical literature, particularly the Brontë’s. Although it’s set in the modern world, the dialogue and introspection transports the reader to the past where conversation is more earnest and fanciful. I found that this could be quite jarring at times, however, I found the writing simultaneously transported me and tugged on my heartstrings.
My favourite element about this novel is the smart explorations of gender fluidity, gender norms, and queer acceptance. I enjoyed the arguments put across that argue the right to the existence of queer people and found the writing outspoken, resonating, and thought-provoking. I also enjoyed the authors organic flair in their penmanship; there’s a spark of wit to be found often, and I wish it was more consistently present throughout the novel to offset many of the heavy conversations that occur.
There were a few detriments to my enjoyment of this book. My main fault is that the story felt like it didn’t go anywhere, no tangible character progression or subplot resolutions that had any bearing on the storylines that readers had been fed. I didn’t like the plot twists, I felt they were incongruent to the overall message of this book. And whilst I typically like slightly morally grey characters, I could not stand Darcy, he was not a worthy romantic interest in the slightest and I felt that as the main character, Brontë, was channeling many fictional heroines such as Jane Austen and Elizabeth Bennett, the romantic interest needed to be worthy of the powerful passion that I felt the author wanted to ignite in this book.
—Kayleigh🤍
♡ 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
♡ 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Manor House Governess
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): C. A. Castle
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5
“𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘈 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴. 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦.”
🤍 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧 𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆
🌸 𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲
🤍 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿
🌸 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
This wasn’t quite what I expected, but it was still enjoyable. I think my main takeaway from this book is that it contains a lot of conversations centered around queerness and because of that, it feels like almost like a coming-of-age novel and a safe—maybe even empowering—space for queer readers.
This is a gothic contemporary novel that acts as an ode to classical literature, particularly the Brontë’s. Although it’s set in the modern world, the dialogue and introspection transports the reader to the past where conversation is more earnest and fanciful. I found that this could be quite jarring at times, however, I found the writing simultaneously transported me and tugged on my heartstrings.
My favourite element about this novel is the smart explorations of gender fluidity, gender norms, and queer acceptance. I enjoyed the arguments put across that argue the right to the existence of queer people and found the writing outspoken, resonating, and thought-provoking. I also enjoyed the authors organic flair in their penmanship; there’s a spark of wit to be found often, and I wish it was more consistently present throughout the novel to offset many of the heavy conversations that occur.
There were a few detriments to my enjoyment of this book. My main fault is that the story felt like it didn’t go anywhere, no tangible character progression or subplot resolutions that had any bearing on the storylines that readers had been fed. I didn’t like the plot twists, I felt they were incongruent to the overall message of this book. And whilst I typically like slightly morally grey characters, I could not stand Darcy, he was not a worthy romantic interest in the slightest and I felt that as the main character, Brontë, was channeling many fictional heroines such as Jane Austen and Elizabeth Bennett, the romantic interest needed to be worthy of the powerful passion that I felt the author wanted to ignite in this book.
—Kayleigh🤍
♡ 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦
♡ 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
November 6, 2023
I enjoyed The Manor House Governess and thought it was a unique read!
It's a slow-paced book that pays homage to classic british literature, and it had both mystery and romance with gothic vibes.
I was also a big fan of the writing style as it was beautiful and lyrical!
The book is set in the modern day and starts with our main character Brontë moving to a manor near Cambridge to tutor a little girl named Ada.
I loved the Cambridge setting and thought the author really made it come to life!
I really liked the Brontë and thought they were a great character.
I also really liked the other characters, though out of them all. I think my favourite was probably Ada.
I definitely recommend you check this book out, especially if you are a fan of classics like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or period dramas.
It's a slow-paced book that pays homage to classic british literature, and it had both mystery and romance with gothic vibes.
I was also a big fan of the writing style as it was beautiful and lyrical!
The book is set in the modern day and starts with our main character Brontë moving to a manor near Cambridge to tutor a little girl named Ada.
I loved the Cambridge setting and thought the author really made it come to life!
