Adèle

by Emma Tennant

An untold chapter in one of the most beloved stories of all times is magnificently recounted with lyrical beauty and brilliant luminosity—as the romantic saga of Jane Eyre unfolds anew through the eyes of one of its most unforgettable characters…Adèle.

The daughter of the celebrated Parisian actress Céline Varens, Adèle is a homesick, forlorn eight-year-old when she is first brought to Thornfield Hall by Edward Fairfax Rochester, her mother’s former lover and—though the grand estate’s brooding lord refuses to acknowledge it—quite possibly Adèle’s father. Lonely and ill at ease in the cold, unfamiliar English countryside, the sad, precocious child longs to return to the glitter of Paris…and to the arms of the mother who has been lost to her. But a small ray of sunshine brightens her eternal gloom when a stranger arrives to school and care for her: a mousy and serious yet intensely loving young governess named Jane Eyre.

As the years pass, Adèle watches with wonder as an unexpected romance blossoms between her governess and her guardian—even as her curiosity leads her deeper into the shadowy manor, toward the dark and terrible secret that is locked away in a high garret. And on Jane and Rochester’s planned wedding day, it is Adèle who is instrumental in bringing about the fiery catastrophe that shatters her “family” and sends her fleeing, frightened and alone, back to France.

But Paris is no longer the glamorous ideal she remembers. Intent on finding her mother, Adèle is soon lost in a world of sham sparkle and ruthless exploiters. Yet her will remains strong as she grows and learns, determined to follow her solitary odyssey to its inevitable conclusion, as she—like Jane Eyre and the tormented Edward Rochester—searches for salvation and love amid the ruins of misfortune.

A novel of wondrous imagination and vivid intensity, Emma Tennant’s Adèle brilliantly captures the nuances and spirit of the cherished classic that inspired it, while being a bold and original literary work that stands firmly and gloriously on its own.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Retellings, British Literature, Victorian, Classics

