Sunday, January 16, 2011

Jane by April Lindner


Genre: Realistic fiction, YA fiction?, Retelling
Published: Oct. 2010, 384 pp.
Source: Library
Review: 4/5
I enjoyed this modern retelling of Jane Eyre. I thought that Jane Eyre would be too unrealistic set in modern day because times have changed so much but I think that April Lindner figured out a way to make it work. With a "Mr. Rochester" character who is a legendary rock star and the "Jane" character as a reserved and sheltered nanny, the classic story plays out pretty well.
This book was shelved in the Young Adult section, which makes sense, but it always bothers me when a YA book includes as much bad language and sex as this one did. While I enjoyed this book, I would have a hard time recommending it to many people. There are about a dozen f-words and a couple of sex scenes that weren't overly explicit but definitely more graphic than I think is necessary. I have to classify this one as a "read at your own risk" book.
Rating: 4.1.5 Two moderately explicit sex scenes between unmarried people and a dozen f-words with a smattering of other profanity scattered throughout.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Kim!

It's too bad about the sex scenes. I loved Jane Eyre and would enjoy a modern version of it. Is it easy to skip/skim the scenes, or should I just not read the book?

Kim said...

I think the sex scenes are definitely skim/skippable. The language is much harder to avoid.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Kim; I can skip the sex scenes even if reading a book with sex will make me uncomfortable but still I love retelling stories.

P.S. You have the best book blog I've ever followed...

Nevey Berry
http://thevictorianvanity.blogspot.com

Vennesa said...

I was so disappointed in this book! I didn't even finish it. In this retelling Jane had unmarried sex with him. It ruined the story. In Jany Eyre I admired her for being strong & standing up for what was right by not sleeping with Mr. Rochester when he was still married. This Jane character was weak and immoral. Waste of my money and time.

Anonymous said...

I've just finished reading Jane, and despite the sex and language, I found Jane to be an enchanting read. I mean I'm 15 so that didn't really bother me but nonetheless it was amaxingly origanl while still staying true to the 1st Jane Eyre. I would give the book 5/5.