I really liked the Brontë and thought they were a great character.
I also really liked the other characters, though out of them all. I think my favourite was probably Ada.
I definitely recommend you check this book out, especially if you are a fan of classics like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or period dramas.
August 20, 2024
“In the in-between space of novels he found solace, his own boarding school life reflected in one particular work. He’d followed their trajectories with a prophetic eagerness, the works of great writers a crystal ball through which his own future was revealed, with its big country houses and the always brooding men. England and its green.”
Bridgerton WHO?? (well, bar one very frustrating caveat 🫠) Castle has recreated the vibes of Jane Eyre & the angst of Pride & Prejudice in the modern world with a genderfluid femme-presenting gay man as the absolutely precious, lovable, devastatingly relatable MC who combines the traits of both Jane Eyre & Lizzie Bennett (with a little Virginia Woolf thrown in for good measure) in *the* most satisfying way.
Click here to read my full review of THE MANOR HOUSE GOVERNESS complete with my full thoughts, (a *ton* of) further reading suggestions, & more of my favorite quotes!
★ ★ ★ ★ .75
(but actually it’s ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ & that’s just a very petty, personal -.25 ★ from me so 🤣)
CW // some painful moments of homo-&trans-phobia, bullying, animal death (not the dog), death of a parent (cancer)
October 1, 2023
I read this as an eARC thanks to Netgalley
Anyone who loves the classics such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice is going to adore this story. I absolutely loved this modern day setting mixed with the grandeur of classic literature.
There’s romance and mystery but truthfully it is a coming of age story that focuses on finding yourself when the world is telling you how you should act and behave.
Totally recommend this for young people who are struggling with figuring out who they are meant to be.
LGBTQIA+ rep
Anyone who loves the classics such as Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice is going to adore this story. I absolutely loved this modern day setting mixed with the grandeur of classic literature.
There’s romance and mystery but truthfully it is a coming of age story that focuses on finding yourself when the world is telling you how you should act and behave.
Totally recommend this for young people who are struggling with figuring out who they are meant to be.
LGBTQIA+ rep
2023
June 6, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press
Read
December 28, 2023A genre-fluid book with a gender fluid MC. Sounds cool right? Not so much.
I genuinely just can't get over the fact that for 75% of this book it reads like a historical fiction mystery romance thing but then sporadically you get shoved back into reality that this takes place in the 21st century. This happens mostly though modern-day queer terminology and emails and texting and social media.
I think this would have been 100% more successful if it had committed to the bit and been a historical book. It could still be genre fluid with having mystery elements and romance elements and coming of age elements but you cannot convince me that 20 somethings in modern day are talking like it's the freaking 1800s in a classic novel. I just didn't buy it and it was jarring almost when you were reminded that it was actually the 21st century.
I think one of my other issues with this book is that all of the discussions about queerness and even transness are so intensely surface level. For a gender fluid main character who predominantly dresses fairly feminine and identifies as gay to not even consider the fact that most of the transphobia that he gets is based in misogyny was wild to me. He sat there and had all these conversations about how people don't like gay people but to totally disregard the level of misogyny that people have and that's what contributes to their homophobia was really off base for me. I also kind of hated that everyone was just gay. There is one tertiary character who makes an appearance at the very itty bitty end and identifies as bi but all the other queer characters are gay. There's not really any queer diversity here.
Then there should be a conversation about the fact that there is a black trans woman who is a another tertiary character who is almost a symbol in this book about our main characters growth and healing powers. He basically meets this woman on a train and she talks about how her son was like him and very effeminate and how she hasn't talked to him anymore because he is a woman. So instead of correcting this woman's on her daughter's pronouns or trying to have any sort of conversation with her he lets a 9-year-old girl call this woman out and then eventually finds this woman's daughter at the end of the book and reunites them in some weird show of solidarity. It was a relationship that was not necessary and felt a little bit icky to monopolize on.