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 26, 2002

About the author

Since the early 1970s, when she was in her mid-thirties, Emma Tennant has been a prolific novelist and has established herself as one of the leading British exponents of "new fiction." This does not mean that she is an imitator of either the French nouveaux romanciers or the American post-modernists, although her work reveals an indebtedness to the methods and preoccupations of some of the latter. Like them, she employs parody and rewriting, is interested in the fictiveness of fiction, appropriates some science-fiction conventions, and exploits the possibilities of generic dislocation and mutation, especially the blending of realism and fantasy. Yet, although parallels can be cited and influences suggested, her work is strongly individual, the product of an intensely personal, even idiosyncratic, attempt to create an original type of highly imaginative fiction.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Admirable idea that unfortunately fell extremely short of the goal.  
The original Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte is one of my favorite classic books of all times. My 5th grade English teacher, who was herself British read us from the pages of Jane Eyre every day during recess one spring. While other students ran and screamed and played, we sat under a big tree on scraps of carpet and listed quietly and dreamily to our teacher lilt on page after page of Janes journey. We fell in love with the gruff Mr. Rochester and I fell in love with classic British books. Jane Eyre holds a special place within my heart and that is why an adaptation is both exciting and daunting. 
Novels of this type based upon the classical literature that we already know and love can go either way. It could be great, creative and accentuating. Or it could be a gross misrepresentation and almost blasphemous to the original text. Although I wanted to love this so desperately, sadly it had a bit too much of latter to have been a success. Charlotte Bronte, these are large slippers to try to slide ones feet into and sadly this was a disappointment. Again, I admire the premise. It sounds great the thought of filling in the blanks with Adele's story but the delivery did not mesh. I at first thought it was just that a lot of author creative liberties were taken. This could be understood the idea is to be "based" on the original and not to clone it. However, there were too many contradictions against the original and this made the story just seem not probable. I think to take the facts and again fill in and around what we already know and creatively accentuate is what makes these types of novels fun. But this was unbelievable and also quite repetitive. I am very annoyed with books that feel the need to constantly recounts facts that have already been made clear again and again. Don't assume you're writing for Alzheimer's patients. (No disrespect but thankfully not there yet! Lol) I feel like I want to say, "Yes I heard you the first time." And this behavior in writing makes me want to skim but I couldn't for fear that I would miss something, which did happen slightly at the end. I don't like that. Don't drag me through repetition and dulldrums and then decide to get interesting in the last chapter. All of the original character personalities were thrown out and changed. Which again could have worked but what they were morphed into was just not appealing. This was supposedly Adele's story but other characters took a chapter as well, rambling on repetitively about facts we'd already been given. From the original we understand Adele is from France. Too much time spent on who Adele's mother was. In this book way too much time is spent in France and to me it was just one of the take aways in this book. The writing style....Sigh. I won't ramble on myself. I'll summarize by saying it was a let down. 
Two stars. I wanted to like it but it just fell so short. I will recommend it to those who like these types if novels based on classics, if for nothing else but perspective. I don't know if I'd read anything else by this author? Maybe something written after this book. Maybe an editor might help with rounding ideas up, repetition, focus and plausibility. Hey.. None of our talents are beyond growth. 
Next book.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Um.....okay.....three letters: W-T-F? Is Emma Tennant kidding me with this? As a true and passionate fan of both Charlotte Bronte and Jane Eyre I am disappointed and offended by this so-called sequel to one of the greatest gothic romances of all time. I can guaran-damn-tee you that Charlotte Bronte rolled over in her grave the day that this poor excuse for a literary offering hit the shelves. It is an *insult* to the legacy that the Bronte genius left behind. How *dare* Emma Tennant take this story and throttle it around to suite her own sick imagination. Who told her that it was all right to distort a long-loved story into a tale of sociopathy and circus-performers? Why did she think that was a good idea? I'm sorry if this offends anybody, but I don't like it: I can't like it: I refuse to even acknowledge it.

[Clare · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thornfield Hall is like a weird fever dream; the sentences are syntactically correct, the words are in English, but sense cannot be dragged out of them. Adele is either a gorgeous, perfect nymphet or hateful, the writing style is like trying to watch a movie through a filthy window, and the pace makes it feel like a novel-length outline rather than a novel. Avoid.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

A short book, but I'll still never get the time I dedicated to reading this fan girl crap back. I made myself finish it, just so I could have the satisfaction of telling everyone how bad it was, completely guilt free. Emma Tennant should have all her pens, pencils, paper, printers, and laptops taken away.

[Katharine]

Why do I torture myself? Why do I insist on reading prequels, sequels, and retelling of my favorite novels?

I guess for the same reason we all loved playing with scissors and matches when we were children.

Anyway, please spare yourself and DON'T READ THIS. ESPECIALLY if you haven't read the real "Jane Eyre" yet because it will give you terrible ideas.

Not to mention I'd like to do terrible things to the author for the way she portrayed my Mr Rochester! MAY THIS BOOK ROT.

[Jodi Heiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I used the 100 page rule but think I will start using the 60 page rule. If a book isn't good by page 60 you shouldn't waste your time reading it. Needless to say I disn't finish it.

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am at a loss to really explain the value of this book. First of all, the author has imagined a plot which could have been a different story completely free of the sequel-like claim to Jane Eyre. Why didn't she just come up with different names of characters and places, and, then, I would have liked the book for its own self. Instead, there are egregious errors to characterizations and events, some of which she has incorrectly cast without consideration of proper time-placement. At first, I could accept these as license, but, eventually, I tired of them as one thing after another happened which was impossible to the true novel, Jane Eyre. There were so many inconsistences, for example, to the character Adele Varens (and others, too) which never, ever could have happened in the real world of Charlotte Bronte's novel. I read it for a different purpose than others would have, so I'm not sure if many would stick it out to the end as I did.

