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Available
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Series
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Publication
HarperTeen (2018), 462 pages
Description
Fantasy. Romance. Humor (Fiction.) Young Adult Fiction. HTML: Move over, Charlotte Bront�. The authors of the New York Times bestselling My Lady Jane are back with an irreverent spin on Jane Eyre�a tale of mischief, romance, and supernatural mayhem perfect for fans of The Princess Bride or A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. You may think you know the story. Penniless orphan Jane Eyre begins a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester�and, Reader, she marries him. Or does she? Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions, in which all is not as it seems, a certain gentleman is hiding more than skeletons in his closets, and one orphan Jane Eyre, aspiring author Charlotte Bronte, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member foggidawn
A madcap riff on Jane Eyre, involving a ghost hunting society and the Brontë siblings as characters in the story. If you're a Jane Eyre purist, you won't enjoy this, but if you approach it as a completely different story that borrows some character and place names, it's a fun romp. I listened to
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the audiobook, and it was mostly good, but there were a couple of places where I felt the narrator emphasized the wrong word in the sentence, which hindered comprehension. Still, overall, enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
While this team wrote My Lady Jane, aside from a slight nod to that novel, My Plain Jane is a standalone story. The hilarious retelling of Jane Eyre had me snickering from the dedication: For everyone who’s ever fallen for the wrong person, even though we agree that Mr. Darcy looks good on paper
It helps if you have read Jane Eyre, or at least the "Cliff Notes version," although one of the movies would work, too. There are a good number of references to other popular books and movies, although you don't have to have read them or seen them to enjoy the humor. If you catch it, then there's an extra giggle for you.
The addition of ghosts and the Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits moves this book from a simple retelling to a re-imagining of the story. Charlotte Bronte was perhaps my favorite character with her glasses and writer's notebook. I also liked Helen, mostly for saying what the reader should have been thinking at times. The editorial comments from the writers had me snickering. I strongly suggest that you not read the book while eating or drinking; I speak from experience!
If you liked My Lady Jane, I think you will like this book. If you liked Jane Eyre and aren't a purist about it, you will probably like this book. If you like historical humor or ghost fantasies, you will most likely enjoy the book. If you simply like well-written, humorous books, this should be your cup of tea.
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. . . and in a wet shirt. And for England (again). We’re really sorry for what we’re about to do to your literature.It helps if you have read Jane Eyre, or at least the "Cliff Notes version," although one of the movies would work, too. There are a good number of references to other popular books and movies, although you don't have to have read them or seen them to enjoy the humor. If you catch it, then there's an extra giggle for you.
The addition of ghosts and the Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits moves this book from a simple retelling to a re-imagining of the story. Charlotte Bronte was perhaps my favorite character with her glasses and writer's notebook. I also liked Helen, mostly for saying what the reader should have been thinking at times. The editorial comments from the writers had me snickering. I strongly suggest that you not read the book while eating or drinking; I speak from experience!
If you liked My Lady Jane, I think you will like this book. If you liked Jane Eyre and aren't a purist about it, you will probably like this book. If you like historical humor or ghost fantasies, you will most likely enjoy the book. If you simply like well-written, humorous books, this should be your cup of tea.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
The phrase “rollicking good time” is such an odd one, and yet it is the one phrase that comes to mind when thinking about My Plain Jane. For fans of the book Jane Eyre, from the opening paragraph, you know you are in for a treat. What follows is a story that when summarized looks to be crazy
To be sure, Ms. Hand, Ms. Ashton, and Ms. Meadows take a beloved classic novel and are a bit merciless in their mockery of it. Nothing about the original story is kept sacred or considered off-limits by the authors, something of which they use to their advantage. By all rights, this should upset the most diehard fan, and yet you cannot help but go with it. You can tell there is no malice in their mockery, and, in spite of pointing out even the most minute flaws in the story, you can tell they are themselves fans of Ms. Eyre. Plus, they do not limit themselves to just Jane’s story. Many Victorian customs face their own form of public roast as the authors use their twenty-first-century mindset to poke fun at old-fashioned ways of thinking. Thankfully, it is a good-natured ribbing rather than a brutal tearing apart of the story, the characters, and the setting.
There have been other spoofs of popular classics, but I do believe this is one of the first times the author of the said classic is also included in the spoof. As irreverent as the novel is, the inclusion of the Brontë family makes the story feel like an homage to this famous family and their works of literature if only because the love behind the comedy is so obvious. Plus, the entire story is so creative. The way in which the authors tie together Charlotte’s story with Jane’s and with the ghostly work of Alexander Blackwood is clever and well worth the read.
