The Flight of Gemma Hardy
Release date: 2012 / 480 pages
Synopsis(from Amazon): Taken from her native Iceland to Scotland in the early 1950s when her widower father drowns at sea, young Gemma Hardy comes to live with her kindly uncle and his family. But his death leaves Gemma under the care of her resentful aunt, and she suddenly finds herself an unwelcome guest. Surviving oppressive years at a strict private school, Gemma ultimately finds a job as an au pair to the eight-year-old niece of Mr. Sinclair on the Orkney Islands—and here, at the mysterious and remote Blackbird Hall, Gemma’s greatest trial begins…
Review: When I heard a “revisioning” of Jane Eyre was out, I was trepidacious. I first read Bronte’s classic for pleasure as an adolescent, then on assignment (multiple times) as an undergraduate and for my Master’s program, and eventually taught it to Advanced Placement Literature students. I can safely state that I am more familiar with Jane Eyre than with any other novel — and I somehow loved it a little bit more each time I read or taught it. So, I was afraid any reinterpretation would be woefully deficient and I would be forced to charge any contemporary author who attempted this with hubris.
However, I loved Gemma Hardy! This novel is not only a testament to Bronte’s original genius — exemplifying that her original narrative transcends time, culture, country and taste — but Livesey has also created a wonderfully original heroine in Gemma who is able to stand on her own two plucky feet. Livesey was wise to choose the time period of the 1950′s and add Iceland to the heroine’s search for identity — these two changes are different enough to allow the reader to enjoy the story for its own merits and not merely compare the two tales.
But there are enough parallels to allow happy reminiscing of Jane Eyre, too — and Livesey keeps the qualities we love about Jane alive in Gemma — her intelligence and spirit. So I happily, surprisingly, wholeheartedly recommend this novel. It would be a joy for a book club to discuss in tandem with Jane Eyre, but would stand alone as a great read on its own merits, too.
Interested in winning a free copy? Leave me a comment below and I’ll choose a winner soon!
Here are the other stops on the tour, too:
Tuesday, June 26th: The Lost Entwife
Wednesday, June 27th: Peeking Between the Pages
Thursday, June 28th: The Feminist Texican [Reads]
Friday, June 29th: Book Reviews, Fiction Reflections, ‘ More!
Monday, July 2nd: Twisting the Lens
Tuesday, July 3rd: Walking With Nora
Wednesday, July 4th: Bibliosue
Thursday, July 5th: Bibliophiliac
Monday, July 9th: Life in the Thumb
Tuesday, July 10th: Book Club Classics!
Wednesday, July 11th: Laura’s Reviews
Thursday, July 12th: Broken Teepee
Tuesday, July 17th: The 3 R’s: Reading, ‘Riting, and Randomness
Wednesday, July 18th: My Bookshelf
Thursday, July 19th: Lit and Life
The last few reviews I’ve read for this one have been great, so I’m adding it to my TBR pile so winning one would be great!
Thanks for the review!
Love the review. A book to read for sure. Thank you. Really would love to read this one.
Loved Jane Eyre! This book is also on my TBR list, which grows daily! I love how you decorated the website, thank you for this opportunity to win
Ellen
Would love to win a copy of this book! I loved “Jane Eyre” and would really like to read the “revision”.
This is on my TBR pile as well! Great review-thank you!
I loved your review. Sounds like a book I’d be very interested in. I love that it is set in the 1950″s. Please enter me. Thanks!
Would really like to dive into this one! Jane Eyre one of my all time favorites. Would love to read a fresh new twist. Claire
It would be interesting to examine the similarities and differences between the two books. I also agree that the inclusion of Iceland as one of the locales and setting the book in the 1950s make it even more intriguing. Please enter my name for the chance to win this copy. Thanks.
A wonderful novel and great review. thanks for this giveaway.
the setting and the era appeal to me greatly. Review was interesting.
I enjoy this type of story and the locale sounds captivating.
I have this one on my wishlist!!
This sounds like a wonderful book. Jane Eyre is one of my very favorites so I’m looking forward to reading The Flight of Gemma Hardy. Thanks for the giveaway!
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
Have heard great things about this book and would love to win it!
That looks like a good book.
Would love to read this book, Please enter me in the Giveaway! Thank you!
Oh dear, Kristen, I am hoping to win this one (raised in the wonderful 50s) after I was enticed to enter after reading your review. (I do feel guilty tho because I won last time) Thank you, Peg
I’m almost ashamed to admit that I don’t think I’ve ever read Jane Eyre. And yet I have had this book on my Wish List since I first learned of it.
I am so excited to read this book after all the great things I’ve been seeing about it!
Thanks for being on the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.
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