AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
Fiona Hardingham’s upbeat, animated narration is perfectly suited to this tongue-in-cheek retelling of JANE EYRE. With obvious affection for the source material, the authors turn the classic into a farcical adventure featuring not only Jane Eyre, but the Brontë siblings, the Duke of Wellington, and some very real ghosts. It’s a clever update that offers more modern—if more supernatural—explanations for both Jane and Mr. Rochester’s behavior. Hardingham brings the story to life with aplomb, using a variety of accents and voices for the large cast of characters and a knowing tone for the frequent asides on the abysmal state of women’s rights in the pre-Victorian era, pop culture, and more. Silly, delightful fun. E.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 04/09/2018
Hand, Ashton, and Meadows follow up My Lady Jane (about Lady Jane Gray) with another tongue-in-cheek novel about a famous Jane—this time, Jane Eyre. In this take on the classic, Jane and Charlotte Brontë are good friends from school, and as Jane’s story unfolds, Charlotte records every moment of it—at first writing it as a murder mystery, then a romance. Jane can also see ghosts, and the Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits determines that she is a rare Beacon (someone who can control ghosts), offering her a high-paying job. The chapters switch among the handsome young Alexander, a member of the Society; Charlotte, who convinces Alexander to give her a temp job (and who falls for Alexander); and Jane, who spurns her job offer, heads off to Thornfield, and falls for Rochester. The authors’ prose holds all the flavor of a juicy period novel yet with the addition of numerous, witty asides. The narrative is full of wry humor—at one point, Jane thinks to herself about Rochester, “He was everything she’d ever dreamed about. Tall. Dark. Brooding”—and laugh-out-loud commentary. The authors’ affection for their source material is abundantly clear in this clever, romantic farce. Ages 13–up. (June)
From the Publisher
★ “Holds all the flavor of a juicy period novel yet with the addition of numerous, witty asides. Full of wry humor and laugh-out-loud commentary. The authors’ affection for their source material is abundantly clear in this clever, romantic farce.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ “A delightfully deadpan deconstruction of a Gothic novel, with a ghost almost no one can see providing the commentary. Marvelously self-aware and almost too clever for its own good.” — Booklist (starred review)
★ “A madcap story of ghosts, possession, revenge, and murder. Humorously blends fact with fiction and offers a gentler, more hopeful outcome for Charlotte, her siblings, and her heroine.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Reader, it delighted. A fun, supernatural mashup of different literary novels that shines on its own merit.” — Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR MY LADY JANE: ★ “Wacky, irreverent, and just plain fun. This fantasy-adventure politely tips its hat to history before joyfully punting it out of the way. An utter delight.” — Booklist (starred review)
★ “An uproarious historical fantasy that’s not to be missed.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Gleefully anachronistic comedy.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Three cheers for this well-written and rollicking revision of history full of timely mannerisms and bold adventure. Those who enjoy clever humor, colorful fantasy, and light romance will savor each page.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
“The Tudors meets Monty Python. Prepare to laugh and gasp and clutch your pearls.” — Tahereh Mafi, New York Times bestselling author of the Shatter Me series
“History, humor, and unexpected magic come together in this marvelous story.” — Jessica Day George, author of Silver in the Blood
“Adventure, intrigue, humor, and romance abound. A great choice for those who enjoy lighthearted, alternative history adventures.” — School Library Journal
Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)
Three cheers for this well-written and rollicking revision of history full of timely mannerisms and bold adventure. Those who enjoy clever humor, colorful fantasy, and light romance will savor each page.
Jessica Day George
History, humor, and unexpected magic come together in this marvelous story.
Tahereh Mafi
The Tudors meets Monty Python. Prepare to laugh and gasp and clutch your pearls.
Booklist (starred review)
★ “A delightfully deadpan deconstruction of a Gothic novel, with a ghost almost no one can see providing the commentary. Marvelously self-aware and almost too clever for its own good.
School Library Journal
★ 03/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—This standalone alternate history novel inserts teenaged aspiring author Charlotte Brontë into the world of her own making (with the addition of ghosts) as she chronicles the life of her best friend at Lowood, Jane Eyre, as inspiration for her first novel. Charlotte's authorial ambitions and Jane's plans to become a governess are thwarted when Jane's ability to see ghosts comes to the attention of Alexander Blackwood, an agent for the once-prestigious Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits. Determined to help his mentor restore the Society to its past glory, Alexander is keen to recruit Ms. Eyre as an agent—even if it means taking off his ever-present mask and accepting help from the overly eager Ms. Brontë and her screw-up brother. This simple task spirals into a madcap story of ghosts, possession, revenge, and murder as Charlotte, Jane, and Alexander must set aside their differences to solve the mysteries of Thornfield Hall, help the Society (and the ghosts), and maybe even save the King of England in the process. Narrated by Charlotte, Jane, and Alexander, this novel uses Jane Eyre as a loose framework. It humorously blends fact with fiction and offers a gentler, more hopeful outcome for Charlotte, her siblings, and her heroine. VERDICT A must-read for fans of My Lady Jane or Jane Eyre and a fun alternative for fans of paranormal romances.—Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library
AUGUST 2018 - AudioFile
Fiona Hardingham’s upbeat, animated narration is perfectly suited to this tongue-in-cheek retelling of JANE EYRE. With obvious affection for the source material, the authors turn the classic into a farcical adventure featuring not only Jane Eyre, but the Brontë siblings, the Duke of Wellington, and some very real ghosts. It’s a clever update that offers more modern—if more supernatural—explanations for both Jane and Mr. Rochester’s behavior. Hardingham brings the story to life with aplomb, using a variety of accents and voices for the large cast of characters and a knowing tone for the frequent asides on the abysmal state of women’s rights in the pre-Victorian era, pop culture, and more. Silly, delightful fun. E.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2018-03-20
Mysteries abound on the moors—and not all of them are of this world.When Charlotte Brontë's best friend, Jane Eyre, is offered a job with the Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits, Charlotte is dismayed that Jane takes a position as a governess at Thornfield Hall instead. So Charlotte decides that she's the right person for the job, even if she can't see ghosts like Jane can. Nevertheless, she persists, joining her brother and his mentor, Alexander Blackwood, in serving the Society by trying to recruit Jane. Jane, however, has fallen in love with her employer and has no interest in leaving. A domino line of events follows the two white women and friends as they find love, work, ghosts, and strengths they never suspected. Hand, Ashton, and Meadows (My Lady Jane, 2016) offer up a fantastical, tongue-in-cheek plot that manages to both poke fun at and hold in high esteem the novel that provided the inspiration. A healthy dose of feminism and logic offers a contemporary perspective, often through the character of a ghost named Helen who isn't afraid to call out Rochester's patriarchal absurdities—even though most people can't hear her. A passing familiarity with Jane Eyre is beneficial but not necessary for enjoying this book. Reader, it delighted.A fun, supernatural mashup of different literary novels that shines on its own merit. (Fantasy. 13-adult)
