Hidden Passion or Hidden Plagiarism?

Dreamspinner Press, publishers of Gay Erotic Romance as they define themselves, publish this month the following book.

A Hidden Passion by Lucia Logan

Orphaned as an infant in the 1800's, David Ayres endures a loveless childhood among unfeeling relations and education at a bleak charity school. Despite these hardships, he grows into a caring and self-reliant young man. Hoping to widen his limited experience, David accepts a position as a tutor to the ward of a wealthy but mysterious employer. While drawn to the brooding and passionate Peter Frederik Nordsen, a series of disturbing events threaten David's safety and his heart. Based on a timeless classic, this compelling story follows David's journey through dark secrets and hidden passions in his search for love. Read full chapter excerpt.

ISBN: 978-0-9795048-6-0
Length: 436 Pages
Publication Date: August, 2007
Illustrations & Cover art by Antonia Stone
Cover design by Mara McKennen

A gay version of Jane Eyre? It's not the first case that we have reported it. But according to Speak its Name, maybe this time it's a little bit more than just a version of Charlotte Brontë's work:

In the preface to this book, the author calls this “an homage to Jane Eyre.” This, to my eyes, is NOT an homage. An homage involves two works sharing some basic elements without being the exact same story. Rent could be taken as an homage to La Boheme, for example. There are similar themes—bohemians coping with love, poverty and death—but the characters and the plot differ.

That’s not the case here. In scene after scene, Logan either paraphrases Bronte or her words are absolutely identical to Bronte’s. I am amazed that an editor at Dreamspinner Press didn’t notice it prior to purchasing the book, never mind publication. (...)

The sad thing is that the story could have been interesting if Logan had gone with Jane Eyre’s basic plotline–”orphaned governess/tutor falls in love with the master of the house”–but let the tutor and the gentleman develop their own backgrounds and problems and personalities, rather than being Homosexual Rochester and Genderswitched Jane. As it is…well, I’m sadly disappointed in the—no, I cannot call her the author.

In the post you can find comparisons between Hidden Passion and Jane Eyre quite illustrative.

Categories: Books, Jane Eyre