Then there's the romance. The romance was not a romance. I'm gonna be real honest. Darcy is a dick The entire time and his little redeemable moment at the end was not enough for me. He's an asshole for almost the entirety of this book. He gets pissy with the main character and acts all high and mighty with the fact that he can pass as straight and the MC cannot and bitches about how the MC is making it harder for gay people. Then suddenly he flips a fucking switch and now he's attracted to the MC and then he's not and then he is and then he's not and then he is and it was this on again off again game that was exhausting.
Our MC Bron (short for Bronte) was honestly just kind of annoying. He came across somehow as both super duper naive and very worldly but in a pretentious way. I don't know I just didn't love him.
Safe to say this book was a miss for me.
I genuinely just can't get over the fact that for 75% of this book it reads like a historical fiction mystery romance thing but then sporadically you get shoved back into reality that this takes place in the 21st century. This happens mostly though modern-day queer terminology and emails and texting and social media.
I think this would have been 100% more successful if it had committed to the bit and been a historical book. It could still be genre fluid with having mystery elements and romance elements and coming of age elements but you cannot convince me that 20 somethings in modern day are talking like it's the freaking 1800s in a classic novel. I just didn't buy it and it was jarring almost when you were reminded that it was actually the 21st century.
I think one of my other issues with this book is that all of the discussions about queerness and even transness are so intensely surface level. For a gender fluid main character who predominantly dresses fairly feminine and identifies as gay to not even consider the fact that most of the transphobia that he gets is based in misogyny was wild to me. He sat there and had all these conversations about how people don't like gay people but to totally disregard the level of misogyny that people have and that's what contributes to their homophobia was really off base for me. I also kind of hated that everyone was just gay. There is one tertiary character who makes an appearance at the very itty bitty end and identifies as bi but all the other queer characters are gay. There's not really any queer diversity here.
Then there should be a conversation about the fact that there is a black trans woman who is a another tertiary character who is almost a symbol in this book about our main characters growth and healing powers. He basically meets this woman on a train and she talks about how her son was like him and very effeminate and how she hasn't talked to him anymore because he is a woman. So instead of correcting this woman's on her daughter's pronouns or trying to have any sort of conversation with her he lets a 9-year-old girl call this woman out and then eventually finds this woman's daughter at the end of the book and reunites them in some weird show of solidarity. It was a relationship that was not necessary and felt a little bit icky to monopolize on.
Then there's the romance. The romance was not a romance. I'm gonna be real honest. Darcy is a dick The entire time and his little redeemable moment at the end was not enough for me. He's an asshole for almost the entirety of this book. He gets pissy with the main character and acts all high and mighty with the fact that he can pass as straight and the MC cannot and bitches about how the MC is making it harder for gay people. Then suddenly he flips a fucking switch and now he's attracted to the MC and then he's not and then he is and then he's not and then he is and it was this on again off again game that was exhausting.
Our MC Bron (short for Bronte) was honestly just kind of annoying. He came across somehow as both super duper naive and very worldly but in a pretentious way. I don't know I just didn't love him.
Safe to say this book was a miss for me.
April 7, 2023
*Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for a free eARC
Brontë Ellis takes a job as a tutor to a young girl at Greenwood Manor. He is looking for an escape from his life at St Mary's, and this could be the adventure he needs. The Edwards family welcomes Bron and both Mr. Edwards and his pupil, Ada, accept his gender fluidity without question. When a tragic accident happens, dark secrets seep out of the woodwork of Greenwood. As Bron tries to figure out who he is actually working for, his relationship with Darcy, the son, ebbs, and flows in chaotic waves. Bron will have to channel his favorite literary heroines to untie this family's Gordian knot of lies and deception.
This is a slow, nostalgic read, which leans heavily on Jane Eyre and a little of Jane Austen's works. If you like how Jane Eyre slowly draws you into the web of characters and plot points, this is the perfect book for you.
▪︎
▪︎
I'm not joking when I said this book reminded me heavily of Jane Eyre. Bron is also an orphan, unwanted by his living relatives, and then takes a job posting being a live-in tutor. There are lies in the Manor he is at, and the love interest, Darcy, reminded me a lot of Rochester.
