R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1437 more book reviews
Wide Sargasso Sea is the author's most famous book featuring a character likened to Charlotte Bronteâs woman in the attic but this novel is based in the Caribbean. Rhys named the key character Antoinette Cosway. It is written with three sections: (1) Antoinette's childhood in Jamaica, (2) her husband's experiences in the Indies post-marriage, and (3) events back in England where she descends ever deeper into her mind and madness.
In part one the reader learns about Antoinette's childhood which occurs after the British abolished slavery in the West Indies. White people are primarily British, Blacks are former slaves and a the third group is mixed racially and is hated by the other groups. Like the author, Antoinette, is a mixture - Jamaican/European who belongs nowhere. As a white European, she grew up in Jamaica. When she tried to relate to the blacks she was ridiculed and ostracized. Try as she might she finds no acceptance in either group.
An arranged marriage with Englishman gives her hope for happiness and she falls in love with him. However, once kind and thoughtful, he becomes disillusioned and hardened, changed by the culture clash he encounters. With the loss of what she hoped would be a place to belong, Antoinette, like her mother gradually becomes insane.
Since I have not read Jane Eyre, I cannot comment on the similarities between the novels so that I view it alone. It is an emotionally difficult novel to read. One cannot help but sympathize with this young, beautiful lost young woman. Although its length is short this is a tragic story that one cannot easily forget. Like others, I plan to read it again. It's that memorable.
In part one the reader learns about Antoinette's childhood which occurs after the British abolished slavery in the West Indies. White people are primarily British, Blacks are former slaves and a the third group is mixed racially and is hated by the other groups. Like the author, Antoinette, is a mixture - Jamaican/European who belongs nowhere. As a white European, she grew up in Jamaica. When she tried to relate to the blacks she was ridiculed and ostracized. Try as she might she finds no acceptance in either group.
An arranged marriage with Englishman gives her hope for happiness and she falls in love with him. However, once kind and thoughtful, he becomes disillusioned and hardened, changed by the culture clash he encounters. With the loss of what she hoped would be a place to belong, Antoinette, like her mother gradually becomes insane.
Since I have not read Jane Eyre, I cannot comment on the similarities between the novels so that I view it alone. It is an emotionally difficult novel to read. One cannot help but sympathize with this young, beautiful lost young woman. Although its length is short this is a tragic story that one cannot easily forget. Like others, I plan to read it again. It's that memorable.
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