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't say I would recommend this one. There are two many points of view. If the story had been told just from Adele's perspective, it might have been a stronger novel. Rochester's part of the story and then Mrs. Fairfax's are just intrusive. When Adele is telling her story, it isn't easy to follow; it's confusing as to what takes place when, since she starts out telling of one event but then backs up to tell of something that took place before it. The story jumps around too much in place, time and voice. And the ending is just not true to the character's portrayal in the original novel, so that was disappointing as well.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a 'Jane Eyre' nut, I loved the idea of putting Adele, Rochester's young French ward, at the centre of a novel. The opening, in Paris, is wonderful, but I felt the rest of the book doesn't always live up to it - to me, the passages which are completely made up by Tennant usually seem to be better than those which are reworkings of material from 'Jane Eyre'.
I think it's a pity the book has now been reissued under the innocuous title 'Thornfield Hall' - 'French Dancer's Bastard' is actually a quote from Bronte's novel, and it's such a striking title.

[Mary Hillier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written, interesting furtherance of Bronte's "Jane Eyre". Before I read Emma Tennant take on what might have happened after the final scene's describing Rochester's miraculous recovery and the birth of a son, I read some reader reviews that thought Rochester was portrayed too much the villain. In my opinion, Bronte's Rochester was indeed a villain, a murderer, abuser of his wife and willing to commit bigamy for financial gain. It takes not only Jane's love but mutilation to make Rochester swoon-worthy. Tennant is very faithful to Bronte's Edward. The plot twists she adds make sense to me, what child left to their own devices in a huge house would not explore and find out what mystery was happening in the attic? Adele's obsession with Celine is also in line with the other characters Bronte has work out obsession in one manner or another. The Mrs. Fairfax twist at the end echoed the ending of "Rebecca" I thought, and given the author has written about that work makes me think that is not a far-fetched thought. To sum up, if you are a Bronte purist, this work is not for you. However, if you enjoy seeing what a good writer who knows the genre can do with a classic that you have enjoyed, by all means read this book.

[Kari · Rating 1 out of 5]

UGG! Not only was it a chore to get through this book but it is very obvious that the author has seen the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Rebecca" a few too many times. Don't expect anything in this book to resemble the classic "Jane Eyre".

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is Jane Eyre retold as Adele's story. It does use the POV of other characters such as Rochester to help move the narrative along. I wasn't overly fond of this and didn't find it corresponded with the original novel in some parts.

[Tory · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book because I LOVE all things Jane Eyre. However, this book ended up being a disappointment. There were a few too many plot holes and unbelievable situations...enough to make Charlotte Bronte (and me) cringe at every twist and turn.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually love British classics so thought this book would be good.It was slow and only fair and really kind of boring.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abort book! Abort book!

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jane Eyre's hidden story, this is not, as most of the events in this book are pretty ludicrous and unrealistic and it's highly unlikely this is what happened behind the scenes. Adele says it rightly at one point in the novel when she remarks that Jane is the one who sees things clearly. The novel is not totally from Adele's point of view, though, often a chapter is devoted to Grace, Mr. Rochester's, or Mrs. Fairfax's thoughts, and it was difficult to decide what was really happening with the characters with so many different viewpoints. Mrs. Fairfax for example thinks Mr. Rochester is really in love with Blanche and wanted to marry her instead of Jane, Adele thinks Mr. Rochester still loves Celine and would want her to come back, Mr. Rochester doesn't help by seeming to think about Celine often before and somewhat after he meets Jane. Grace is just in it for herself and is probably the most honest character in this story.