Bron's gender fluidity is a main plot point in this book, obviously. A lot of the conflict stemmed around Bron wanting to feel normal and accepted by society and constantly feeling like he was being looked at, scrutinized. Darcy is the opposite of Bron. He is a closeted gay man with a lot of internalized homophobia. A majority of the book is spent in conflict with Darcy as Bron tries to justify his existence to him.
The romance between Darcy and Bron was fraught from the beginning. Darcy didn't want to be attracted to Bron, didn't want to be a gay man, out to society. But regardless, their attraction to one another slowly grew throughout the book. Darcy played up to his namesake by being rude and insulting Bron when he didn't mean to. It just felt like this relationship was unrealistic. Both had some growing to do, and I don't think I could see them together.
Ada and Mr. Edwards were a delight to read about. Both were such fun characters with loving, robust personalities that enveloped Bron into their home. Ada is so smart and bright for her age. She really helped Bron relax and accept his newfound family.
Bron was living in the world through his comfort books, Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice. This often skewed his view of people and the world around him, making them out to be more dramatic/romantic than they actually were. It's definitely a head in the clouds kind of vibe. Bron put people into boxes, the ones that fit neatly in his literary mind, but broke them down throughout the course of the book.
Overall, this was enjoyable for me to read. I really enjoy Jane Eyre, so I liked how much Castle leaned on it to write this book. It was slow, and sometimes, the characters spoke like classic British literature. The switch between speaking like they were in the far past, combined with colloquial phrases, did confuse me. Also, Part 4 of the book goes through a tense shift, which I also found quite jarring. The ending, though, was so sweet. I'm glad Bron left to see the world on his own terms.
Brontë Ellis takes a job as a tutor to a young girl at Greenwood Manor. He is looking for an escape from his life at St Mary's, and this could be the adventure he needs. The Edwards family welcomes Bron and both Mr. Edwards and his pupil, Ada, accept his gender fluidity without question. When a tragic accident happens, dark secrets seep out of the woodwork of Greenwood. As Bron tries to figure out who he is actually working for, his relationship with Darcy, the son, ebbs, and flows in chaotic waves. Bron will have to channel his favorite literary heroines to untie this family's Gordian knot of lies and deception.
This is a slow, nostalgic read, which leans heavily on Jane Eyre and a little of Jane Austen's works. If you like how Jane Eyre slowly draws you into the web of characters and plot points, this is the perfect book for you.
▪︎
▪︎
I'm not joking when I said this book reminded me heavily of Jane Eyre. Bron is also an orphan, unwanted by his living relatives, and then takes a job posting being a live-in tutor. There are lies in the Manor he is at, and the love interest, Darcy, reminded me a lot of Rochester.
Bron's gender fluidity is a main plot point in this book, obviously. A lot of the conflict stemmed around Bron wanting to feel normal and accepted by society and constantly feeling like he was being looked at, scrutinized. Darcy is the opposite of Bron. He is a closeted gay man with a lot of internalized homophobia. A majority of the book is spent in conflict with Darcy as Bron tries to justify his existence to him.
The romance between Darcy and Bron was fraught from the beginning. Darcy didn't want to be attracted to Bron, didn't want to be a gay man, out to society. But regardless, their attraction to one another slowly grew throughout the book. Darcy played up to his namesake by being rude and insulting Bron when he didn't mean to. It just felt like this relationship was unrealistic. Both had some growing to do, and I don't think I could see them together.
Ada and Mr. Edwards were a delight to read about. Both were such fun characters with loving, robust personalities that enveloped Bron into their home. Ada is so smart and bright for her age. She really helped Bron relax and accept his newfound family.
Bron was living in the world through his comfort books, Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice. This often skewed his view of people and the world around him, making them out to be more dramatic/romantic than they actually were. It's definitely a head in the clouds kind of vibe. Bron put people into boxes, the ones that fit neatly in his literary mind, but broke them down throughout the course of the book.
