The Quest to read everything Jane Eyre

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...before they go as mad as the secret wife in the attic? I aim to find out! :)

This is where it all began.

Okay, I don't mean I aim to read Jane Eyre prequels, sequels, spin-offs and inspired bys/based ons until I actually go insane, more like, how many can I manage to read before I get thoroughly fed up with the whole thing.

Here's the cunning plan ... (updated 13 December 2012)

Have, already read, with links to reviews
  1. A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont (YA, inspired by, partial re-telling) - Preferred the non-JE bits
  2. Adèle by Emma Tennant (prequel-sequel) * - Hated!
  3. Adele Grace and Celine by Claire Moïse (sequel) - Okay
  4. An American Heir by Chrissy Breen Keffer (re-telling, modern, Kindle) - Currently reading! 
  5. Charlotte - The Final Journey of Jane Eyre by D. M. Thomas (inspired by/partial sequel, modern) - WTF?! Eww.
  6. Chocolate Roses by Joan Sowards (inspired by, modern, Mormon) - Not bad
  7. Claire's Not-So-Gothic Romance by Bonnie Blythe (re-telling, modern) - Too Jesus-heavy
  8. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde (spin-off) - LOVED!
  9. The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey (re-telling, 50/60s) - Loved the back story, romance unconvincing
  10. Forbidden Innocent, the by Sharon Kendrick (re-telling, modern, Mills & Boon)  - Squicky
  11. French Dancer's Bastard by Emma Tennant (prequel-sequel) * - Hated!
  12. Ironskin by Tina Connolly (re-telling, steampunk/fantasy) - My cuppa tea
  13. It All Began with Jane Eyre by Sheila Greenwald (YA, inspired by) -  Mental
  14. Jane by April Lindner (re-telling, modern) - Enjoyed
  15. Jane Airhead by Kay Woodward (inspired by, modern) - Enjoyed; made me giggle
  16. Jane and Her Master by Stephen Rawlings (re-telling, erotic/BDSM) - Absolutely disgusted!
  17. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (the original and best) - Loved, duh? :P
  18. Jane Eyre - the Graphic Novel (original, re-told as a graphic novel) - Very good
  19. Jane Eyre's Daughter by Elizabeth Newark (sequel) - Enjoyed, sort of
  20. Jane Eyre's Husband - The Life of Edward Rochester (prequel, re-telling, sequel about Rochester) by Tara Bradley - LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!
  21. Jane Rochester by Kimberly A Bennett (1st Edition) (sequel) - There are worse
  22. Jane Slayre by Charlotte Brontë and Sherri Browning Erwin (re-telling, horror/comedy) - Really enjoyed, brilliant concept
  23. Miss Elliott and the Eldritch by Laura Neubert (novella: re-telling, horror) - Enjoyed
  24. Mrs. Rochester by Hilary Bailey (sequel) - HATED! Characters completely wrong
  25. Reader, I Married Him by Janet Mullany (novella: re-telling/sequel, erotic) - Amused and bemused
  26. Rochester by JL Niemann (re-telling) - Really enjoyed ... sort of!
  27. Rochester: Consummation by J.L. Niemann (2011) - Uh, more for Jean Rhys fans ...
  28. Sloane Hall by Libby Sternberg (re-telling, 1920s Hollywood) - Enjoyed
  29. Thornfield Hall by Emma Tennant (prequel-sequel) * - Hated!
  30. The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (may contain echoes of) - Not enough Jane Eyre
  31. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys (prequel) - Enjoyed but hated
* Same book, different titles.

Currently reading
  1. The Memoirs of Edward Rochester by Ken Jones (re-telling by Rochester, Kindle)
  2. Brizecombe Hall by Catherine E Chapman (novelette: re-telling)

