Wide Sargasso Sea Paperback – 26 April 2001

I read this book years ago and crossed the Sargasso Sea on my way to Mexico this year, I got excited about being in the Caribbean Sea and so bought the book for my sons girlfriend as a reminder of the holiday. It’s a very evocative book.

WIDE SARGASSO SEA is the 'prequel' to "Jane Eyre". Through this short novel, Jean Rhys has given a voice to the mad woman in Rochester's attic; his first wife.The book has three parts and each part sees a different narrator. Part one takes place during Antoinette's childhood and it is she who narrates. Part two takes place just after Rochester and Antoinette marry and it is Rochester who narrates. Then finally part three, which takes place in England. Antoinette is now within the attic of Thornfield Hall. At the beginning of part three, we hear briefly from Grace Poole, Antoinette's guard, we then hear the remainder from Antoinette herself.Personally, this short novel really came to life during parts two and three. I found it interesting that during part two - following the marriage of Antoinette and Rochester - we hear the story from his point of view. Rhys wrote this novel to give the mad woman in the attic a voice, yet here she takes it away again to a certain degree. Although this is not meant as a criticism on my part, it is interesting to ponder why.However depsite all this, WIDE SARGASSO SEA is a beautiful, fraught novel of love, obsession, death, folklore and madness. There are many layers to this little book and many themes - for example, there is a recurrent theme of dreams and mirrors. Rhys is also an expert at not only creating very believeable characters but also at bringing the location to life. The way that she describes the forest, through the eyes of Rochester, really helps you to understand just how hostile he finds the foreign place he is living in with his new bride.I loved this book. Regardless of whether you have read "Jane Eyre" or not, there is much to enjoy here. I'm really looking forward to discussing it with my bookclub.Oh, and a final comment on this particular edition - I highly recommend it. I read this book in preparation for a bookclub; the introduction, explanatory notes etc, were very informative. And, as each page has small line numbers next to the text, the commentary does not have to get in the way of your reading experience - if you want the explanation, you just turn to the back of the novel and find the relevant note.

The lunatic in the attic, comes to life. I read 'Jane Eyre' first. Then discovered 'Wide Sargasso Sea' after. I'm glad I read it. I found the book a good read in it's own right. Personally I think it better to read 'Jane Eyre ' first. But still this book is a classic in my humble opinion as a stand alone. Again though, the two books are linked and I believe I enjoyed this one all the more as a sequel.

Brilliant

Personally didn't find this book greatObviously down to personal taste

This is a very interesting read. It helps to know a little about Jane Eyre first, as Rhys's book is like a prequel, but its not essential as this story is pretty self-contained. It follows the story of Antionette's difficult childhood and coming-of-age (prior to becoming Bertha Mason, Rochesters first wife in Jane Eyre). The language is sometimes difficult to follow and the events are sometimes upsetting, but it's definitely worth a read.If you are particularly interested in the character of Bertha Mason/Antionette, Madwoman in the Attic is also a good non-fiction read.

Well it,s a book so strangely enough I used this product for reading.

Great back story to Jane Eyre.

Reading entertainment. Sequel to one of my favorite books: Jane Eyre.

My wife was all "Will you order this book for me?" and I was like "You betcha." So I ordered it. It has a very nice cover. Good job Jean Rhys!

PiccoloLeggeroBellissima storiaSpecialmente se uno ha letto Jane Eyre

Although I was reluctant ordering the piece as few said the packaging is bad , the pages are torn. Well for a reader torn pages are nightmare , but made the order as Amazon has been an anwesome place and I trust their services. The novel is a work which surely Jane should have read , being a voracious reader. Knowing the story of Bertha , she would never have hallucinated Mr.Rochestor's voice . A novel much needed to make sure you understand the true situations. A gem. 💮 Thank you Amazon and Jean Rhyss.

Livro sensacional.