Overall, this was enjoyable for me to read. I really enjoy Jane Eyre, so I liked how much Castle leaned on it to write this book. It was slow, and sometimes, the characters spoke like classic British literature. The switch between speaking like they were in the far past, combined with colloquial phrases, did confuse me. Also, Part 4 of the book goes through a tense shift, which I also found quite jarring. The ending, though, was so sweet. I'm glad Bron left to see the world on his own terms.
November 7, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3 stars
First and foremost in this book, I loathed Bron. The character feels unpleasant, shallow, unkind, selfish, and very much has main character energy (I know, I know, he is the main character of the book, but Bron takes it way too far). Frankly, I found him insufferable. Bron is always living in his own world, a world in which he is the poor and impoverished, long-suffering victim who can’t get into the school he wants because of his station and his class (not his grades or lack of tuition), who looks down on tourists who — like him — wander cobbled streets and take pictures of locations from their favorite films, and who loves to feel the breeze in his hair as he romps about on his very high horse.
While, for me, this book is a pass, that’s purely due to my absolute dislike as Bron as a person. I was caught enough by the book that I will be keeping an eye out for more from this author, but this book in particular for me is a pass, as I found Bron an unpleasant character to have to spend time with and the plot gives him no growth or character development. It just reinforces all of his bad traits and none of his very few good ones.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3 stars
First and foremost in this book, I loathed Bron. The character feels unpleasant, shallow, unkind, selfish, and very much has main character energy (I know, I know, he is the main character of the book, but Bron takes it way too far). Frankly, I found him insufferable. Bron is always living in his own world, a world in which he is the poor and impoverished, long-suffering victim who can’t get into the school he wants because of his station and his class (not his grades or lack of tuition), who looks down on tourists who — like him — wander cobbled streets and take pictures of locations from their favorite films, and who loves to feel the breeze in his hair as he romps about on his very high horse.
While, for me, this book is a pass, that’s purely due to my absolute dislike as Bron as a person. I was caught enough by the book that I will be keeping an eye out for more from this author, but this book in particular for me is a pass, as I found Bron an unpleasant character to have to spend time with and the plot gives him no growth or character development. It just reinforces all of his bad traits and none of his very few good ones.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
April 14, 2024
DNF @ 88 pages.
I wanted to like this book, and maybe it gets better but so far, this has been very unsatisfying. Perhaps it would be better if I was more familiar with Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice (it’s been awhile) because so far, it’s the only thing the protagonist seems to care about, talk about, dream about.
Also, I think the author does a disservice to Bron (and the reader) by only focusing on his queerness. Aside from his love of classic Brit lit, it’s the only other thing that defines him. I was not reading this book wishing he would be less of who he is, just wishing the author had given him more. Does that make sense?
Plus the writing felt clunky.
I wanted to like this book, and maybe it gets better but so far, this has been very unsatisfying. Perhaps it would be better if I was more familiar with Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice (it’s been awhile) because so far, it’s the only thing the protagonist seems to care about, talk about, dream about.
Also, I think the author does a disservice to Bron (and the reader) by only focusing on his queerness. Aside from his love of classic Brit lit, it’s the only other thing that defines him. I was not reading this book wishing he would be less of who he is, just wishing the author had given him more. Does that make sense?
Plus the writing felt clunky.
January 9, 2024
3.5, probably. I appreciated the attempt more than the result with this book? It is obviously a greatest hits of gothic/regency/Victorian lit, & Jane Eyre is all over it, but it felt like it was spinning its wheels & going through the motions for large sections. & while I really liked the narrator Bron, it was hard to know most of the other characters, or to know who they were aside from their Brontë or Austen analogues. Still, I loved the tolerance & confidence that threaded its way throughout.
February 21, 2024
romance had no chemistry, mystery was not engaging so this book failed on both fronts
also i don't really like how the only two black characters (and poc in general) were characterized..felt patronizing??idk how to put it but it's a very white book
also i don't really like how the only two black characters (and poc in general) were characterized..felt patronizing??idk how to put it but it's a very white book
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