JOHN EYE

A retelling of Jane Eyre that offers nods to the original novel while adding entirely new elements.

In 1843 England, John Eyre, having just left his last teaching position after the death of his employer, answers a request for a tutor at Thornfield Hall in Yorkshire. Upon arriving at his new home, John finds that not only is the man who hired him, Mr. Fairfax, not his boss, but that the owner of the house isn’t even present. John meets the two boys he’s expected to teach, but they both seem ill and don’t speak to him. After a time, John acclimates to teaching the boys and living in his new residence, although it always feels gloomy and oppressive due to the constant mists surrounding Thornfield. When John finally does happen upon the head of the household, Mrs. Rochester, it’s quite by accident, and it’s such a surprise that he spooks her horse, causing her to take a fall. Despite this unpleasant introduction, the pair manages to get along well enough; they butt heads on occasion, but they find a strange comfort in each other’s company. John can tell that Mrs. Rochester is haunted by her past—and maybe even by Thornfield itself. It turns out that she may not be the widow she claims to be, and her history may be darker than John could have imagined. In this thrilling remix of Charlotte Brontë’s work, Matthews skillfully transforms a well-known story into a truly original tale. Not only does she switch the main characters’ sexes, she also adds in supernatural aspects, such as eerie mists that attack Mrs. Rochester, and a few other alterations that are best left unspoiled. Told in a combination of prose, letters from Mrs. Rochester to her friend, and diary entries, the tale has a tendency to hop back and forth in time, but the transitions are seamless and easy to follow. Those who are familiar with the classic story will find much to enjoy here, as there are enough references to its inspiration to satisfy fans, but there’s enough new material to intrigue newcomers as well.

An entertaining spin on a classic with thrilling twists and turns.