Review: This retell will NOT disappoint
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 21, 2014
Great series.LK Rigel does a terrific job in recrafting Bronte's classic, Jane Eyre.  I started the series with trepidation, hoped that the story would elaborate one of my favorite books.  I was not disappointed.  The story is told well, with little disconnection to the original.  More so, this series explored and explained so many puzzles and gaps.  Obviously Rigel is a fan of this novel, her writing shows a great deal of thought about circumstances and empathy with the characters.  For example (and spoilers)*  Bertha Rochester's descent into madness.  Never understood why young Rochester didn't figure out she was mad until after the wedding.  Rigel's explanation was perfect and just set well with me.*  This dystopian world in 2081, Victorian setting allowed the characters to move freely.  Fun references to contemporary works like Putnam's trilogy or 30 Shades of Gray or 20th century movies.  There were also some interesting bits about the future effectiveness of antibiotics, and most certainly contraception.*  Jane Eyre is such a true feminist -- looking within herself for answers, objectively measuring the world.  How frightening was the society of the future which had sunken into a misogynistic mire.  Yet Jane was the same Jane of the Bronte novel.*  Rochester was terrific and a great improvement on the Bronte figure.  His character is more detailed.  His bond with Jane more tangible.  His attraction to this woman below his station finally made sense.  He was such a miserable man and Jane was clearly his redemption.  He was also an ass.  He masqueraded to find out her secrets.  He flirted shamefully with another to make her jealous.  He was impulsive and never considered the consequences to Jane.  Most importantly, despite all his flaws this Rochester was ultimately likable.  I wanted him to be with Jane because they were meant for each other.  I believed in their romance and that is essential to any romance novel*  Good treatment of secondary characters like Georgie, St JohnIf you're a fan of Bronte's Jane Eyre, give this series a chance.  It is well thought out and delightful.