The Wife Upstairs is a modernization of Jane Eyre and has a lot of twists and turns. Check out my review of The Wife Upstairs – this review is spoiler free but I’ll also have a link to my secret spoiler discussion page – come on over!
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. To be published by St. Martin’s Press on January 5, 2021. I received an advance reader copy of this book for review.
Synopsis of The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane walks dogs in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the jewelry of her well-heeled clients. But Jane’s luck changes when she meets Eddie, Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for. As Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea. Can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her?
Review of The Wife Upstairs
I love Jane Eyre and love gothic fiction so I was super excited to see that this was a Jane Eyre retelling. And I think The Wife Upstairs was a great reimagining of the original story. It was very loyal to the main parts of the s while putting a unique and modern spin on it.
All the book’s main characters — Eddie, Jane and Bea — were complicated and a bit unlikeable. All of them were striving for some measure of emotional and financial security and willing to use others to attain it.
I liked the way that the book peeked inside the lives of the residents of Thornhill Estates to show what was behind the cheery facade of charity benefits and fancy cars. Bea’s company was also a Kate Spade/ Draper James kind of business that traded on quippy slogans embroidered on tote bags.
The story of what exactly happened to Blanche was interesting and we heard versions told by several different characters. Who was telling the truth? Who was using whom?
The Wife Upstairs had steady suspense and several fun twists. The ending wasn’t exactly what I expected, which I loved.
Definitely try this if you’re a Jane Eyre fan or love psychological suspense!
Have you read The Wife Upstairs and are looking for spoilers? Have questions about something? Come on over to my Spoilers and Plot Summary for The Wife Upstairs!
I’ve been seeing this book around and so I’m quite intrigued. It’s reassuring to know that you liked this. I never finished Jane Eyre (although I plan to do that at some point) but I’m still interested to give this a go.
You don’t need to have read Jane Eyre to enjoy this!
I didn’t realize this was Jane Eyre retelling, it sounds fun!
Me either and I was so happy that it was!
Yes, it’s a modernized retelling of Jane Eyre. Jane Eyre is my favorite novel of all time. I was very excited to read this book. However, it is a separate novel. You can enjoy it, without having read the classic novel.
Yay – so happy to find other Jane Eyre fans! I agree – you definitely don’t need to have read the original.
I’ve never read Jane Eyre but I remember reading the blurb and recognizing the premise anyway, or maybe I saw a review that drew the parallels. anyway sounds good, I love a suspenseful read. 🙂
It took me forever to realize this was a retelling of Jane Eyre!
I’m glad that you enjoyed this book! I’m glad that I stumbled upon your review because I had no idea that Rachel Hawkins had written other books! I’m only familiar with Hawkins’s Hex Hall series from high school. I love the sound of a Jane Eyre retelling, though, especially with a focus on unlikeable and morally grey characters.
claire @ <a href=”http://www.clairefyblog.com”>clairefy</a>
Yes, she wrote a couple of other YA series too. I think this is her first adult book and I liked that she brought her trademark humor in too. I didn’t really emphasize that in the review – there’s a bit of satire in her portrayal of the women in the neighborhood.
I am in the same boat as you with liking Jane Eyre (although it’s been so many years since I read it. A decade?) and loving gothic fiction! And this one sounds like a healthy balance of original material and something new which makes for the perfect reimagining and story!
Yes, exactly. If you love Jane Eyre I hope you try it!