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Book Review: Jane by Marielena Zuniga

December 22, 2011 by Darlene

It is present day and Jane Elliott is living and working at Lavendar Hall as a nanny to eight year old Rochelle. Jane had been living living in a convent for the past 10 years but, because of an unstable Mother Superior, she had been asked to leave. Thankfully she found a position where she had room and board. One of Jane’s great loves is the classic Jane Eyre; really because she’s always felt that she and Jane Eyre share so much in common in their lives. It really shouldn’t have come as any surprise to Jane, that after she’s hit by lightening while reading Jane Eyre, she awakens to find none other than Jane Eyre standing over her.

It seems that she and Jane Eyre have been brought into each others lives in order to help each other but wait, Jane Eyre is a fictional character, is she not? Jane is quite certain she must be losing her mind and yet, over the next while Jane Eyre appears to her many more times. They begin to form a friendship with each other sharing their troubles which strangely seem very similar. The thing is though that Jane knows what is going to happen to Jane Eyre – she’s read the book. Several times Jane Eyre tells Jane that she’s going to steer off the path and this sends Jane into a tizzy. She simply must follow the path set out for that Charlotte Bronte created in her beloved novel.

Nevertheless, Jane must live her own life as well. Despite trying hard to keep to herself, she finds her attraction to Mr. Bentley growing. However there are other things at Lavendar Hall that are seriously troubling her like those awful screams in the middle of the night that it seems nobody but her is hearing. Every time she mentions it to anyone they brush her off. Eventually Mr. Bentley wins her heart and being plain Jane as she is, she is overwhelmed with love for the man. They marry and everything seems fine for a while. However, it’s not long before everything falls apart for Jane and she must decide what is best for her future.

This novel follows closely with the original story of Jane Eyre although set in a more modern time. Modern day Jane is the same as Jane Eyre in that she’s lived her life without love or friends. Much of the same happens to both women although with a little different of a twist for modern day Jane. If you love the novel Jane Eyre as I do then it’s likely you’d enjoy this novel. I’m not sure it offers any major difference between the two novels as some spin-offs do, but it is a good read and I really enjoyed it. I really liked the idea of the parallel lives. How cool would it be to have your favorite fictional character pop into your life one day? As I said, if you’re a lover of Jane Eyre, then you should definitely check out Jane!

You can find Marielena on Facebook and you  can pick up your own e-copy of Jane for your Kindle or your Nook for only $2.99!

Source: Review copy provided by the author. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are mine alone.

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexis @ Reflections of a Bookaholic says

    December 22, 2011 at 3:23 am

    Oh I never heard of this one. I’m not sure if I want to read it if it follows that close to the original but then again, I really like Jane Eyre. Thanks for putting this on my radar.

  2. Lisa Garrett says

    December 22, 2011 at 4:47 am

    I love this cover!!!!

  3. Anna says

    December 22, 2011 at 4:54 am

    I haven’t read any variations of Jane Eyre yet, so I will keep this one in mind. Great review!

  4. TheBookGirl says

    December 22, 2011 at 6:44 am

    This is an interesting premise — very different than alot of the other Austen/Bronte re-workings that I’ve seen.
    You have me thinking about which fictional character I’d like to have appear in my life…

  5. Sandy says

    December 22, 2011 at 7:53 am

    I am never sure about spin-offs, but I am strangely attracted to that cover.

  6. Ann Weisgarber says

    December 22, 2011 at 8:43 am

    It’s a brave author who writes a modern take on a classic. It makes me want to give Jane a try. Thanks for the review; I hadn’t heard about it before.

  7. jennygirl says

    December 22, 2011 at 9:18 am

    I’ve not heard of this one, but it sounds quite good. Thanks Darlene 🙂

  8. Serena says

    December 22, 2011 at 11:20 am

    This sounds like a great variation…I haven’t read Jane Eyre, so I’d probably want to read that first before reading this one.

    Thanks for the great review.

  9. Jenners says

    December 22, 2011 at 12:05 pm

    Finally another Jane (besides Austen) gets a little reimagining!

  10. zibilee says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    I loved Jane Eyre, which I read this year, and would love to read this book as well. It seems pretty interesting to me, and this reimagining sounds like it would be a very good one. I am so glad to hear that you loved it, and since you did, I know that the possibility that I will will be great as well. Wonderful review today, Dar!

  11. Sherri says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    Sounds like my kind of book!

  12. Beth Hoffman says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:38 pm

    This sounds very interesting. Terrific review, Dar!

  13. blodeuedd says

    December 22, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Oh I love Jane Eyre so this one definitely made me interested

  14. Sophia Rose says

    December 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    I was unaware of this book and I love the original story so I might give this one a go.

    Thanks for posting the review.

  15. Mary says

    December 22, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    I saw the recent film version of Jane Eyre earlier this year and really liked it. I read the book when I was in high school. Your review has me adding it to my TBR list, Dar. Thanks!

  16. Patricia Kemp Blackmon says

    December 22, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    I read Jane Eyre saw the movie many times. I is definitely one of my favorites.
    Wonderful post/review. I went right to Barnes & Noble and purchased the book.

    Blessings and Happy Holidays
    Patricia aka Mamaw

  17. bookworm says

    December 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    This sounds really nice. I have Jane Eyre sitting in my TBR.

  18. Staci says

    December 24, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    This one sounds great. I’ve yet to read the classic but I love the Masterpiece version!! LOL!! sounds like a great one and for 2.99 that’s a great buy! Thanks for a great review.

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