Eclectic reviews

The Independent reviews The Male Gaze by Joe Treasure. We find this passing comment in it:

And it kills the suicidal Natalie, who's been filmed by a mysterious figure (codenamed "Rochester" in her journals, after a character from her favourite novel, Jane Eyre. Yes, that's right - the bloke who undergoes a symbolic castration by losing his sight) doing something she shouldn't. (Nicola Smyth)

Isn't it time we dropped the Freudian castration? How does it make sense that blindness and a maimed arm entail castration (symbolic or not)? To judge from the novel itself, Jane goes on to have Edward's children.

Confessions of a Crazy Chick reviews Wide Sargasso Sea.

It doesn't destroy Jane Eyre, or Rochester, for me, but it does give a new perspective by which to approach that novel when I read it next week. It is fascinating, sensual, and though I would consider its language largely minimalistic it provides fertile ground for the discussion of many topics (I'm sure we'll do most of our talking about sexuality, patriarchy, and colonialization in class, though). Also, it's, like, 200 pages long; it amazes me that Rhys was able to pack so much into such a tight space. I guess that's what minimalism is for, though. What a contrast to the novel that begat it--it's like she was attempting to write the anti-Jane Eyre-est novel possible; where Brontë used so much language, was so descriptive, Rhys toned it down, and was evocative without being over the top. I admire this, in addition to her masterful use of multiple voices, and her seamless POV changes. This book really is a masterpiece, although you'd be forgiven (by me, at least) if you skip the boring, useless intro.

Tabula Rasa reviews The Eyre Affair.

It's brilliant. It's set in a fantastic world where literary characters and real people interact, and some people travel through time. The main idea of the story is that Jane Eyre has been kidnapped, so the book can't be enjoyed. And literary detectives have to find her and put her back into the book. Very postmodern. Very meta.

And don't forget there's a new installment of Thursday Next coming out in July!

Regina Irae reviews - in Spanish - Wuthering Heights. It seems to be a not-so-modern translation since many characters still have their names translated as well: Elena Dean, Catalina...

Corine's Corner interviews actor Tom D'Angora and he confesses he's a fan of Jane Eyre The Musical.

Other then [sic] your show, do you have a favorite musical?

TD: I have a few. Most recently Caroline Or Change (Which we scheduled our L.A. run of divas around). I loved Urinetown. But if I have to choose one, I would have to say Jane Eyre The Musical. I don’t know if it was the actual show or Marla Schaffel’s flawless performance in it that makes it my favorite. Seeing her play that role made me understand how important good acting is in Musical theater. People put the acting second to how high you can sing and it is sad. But Marla as Jane Eyre had the acting chops and could sing her face off so what more could a young gay boy need.

Categories: Books, Jane Eyre, Music, References, Translations, Wide Sargasso Sea, Wuthering Heights