This story just felt confusing and all over the place, and although at first I thought it was an interesting idea to tell the story from Adele's viewpoint, reading this story I realized she was really too young and couldn't have known much about what was happening. And her thoughts do not lend any cohesiveness to the story because she vacillates in her feelings so much. The author did have some interesting ideas and changes to the story of what went on behind Jane's back, and I did like how Adele grows as a character and realizes what a positive influence Jane has been on her life. The tone of the characters was also pretty well done - I didn't have too much of a problem with how the author painted them. The ending however kind of ruined the half-regard I was having for this story though. There was a pretty over the top twist that was truly unbelievable and ridiculous and disappointing since the story seemed headed towards a nice conclusion until it made a complete u-turn for crazy town. This is such an uneven story, that I can only think that die-hard Jane Eyre fans that need to read everything related to the original novel (like myself) would find any reason to read it.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you've never read Jane Eyre, this book will make no sense at all; rather like wandering into the wrong class at university and having to stay for the lecture. If you have read Jane Eyre and liked it, this...thing...is just wierd. Contemporary authors who take it upon themselves to write follow-ons, alternate focus versions or "prequels" to established classics a) usually aren't up to the job and b) do the originals a great disservice. Why not create your own characters and story, instead of riding on Miss Bronte's (or whoever's) dresstail? If you must write this sort of fanfic, you might want to treat the original ideas with a modicum of respect!! but they never do.

I suppose if you were forced to read Jane Eyre in highschool and hated it, you might treat this as an ironic spoof, along the lines of Pride and Prejudice and Vampires. Unfortunately, it isn't meant to be a satire. It was meant to be...glurge..."serious" writing. Celine Varens has a "sapphic" (Tennant's word) best friend, Rochester is ugly but hung like a horse, and Adele hates Jane. And on and on. If that weren't bad enough, the POV switches are enough to make you feel sick.

This screed reminded me of the 1995 movie based oh so loosely on Mansfield Park--by a director and screenwriter who freely and openly admitted that she had never read the book.
The sad part is that writers (well, I say "writers") like this have readers who just lurve their stuff. Whose houses are stuffed with "porcelain" figures from QVC, for all I know. Well, I guess there's a place for faux porcelain "limited edition" figures, but they'll never be worth a cent. The manufacturers know this, and know it will escape the punters who buy them.

[MJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't finish this book. I am a huge fan of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, it is one of my favorite novels. I found this book randomly while searching for a Victorian novel and was interested in the fact that I would be reading about what happened at Thornfield from Adele's point of view. I was a little skeptical since Adele really isn't a central character in Jane Eyre, more of a symbol of Rochester's reformation.
The beginning of the novel was intriguing, reading about Celine and Adele's life in Paris and of course reading the point of view of Rochester (even though I didn't like the voice the character had in this novel-it didn't quite feel the same). But then it is revealed that Adele knows about Bertha....what? The eight year old girl befriends the insane woman on the third floor. Also in this version of Jane Eyre, Adele didn't like Jane. I didn't understand that part. It did not fit in with Jane Eyre and didn't follow the original plot. To me it was so strikingly different. Once this was revealed I just lost interest and I really wrap my head around this fact. I couldn't even tell you how it ended.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea behind this book but found the chapters narrated by Adele disjointed and difficult to engage with. The writing style was dreamlike and went some way to convey a whimsical, magical circus life but failed to enable the reader to get to know and understand Adele.She remained the slight, bit part character of the original Bronte novel and didn't seem to me to be developed any further. The writing was convuluted and strangely obscure but lacked any depth. I am reading a Ishiguro novel now and am amazed by how much he manages to convey in very simple language. This book did the opposite, conveying little in an excess of adjectives - apart from the last couple of chapters into which an inordinate number of preposterous plot twists and were crammed. On the plus side I was left thinking about the book after I read it so I think it did have an atmosphere and some interesting ideas that could, with a decent editor, have perhaps been developed into something more satisfying to read.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adele is the retelling of Jane Eyre from the viewpoint of Mr. Rochester's ward, Adele. This is NOT written in the same tone as the original. In fact, for awhile I was really, really confused--and by awhile, I mean until about the last 10 pages of the book. Adele's viewpoint tends to be very dream-like and ... well, delusional. It does not line up well with the general tenor of the original, and makes Edward Rochester into an unchangeable tyrant and takes away Jane Eyre's great strength and goodness ... which are the best parts of the original novel. While Tennant really asks you to think about the fatal accident at the end of Jane Eyre, to consider what really might have happened, her ultimate resolution comes like a splash of cold, unbelievable water in the face. While it resolved Adele's ramblings in this book, it was also a stretch of believability. Interesting read, but I have no intention to revisit or recommend.

