The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (2021)
A modern reimagining of Jane Eyre including character names and other references.
Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars
Plot: Jane lands a gig walking dogs for the rich residents of Thornfield Estates. The wealthy residents of the suburb don’t even notice that sometimes an earring may go missing or that Jane is trying to hide something from her past. When Jane meets Eddie Rochester, a young (and handsome) widow, Jane thinks she has found her ticket out of dog walking for good. Yet Jane can’t seem to escape the shadow of his wife, Bea, a beautiful and successful businesswoman whose death has left some unanswered questions.
Analysis: The character of Jane is matter-of-fact in her disdain for the wealthy people she works for, yet she longs to become part of their world. Her inner monologue was interesting and honest, hinting at her past while keeping the reader guessing about details. I liked the alternating perspectives of the novel, which gave insight into the minds of other characters.
This book reminded me of The Last Mrs. Parrish, Rebecca, or Verity, with its examination of a seemingly perfect marriage. Fans of those books would definitely enjoy The Wife Upstairs, as would fans of thrillers in general.
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