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“Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys
While doing some research on fan fiction, I came upon a comment that while it is widely derided as non-literary work, there does exist recognized literary writing that is, in essence, fan fiction. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys was one of these examples.
The story is that of Antoinette Cosway, also known as Bertha Mason. If you think you’ve heard that name before, Bertha is the mad wife in the attic from Jane Eyre. Rhys tells Antoinette’s story from her childhood in Jamaica to her hasty marriage to an unnamed Englishman and finally to her days as the mad wife in the attic in England.
The novel is remarkable on two accounts. One is how Rhys took Bertha out of Jane Eyre, such a neglected character in that story, and gave her a history and homeland. The sense of place is very strong–Jamaica is a beautiful yet sinister presence through the first parts of the story. The other noteworthy aspect of this book is the writing style; it is overwhelmingly sensual on every level–the colors, smells, sights, sounds.
Mostly the book makes you think. I followed a fine discussion of it on the C19 Forum and was in accord with many of the others who now wonder what to think of Rochester. Can I now read Jane Eyre without remembering his horrid behavior in Wide Sargasso Sea? And the mad wife–there is little or no sadness for her in Jane Eyre, yet reading her story in Wide Sargasso Sea is like reading a string of sad events that culminates in her tragic appearance in Jane Eyre. I can’t say that I related to Rhys’ characters or story, being so different from my own life experiences. However the story is compelling simply for its originality of content and style. It is a beautifully and sensually told story of a descent into madness–a madness that was hushed up for so long and is finally able fly free.
Wide Sargasso Sea is available at Amazon
Discussion
4 comments for ““Wide Sargasso Sea” by Jean Rhys”
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Hi! You’ve been randomly tagged by the NaBloPoMo randomizer for a meme about 7 weird/random things about you! Enjoy!
I am glad I found your blog and have bookmarked it. We read this book in my book group many years ago, and we had one of the best and most engaged discussions of our time together.
Peace,
Stacy (Mama-Om)
wow, must think about that one…especially what people reading this blog would care to hear!
thanks for the comment. yes, i can see the book would cause some interesting discussions. it may not be one of my favorite books, but makes you think nonetheless, and in that i think it accomplished something.
Thank you for posting your thoughts on the novel. I just want to ask about the aspect of sensuality. Do you think that in relevance to the setting it is used to describe the filthiness of Antoinette. I mean ‘filthy’ in the amoral and unworthy of Rochester sense. I don’t understand the perception of sensuality in the novel: the wildlife is sexy, in the morning Antoinette is dull but at night she is sexy. That is essentially the bond between her and her husband…her sensuality dying in her way not his. Sorry i think it was more of a discussion starter and not a question.
Hi Reem, thanks for your comments. Sensuality is definitely a large part of the novel. It’s in the writing style, in the landscape, it hums through most of the dialog, particularly with Rochester. Perhaps he was intoxicated with it, and it drove him mad as well as Antoinette. Faced with the prospect of bringing such a sensual (read: amoral) creature back to England, he would rather lock her in the attic than expose her to society. As least that’s the way I see it!