I’ve recently read two books that were based on other works.
In both cases, even though the books were okay, more than anything they left me
wanting to read the original works again.
The first book was The
Flight of Gemma Hardy, which is an updating of Jane Eyre. Not updated to current times, but to the 1950s and 60s. I’m not sure how it works on its own for
someone who hasn’t read Jane Eyre.
There are certain beats to the Jane Eyre story you have to have, and this book
has them. But they aren’t cleverly interpreted or really all that modernized. It
really is just like the author took Jane, changed character and place names (Mr. Sinclair for Mr.
Rochester, Blackbird Hall for Thornfield), a few biographical details, then
added a few things to differentiate it chronologically – cars, phones, lesbians,
WWII. I spent the book just waiting out
the major plot points and not really enjoying the journey. Whereas I’ve read the
original multiple times and I enjoy the journey every time, because it is so
well written and the language is so beautiful. (Also, it’s so hard to imagine a Jane
Eyre-type character in pants).
The big twist in Gemma
Hardy – the homologue to the infamous twist in Jane Eyre – was disappointing. I mean, it’s not good an
inconsequential thing, but it’s hardly something that warrants Gemma’s
reaction. Whereas Jane’s reaction to what happens in Jane Eyre makes much more sense. I’m being deliberately vague
because Oz hasn’t read Eyre yet and has
somehow managed to avoid this spoiler for her entire life, and I don’t want to
ruin it now.
 |
| Here's a random picture of Michael Fassbender playing Mr. Rochester. |
No comments:
Post a Comment