On the shelf, waiting to be read
  1. Adele: A Tale by Julia Kavanagh (presumed re-telling?)
  2. Carisbrooke Abbey a.k.a. One Night at the Abbey by Amanda Grange (re-telling)
  3. Cometh Up As a Flower by Rhoda Broughton (inspired by) 
  4. Copper Beeches, the by Arthur Conan Doyle (re-relling)
  5. Daisy Burns by Julia Kavanagh (inspired by?)
  6. Devil Within by Catherine George (re-relling)
  7. Disciplining Jane by "Jane Eyre" (a.k.a. An English Education by P N Dedeaux) (re-telling, erotic/BDSM)
  8. Grace Lee by Julia Kavanagh (inspired by?)
  9. Henry Brocken: His Travels and Adventures in the Rich, Strange, Scarce-Imaginable Regions of Romance by Walter de la Mare (inspired by?)
  10. I Am Jane Eyre by Teana Rowland (re-telling, erotic)
  11. Ivy Tree, the by Mary Stewart (inspired by, mystery?)
  12. Jane by Marielena Zuniga (some kind of reality/novel mashup, Kindle)
  13. Jane_E: Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole-Cupp (re-telling, sci-fi)
  14. Jane Eyre, Beware by Anthony Auriemma & Carolyn Chambers Clark (inspired by, Kindle)
  15. Jane Eyre's Rival: The Real Mrs Rochester by Clair Holland (re-telling, Kindle)
  16. Jane Rochester: Third Edition by Kimberly A Bennett (sequel, Kindle)
  17. Jenna Starborn by Sharon Shinn (re-telling, sci-fi)
  18. Jillian Dare by Melanie M. Jeshke (re-telling, modern)
  19. Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (inspired by)
  20. Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart (inspired by)
  21. Olive by Dinah Mulock Craik (inspired by)
  22. Palladian by Elizabeth Taylor (inspired by)
  23. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (inspired by)
  24. South Riding by Winifred Holtby (inspired by)
  25. Thornycroft Hall by Emma Jane Worboise (late 19th Century rip-off?)
  26. Unicorn, the by Iris Murdoch (inspired by)
  27. Vera by Elizabeth von Armin (inspired by, similar to Rebecca)

Will be getting at some point
I'm eternally grateful for review copies, awesome authors/publishers! :)

  1. Anne Eyre by Summer Day (re-telling)
  2. Cat and Mouse by Christianna Brand (inspired by)
  3. Dark Companion by Marta Acosta (re-telling)
  4. Jane Eyre Laid Bare by Eve Sinclair (re-telling, erotic)
  5. The Jane Eyre Chronicles: Death of a Schoolgirl by Joanna Campbell Slan (mystery, sequel)

Not yet published
I'm eternally grateful for review copies, awesome authors/publishers! :)

  1. The Hierophant by Michael Shilling (?) 
  2. Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt & Isabelle Arsenault (2013)
  3. The Jane Eyre Chronicles: Death of a Dowager by Joanna Campbell Slan (April 2013) 
  4. The Journal of Jane Reed Eyre by Kimberly A Bennett (2013)
  5. The Truth About Jane Eyre by Beth Pattillo (?)

Would love, if I can a) find (if you can help, please let me know!) and b) afford
  • A Hidden Passion by Lucia Logan (plagiarised re-telling, homoerotic)
  • Mrs. Rochester by Warwick Blanchett (sequel)

Only if/when they are translated into English
  • Edward F. Rochester by Christine Paris Bruyer (French, re-telling)
  • La Bambinaia Francese by Bianca Pitzorno (Italian, re-telling)

Need further investigation to see if they're applicable or not
  • Secret of Kyriels, the by Edith Nesbit (1899)
  • Wanted: Someone Innocent by Margery Allingham (1945)

I aim to read all the ones I can come over and review them and then make a post with short comments and summaries about each title so that there's at least one comprehensive guide to these books out there on the interwebs. At least I tell myself this would be a good thing to do, something to strive toward, rather than just compulsively collect Jane Eyre-related books and read them because I'm ever so slightly obsessed by the story. Might as well put the obsession to good use, or, put a method to my madness.

I have to draw the line somewhere, so I've consciously decided not to include:
  • fanfic or short stories only posted in forums or on fanfic/writing communities (too much material, too little time - I wasn't planning on continuing this quest into my next incarnation!)
  • short stories published in anthologies with other material (don't want to buy a big book when I only want to read a small part of it - simply haven't got the money ... or shelf space. If it's an anthology of ONLY JE-related items, fair enough)
  • poetry (ugh)
  • foreign languages (would help if I could understand what I'm reading, right? I'm fluent in English and Swedish, and Norwegian and Danish are similar enough to Swedish to work. I might be willing to try German, because I want to learn the language, but I'm only at a level to grasp very easy children's books ...)
If it's a novella or short story published somewhere (or about to be) that the author can submit to me as a PDF, Word document or eBook format (.mobi, .prc, .azw), I'll be willing to have a read and review it. Just provide me with some publication details, so I can point people in the right direction if they want to read it too. :)

If you spot any more, or can provide the novels I'm missing for a reasonable price or just lend them to me (you'll get them back, I promise!), please let me know - DM me on Twitter (@TheSqueee), email me at blog (at) traxy (dot) co (dot) uk or see the bottom of the page for further stalking opportunities! :)

Big thanks to Thisbeciel at The Enthusiast's Guide to Jane Eyre Adaptations for a very extensive list of derivatives!