My Plain Jane is the type of novel worth reading when you need a good laugh. Fans especially will delight in the syntax of the novel and have fun catching all of the ways in which the authors make fun of the original story. In no way does it diminish your love of the original but rather allows you to set aside that love for some critical thinking about it in the guise of good-natured fun. For the younger crowd, this element of critical thinking is a valuable learning lesson, whether they realize they are receiving one or not. Therein lies the beauty of My Plain Jane. It is fun and funny with a real love for the characters and for the art of writing but obviously not meant to be taken seriously and yet with some insightful asides that allow modern readers to put into perspective some of the more troubling elements of Victorian social mores. Personally, I loved every second of this book and cannot wait to see what these three authors do next.
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– and not in a good way. Victorian ghostbusting, the Brontë family, and a fictional character “come to life” should not be in the same novel together after all. However, between the asides and the good-natured satire, it all works wonderfully well together to create what can only be described as a rollicking good time.To be sure, Ms. Hand, Ms. Ashton, and Ms. Meadows take a beloved classic novel and are a bit merciless in their mockery of it. Nothing about the original story is kept sacred or considered off-limits by the authors, something of which they use to their advantage. By all rights, this should upset the most diehard fan, and yet you cannot help but go with it. You can tell there is no malice in their mockery, and, in spite of pointing out even the most minute flaws in the story, you can tell they are themselves fans of Ms. Eyre. Plus, they do not limit themselves to just Jane’s story. Many Victorian customs face their own form of public roast as the authors use their twenty-first-century mindset to poke fun at old-fashioned ways of thinking. Thankfully, it is a good-natured ribbing rather than a brutal tearing apart of the story, the characters, and the setting.
There have been other spoofs of popular classics, but I do believe this is one of the first times the author of the said classic is also included in the spoof. As irreverent as the novel is, the inclusion of the Brontë family makes the story feel like an homage to this famous family and their works of literature if only because the love behind the comedy is so obvious. Plus, the entire story is so creative. The way in which the authors tie together Charlotte’s story with Jane’s and with the ghostly work of Alexander Blackwood is clever and well worth the read.
My Plain Jane is the type of novel worth reading when you need a good laugh. Fans especially will delight in the syntax of the novel and have fun catching all of the ways in which the authors make fun of the original story. In no way does it diminish your love of the original but rather allows you to set aside that love for some critical thinking about it in the guise of good-natured fun. For the younger crowd, this element of critical thinking is a valuable learning lesson, whether they realize they are receiving one or not. Therein lies the beauty of My Plain Jane. It is fun and funny with a real love for the characters and for the art of writing but obviously not meant to be taken seriously and yet with some insightful asides that allow modern readers to put into perspective some of the more troubling elements of Victorian social mores. Personally, I loved every second of this book and cannot wait to see what these three authors do next.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Taking the classic novel "Jane Eyre" and inserting ghosts and Charlotte Bronte into the story make this retelling a lot of fun. Jane can see ghosts and is heavily recruited to help "send them on" but she is having none of it. There is intrigue (ghosts possessing people to do nefarious things) and
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humor and even a bit of romance where least expected. Show Less
LibraryThing member oddandbookish
I received an ARC of this book for free as part of BookSparks’ YA Summer Reading Challenge.
I was so excited to read this book, but it ended up being not quite what I was expecting. I love Jane Eyre (it’s one of my favorite classics) and I expected a fun retelling. I kind of got that, but at the
Also I just want to throw it out there that I have never read My Lady Jane, so I can’t say how it compares to that book.
I enjoyed the Jane Eyre aspects of the book a lot. I loved seeing the new takes on classic Jane Eyre scenes and characters. Those were a lot of fun.
I also loved the commentary and the little pop culture references, especially the Mary Poppins nanny one in the beginning.
However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the ghost hunting storyline. It was a bit much and overtook most of the story. It could have been cut down.
The beginning was also a bit slow. It took a while for the story to really get going.
As for the characters, I liked having both Jane and Charlotte’s perspectives. But I really didn’t care much for Alexander. I was never that excited to read his parts.
Overall, I wanted less ghostbusters and more epic gothic romance.
I was so excited to read this book, but it ended up being not quite what I was expecting. I love Jane Eyre (it’s one of my favorite classics) and I expected a fun retelling. I kind of got that, but at the
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same time kind of didn’t.Also I just want to throw it out there that I have never read My Lady Jane, so I can’t say how it compares to that book.
I enjoyed the Jane Eyre aspects of the book a lot. I loved seeing the new takes on classic Jane Eyre scenes and characters. Those were a lot of fun.
I also loved the commentary and the little pop culture references, especially the Mary Poppins nanny one in the beginning.
However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the ghost hunting storyline. It was a bit much and overtook most of the story. It could have been cut down.
The beginning was also a bit slow. It took a while for the story to really get going.
