A Rivers, a Rochester and maybe a Reed
I’ve begun a new project, and it’s quite a departure for me. Not only for the historical setting but also in that it’s influenced by a much loved classic. This is bringing as many problems as it does opportunities.
One that immediately presents itself is that my dramatis personae are already laid out for me, the characters already named. Saves a bit of time, you might think? Maybe, but it also means there’s potential for confusion built in.
With each of my other novels, I endeavoured to distribute the names evenly through the alphabet. But here I have a Brocklehurst, a Blanche and a Bertha; a Rivers, a Rochester and potentially a Reed if I name my heroine’s cruel aunt. This wouldn’t be the way I’d do it if I were starting from scratch.
If you recognise these names, you might be asking yourself whether the world needs another adaptation of Jane Eyre. Perhaps not, but it’s a story that bugs me when, as a volunteer in the Peak District National Park, I lead a walk through the landscape thought to have inspired Charlotte Brontë’s novel.
I haven’t managed to devise a route that follows the exact order of events in the novel. For example, we visit ‘Moor House’ before we get catch sight of ‘Thornfield’. But it seems to work.
It could be this that has given me the freedom – or audacity – to play around with other aspects of the novel. The characters (but not their names). The plot. I’ve mapped out a version that subverts almost every element of Charlotte Brontë’s version. Diehard fans might hate it, but I’m having fun.
What do you think, dear reader? If you’re even vaguely familiar with Jane Eyre, I imagine you’ll have a view. What would you change about that story? What do you consider sacrosanct?
Think a great idea but guess somehow you have to deal with the mad woman in the attic. But not quite Wide Sargasso Sea but worth a trip. Think remakes and shifts in perspective are great. Well, Shakespeare did that. Wondering where in the Peak District you mean. Always associated places near Haworth with the Brontes but of course Jane Eyre travels to Thornfield.
Thanks for chipping in, Georgina. Yes, Bertha will have a big part although I haven’t quite worked out yet how to incorporate her back story.
Yes, most people assume that Jane Eyre is set on the Brontës’ stomping ground in Yorkshire but there’s hard evidence that Charlotte came to Hathersage two years before the book was published and a lot of circumstantial evidence that she used the area for her settings. If you can get the Peak District, come and join me on my walk!
Hi!!
Honestly I’d change a couple of things. Firstly, Helen’s death. Yes, it’s a beautiful, touching scene. BUT, so sad and tragic. Her ONLY friend dies!!! I know it’s does back then, and frequently. But….but…..but…. 😭😭😭😭😭.
Secondly, Rochester scarred and blinded by fire. And yes he regained his vision and saw their baby. (Who remained nameless, sadly) but still. Fire. Or is that just me? I’d just have had her go back when she realised that marrying St John was a really bad idea. She wasn’t a missionaries wife, and she wasn’t in love with him.
I love that book so much. Seriously. So I guess those two pints are the only two I’d have suggested CB left out had I known her 😂😂.
First read the book aged 10. I’m 52 now and still in love!!!!!
Thank you for sharing. And isn’t it lovely that a book we read in childhood still speaks to us in middle age.
I’m trying to avoid spoilers here but I can safely say that my Helen survives but still has much to teach Jane in adulthood. My version keeps the fire I’m afraid.
Incidentally, regarding the unnamed baby, there are a few Jane Eyre follow-ups. You might be interested to look up Luccia Gray
https://lucciagray.com/category/the-eyre-hall-trilogy/