Comments

  1. Dealor25 November 2010 at 19:54

    Good luck with your quest. My friend is also on a similar quest so hope you both get to read them all!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Traxy26 November 2010 at 13:13

    Thank you! :) All the best of luck to your friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown28 November 2010 at 02:02

    Wow, I had no idea the list of Jane retellings, sequels, prequels, etc. was so extensive! Best of luck with your list. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous16 January 2011 at 11:05

    Did you manage to get a copy of Jane Rochester by K.Bennett? I have a copy which I'm more than happy to pop into the post to help you complete your quest!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Traxy16 January 2011 at 18:16

    Hi Anonymous,
    Thank you for your comment! No, I still haven't got a hold of that one, so I'd be absolutely delighted at your offer! Please email me at dishmastah (at) traxy (dot) net and we can talk more about it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous3 March 2011 at 01:34

    I hope you are enjoying Tara Bradley's book - I originally read it on one of the forums on which she originally posted it, chapter by chapter, and I'd say it's simply the best JE-related story I've come across.
    However, unless you want to end your quest sooner rather than later, I'd advise you to not touch the D.M. Thomas book with a bargepole - it really is a travesty of the original ...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Traxy3 March 2011 at 09:09

    Oh yes, I started reading the Bradley book yesterday during my lunch break at work and had some difficulties putting it down and getting back to my desk! If it continues the same way, expect an incredibly gushing review! :D

    With travesties to the original, well, already read a few of those, so I'm kind of ... prepared. Now I think I approach it more in a sort of "okay, so how bad can this author f**k it up?" way. We'll see how it goes. At least it looks like a fairly thin book! Thanks for the warning, though. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous3 March 2011 at 12:04

    I'm sure you'll continue to enjoy Tara Bradley's book 'Jane Eyre's Husband - The Life Of Edward Rochester' it is, as you say, very difficult to put down!

    I've also read 'Rochester', the first of a trilogy by Joanna Nieman, and although it's a very different take on Rochester I found it an enjoyable but somewhat
    'angsty' read.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tara9 March 2011 at 08:16

    "Jane Eyre's Husband" now has a web site!

    https://sites.google.com/site/janeeyreshusband/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Traxy9 March 2011 at 09:15

    Hi Tara! Sweet - I'll add it to the review. :D I'm still only half-way through (last thing was Mason and uncle John talking), but it's very difficult to put down.

    ReplyDelete
  11. jomel9 March 2011 at 13:49

    Hi Traxy, I have a few more books for you to add to your list:

    Jane_E Friendless Orphan by Erin McCole-Cupp. A sci-fi retelling.

    La Bambinaia Francese by Bianca Pitzorno - written in Italian about the lives of Celine, Adele, and eventually Bertha. Not a good portrayal of Edward and Jane.

    Edward R. Rochester by Christine Paris Bruyer - written in French. His side of the story. Charming.

    And last but not least

    A Hidden Passion by Lucia Logan - a homoerotic retelling of JE that was pulled off shelves for plagiarism months after it won some writing award. I had a lot of trouble finding a copy of it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Traxy9 March 2011 at 14:45

    Hi jomel, thanks for letting me know! Have put "Jane_E" in my shopping basket and will try and see if I can track down the homoerotic one (O.O). That'll ... be ... umm ... interesting.

    I've heard of the Italian and the French books, but umm, seeing as how the only Italian I know is "ciao" and although I did three years of French in school (finished 13 years ago), I never was very good at it. If they ever get translated into English, I'll definitely read them, but until then, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass. :(

    ReplyDelete
  13. jpmel10 March 2011 at 20:46

    I have two more book titles to add to the list.

    H: The Story of Heathcliff's Journey Back to Wuthering Heights by Lin Haire-Sargeant

    Don't let the title fool you. The plot is very relevant to JE.

    And a strange book titled Henry Brocken by Walter J. De La Mare where a chapter is devoted to Jane and Edward at Ferndean.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tara24 April 2011 at 15:21

    Traxy-

    Thanks to a friend who is more computer smart than I am, "Jane Eyre's Husband" has a book trailer now!