As for the characters, I liked having both Jane and Charlotte’s perspectives. But I really didn’t care much for Alexander. I was never that excited to read his parts.
Overall, I wanted less ghostbusters and more epic gothic romance.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
This is the second book in the Lady Janies series and can be read as a stand alone. This was a bit long, but ended up being a fun Jane Eyre retelling. It's more inspired by Jane Eyre than a true retelling.
The story is told from 3 POV's (I am assuming each author took a character) and this makes
When Jane begins working at Thornfield Hall things are very odd, Rochester’s temperament is all over the place and there are strange noises from above. Little does Jane know that she has wandered into a dramatic ghost story.
The story is written in a very snarky tone and is very cute and funny. I enjoyed it. It does take awhile to get to Thornfield Hall and the story felt a bit drawn out at points. I also thought it ended really abruptly.
Overall this was a good retelling of Jane Eyre. It’s fun and easy to read if a bit drawn out. I would recommend to those who enjoy snarky retellings of classic literature involving ghosts.
The story is told from 3 POV's (I am assuming each author took a character) and this makes
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the story a bit long and breaks it up a bit but it worked okay. We hear from Jane, Charlotte Bronte (Jane’s best living friend), and Alexander (young ghost hunter).When Jane begins working at Thornfield Hall things are very odd, Rochester’s temperament is all over the place and there are strange noises from above. Little does Jane know that she has wandered into a dramatic ghost story.
The story is written in a very snarky tone and is very cute and funny. I enjoyed it. It does take awhile to get to Thornfield Hall and the story felt a bit drawn out at points. I also thought it ended really abruptly.
Overall this was a good retelling of Jane Eyre. It’s fun and easy to read if a bit drawn out. I would recommend to those who enjoy snarky retellings of classic literature involving ghosts.
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LibraryThing member ewyatt
Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte are at a pretty miserable school where the headmaster has recently been murdered. Jane can see ghosts, Charlotte is an aspiring writer, and both are wondering what they can do with their lives given the limited options afforded to them in this time period. Enter
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Alexander of the Society of Relocation of Wayward Spirits. Jane takes a governess position, meets Mr. Rochester, but things don't exactly go down like they did in her book. Allusions and wit abound in this entertaining read. Show Less
LibraryThing member KeriLynneD
I was so disappointed in this one, especially after I loved the first one so much. I think the main reason I didn't enjoy this one as much is the characters. They were all so annoying! Jane was just a naïve whiney little thing, I get that she was naïve due to her circumstance and the time period
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but Jane Gray in the first book was still very strong opinionated girl so that's no excuse. At one point another character describes Jane as very strong and independent which made me actually laugh out loud because it made no sense. That was also one of the very few times that the book made me laugh. The first was just so much funnier. Charlotte was also annoying. She continually stuck her nose into things she shouldn't be, completely selfish and just bratty. Sometimes that can be enduring for a character but there wasn't enough to like about her to make that bearable. I'll still read the next book when it comes out in hopes that it will be more like the first. Show Less
LibraryThing member Shahnareads
I really liked it.
I thought it was funny and silly and lovely.
Yay! Ghosts!
I thought it was funny and silly and lovely.
Yay! Ghosts!
LibraryThing member Jonez
3.0
I love Jane Eyre, and up to reading any sort of retelling of the story. I found this particular one to be entertaining enough, aside from the preoccupation with corsets. I think the book tried a bit too hard with the humor, and no character was really 3 dimensional (though these types of books
I love Jane Eyre, and up to reading any sort of retelling of the story. I found this particular one to be entertaining enough, aside from the preoccupation with corsets. I think the book tried a bit too hard with the humor, and no character was really 3 dimensional (though these types of books
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generally lack in that area). A solid 3 star read. However, I enjoyed the ghostly twist, as well as the writers pointing out what an ass Mr. Rochester is in Jane Eyre. Show Less
LibraryThing member samnreader
A funny quick read that had me laughing out loud at times.
But it just couldn't keep pace for my liking overall.
But it just couldn't keep pace for my liking overall.
LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I have a weakness for Jane Eyre and this humorous adaptation with a few ghosts added made for fun reading. The plot manages to incorporate key elements of the classic novel, but this novel is no retelling, but more of a reimagining. Very fun if you don't get hung up on the details!
LibraryThing member bangerlm
Delightful, suspenseful, adorable retelling of Jane Eyre. I highly recommend the audio version.
LibraryThing member Kiaya40
It was a very different and unique version of a Jane Eyre story. It was a humorous and light hearted, quick witted easy fun read.
I would recommend checking it out for a good, fun read 🙂.
I would recommend checking it out for a good, fun read 🙂.
Awards
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2019)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Fiction — 2018)
Tome Society It List (2020)
Language
Original publication date
2018-06-26
ISBN
9780062652799