[Wiccy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is only the 2nd book I have ever started multiple times and not finished. It was just that bad.

Disjointed, overwrought, forced. These are the first three words I would use to describe this book. While I understand that the author was trying to match the feel of the language used in Jane Eyre she clearly didn't have a good enough grasp of it to make the attempt. It feels stilted, forced and awkward and, quite frankly the writing just isn't good. The characterizations of nearly all the characters are over-harsh and wrong and even some of the events don't match up to the source material. There are a lot of good re-tellings and sequels for classics out there. This just is not one of them.

[Cen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was dreadful! The way it warped the plot of the original Jane Eyre was disturbing and not handled well at all.
Writing was alright I suppose... the way it jumped point of view made it rather incoherent though. Perhaps if the story had stuck to Adele and her point of view, it might have been salvageable, but the way it goes back and forth between several characters... not worth the effort of trying to unravel the plot, which gets quite murky before the conclusion I might add. Plot twist at the end was a bit pathetic. Left with a bad taste in my mouth and a yearning to go back and read the original Jane Eyre, without this 'hidden story' nonsense.

[Bre Clouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story line. I feel books written like this are always a kind of spin off. Using the original characters and most of their given traits, it made a great story. I think the main reason this book gets so many poor ratings is people are looking for a happier take a more fairytale story. But the nitty gritty examples and events in this book makes it enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it for my friends to read.

[Joanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

good name...

...terrible book.

This was a disjointed, ineffective and confusing story; it did absolutely nothing for me. Firstly, it was not at all well-coordinated with the events and characterizations in Jane Eyre, and it wasn't strong enough to stand as a story on its own merits. Secondly, I cared nothing for Adele or what happened to her. I really just wanted the book to end.

[Jeannette · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read some really horrible reviews on this book. At times the language was poetic, and the plot mildly entertaining, but by the end I wanted to shake Tennant for her desecration of a classic book. The characters Bronte created were destroyed. Parts of the book made no sense, and plot twists were ridiculous. I would NOT recommend this book for people who enjoyed Jane Eyre.

[Mirah W · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was so bad I couldn't even finish...and I hate not finishing a book. I got through half of the book and I wish I would have stopped sooner. It changed the actual timeline and story of 'Jane Eyre', one of my favorite novels. It really is a travesty...save yourself the heartache and frustration and don't bother reading this.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book. I enjoyed Adele's story in Paris, but the weaving of her story at Thornfield was awkward and did not mesh well with the original story. I enjoy reading new takes on well known stories, but the key to a successful retelling is remaining faithful to the original story in addition to bringing a fresh look to it.

[Pamela Roberts · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read Adele, Jane Eyre's Hidden Story by Emma Tennant but the plot sounds like Thornfield Hall. I can't believe how bad this book is, but I kept reading to see what happened. Book is told from the perspectives of Mrs. Fairfax, Edward, Jane, and Celine, which is confusing. I wish I could give it a half star rating.

[Ronnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first publication of this book (2002), the title is: "Adéle: Jane Eyre's Hidden Story." It is about Adéle and her life including her time at Thornfield Hall. What? Cannot we understand the name Adéle? Why rename the book? Published by: William Morrow An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

[Carolynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Adele, Mr. Rochester's ward--perhaps his daughter and the "real" cause of the death of Bertha Mason, Mr. Rochester's first wife. Mrs. Fairfax is the villainess in this backstory of the famed romance.