    Thanks, Tara

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGaqbiIeM9g

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tara24 June 2011 at 08:33

    Right now I'm about halfway through "An American Heir" by Chrissy Breen Keffer. It is really good! The writer is a very good one, and her Rochester character is very well-done. She does an excellent job of nailing the initial conversations between the Jane and Edward characters. I wasn't sure I'd like it, as my favorite modern telling was done on the Toby Stephens Invision site, but this one is also very skillfully done. It's set in America, with completely different names for the characters, but the author does a great job of making parallels between the new and the old. I'm quite impressed and am glad to see it's on your "to read" list!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Traxy29 June 2011 at 11:03

    jpmel: I'll look into them, thanks! :)

    Tara: Oooh, I can use that trailer as a teaser for the review(s). :)

    Nice to hear AAH is supposed to be good. Currently reading something else on my Kindle (I know you can read multiple things but I prefer to concentrate on one at a time) but might pick it afterwards. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Laura16 October 2011 at 08:37

    I just happened upon your list (after reading Rochester and looking for the upcoming sequel to Niemann's re-telling). I wanted to let you know that there's another re-telling that will be published in the US in January 2012 called The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey. Here's a link to the author's page for more information: http://www.margotlivesey.com/the-flight-of-gemma-hardy.html

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bertha7 January 2012 at 19:09

    The sequel to J.L. Niemann's Rochester is out! Yeah, we have been waiting for this book for almost a year.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Traxy7 January 2012 at 21:26

    Really? That's excellent news! Haven't checked the Toby Stephens forum for ages, but will remember to do so now - and go look for the book! Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kaprekar12 April 2012 at 17:22

    I admire your resolve - I could never do this!!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Traxy18 April 2012 at 10:45

    I think an apt phrase here would be something about biting off more than I can chew. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  22. RhubarbsMom21 April 2012 at 20:49

    I just finished "A Breath of Eyre" by Eva Marie Mont and I really enjoyed it.  Although it's inspired by Jane Eyre it's not a verbatim rehash of the book; instead it has echoes of JE woven seamlessly throughout.  Definitely worth reading.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Traxy23 April 2012 at 16:50

    Nice. Been meaning to get hold of that one when it came out. Which I guess is now! Thanks for the info! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. BlueVelvet26 December 2012 at 18:52

    If any of you read the first two books of the Rochester novel by J.L. Niemann (its a trilogy- the first one is "Rochester" by J.L. Niemann, the second one is "Rochester: Consummation" by J.L. Niemann, and the last installment to be called "Rochester: Redemption" by J.L. Niemann, was due to be released in November 2012. The first two were so good. Totally put you inside rochester's head instead of jane this time. Very enthralling. Well i have been researching this for TWO WEEKS and finally found the publishing company, Trafford Publishing, and I called them to see when the book would be coming out. SAD news. It will never be published. It will remain a forever cliffhanger for you. The author J.L. Niemann died in July 2012 so alas we will forever have to wonder how she would have finished this richly detailed story. I am so bummed out. I wanted so badly to see what happened inside rochester's head after jane left him and how he coped and what he did with himself for that year and what all his thoughts and feelings were and how he finally redeemed himself. :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Traxy26 December 2012 at 19:05

      Oh no! Thanks for letting me know. :( So sad to hear that. The author was a member of a Toby Stephens fan forum and I was delighted to hear book 2 was coming out, but haven't visited the site in ages. I believe she posted the whole thing there first, so technically you could still read part 3, but I'm sad it won't be published officially and that she has left us. RIP fellow Eyre-fan. :(

      Delete
    2. Traxy20 February 2013 at 00:20

      Seems like the publisher is full of bull. Niemann is alive and working on part 3, currently editing. Rumours of her demise are greatly exaggerated - thank heavens! :)

      Delete
  25. Katherine Boyer Coble20 February 2013 at 07:05

    Hi there! I found this listing of your quest while searching for opinions about the Chrissy Breen Keeler retelling. (I'm currently enjoying it, but haven't gotten to the St. John Rivers part yet. That usually makes or breaks retellings.)

    I'm thoroughly excited about the news of _Jane Eyre's Husband_; it's currently sitting on my wishlist, waiting for payday.

    I thought I ought to mention a book you don't have on here but that you might want to include for completeness' sake. _Wide Sargasso Sea_ is Jane Eyre as told through the eyes of Bertha Mason Rochester. It's a more ponderous novel, but still quite good. I'd encourage you to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Traxy20 February 2013 at 12:13

      Oh yeah, I still need to review An American Heir. Umm. I remember thinking it was pretty good, but I'll have to check my Kindle highlights. That's the problem, if I don't write about it soon enough after reading, I completely forget what it was about and what I thought of it.

      Jane Eyre's Husband is awesome. Hope you'll enjoy it!

      Wide Sargasso Sea is on there, ya know, bottom of the list of books I've read. ;)

      Delete
  26. jpmel24 February 2013 at 20:41

    Here is a new one for you:
    "The Billionaire's Secrets" by Meadow Taylor.

    ReplyDelete
  27. jpmel26 February 2013 at 12:03

    You're welcome, Traxy.

    Here is another. They just keep coming.
    "The First Mrs. Rochester and Her Husband" by M C Smith

    ReplyDelete

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