I was always laughing… this felt sparse in ‘ My Plain Jane.’ In comparison to ‘ My Lady Jane’ where we got frequent asides to the reader, plenty of slapstick. So too was the humour spread out much more. The pacing felt slower in ‘ My Plain Jane,’ I put this book down a number of times for rests.

We get a few nods to the original text, as well as a mention of the main characters from ‘ My Lady Jane’ which I found delightful. The ghosts and their mythology were a great addition to this tome and I wish there was a sequel following these characters.

I’d love her running the narration or giving opinion of what is going on. Helen, the sassy 14 year old ghost and best friend of Jane Eyre has to be my favourite character from the book. And Alexander, an agent of the Society for the Relocation of Wayward Spirits of which he tries to recruit Jane for her ability to communicate (and see) ghosts. We do see a bit of jealousy, or sibling rivalry pop up between these two. The kind of always on the go perfectionist and Janes best friend. The otherworldly spectres see Jane as beautiful and compelling. Everyone describes her as average, forgettable. Jane can see ghosts and has a passion for writing. The story is told from three perspectives, that of Jane, Charlotte and Alexander. I especially remember when Charlotte Bronte disguised herself as a footman and marvels how comfortable being dressed as a man is, and wonders why they aren’t sleeping all the time.

Historical mannerisms and social etiquette also add a comedic touch. While the authors are great at world building, the stand out aspect of ‘ My Plain Jane’ is the complexity of the characters and their development. Expect surprises, with ‘ My Plain Jane’ but also mirroring the same tone to the original text this novel is inspired by. I did find the characters interesting and compelling, and the plot equally twisty and turny. 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 Brontë, and supernatural investigator Alexander Blackwood are about to be drawn together on the most epic ghost hunt this side of Wuthering Heights.Īnother hilarious ride through a re-imagined classic from authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. Despite their significant age gap (!) and his uneven temper (!!), they fall in love-and, Reader, she marries him. After a miserable childhood, penniless orphan Jane Eyre embarks on a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall. Another supernatural twist on a classic tale…

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand