Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys

Jean Rhys completed this book at the age of 74 and in 2019 bbc included it in their 100 most influential books list. My new hero.

The book is fantastic and truly relevant in today‘s climate, one could write a thesis and many have written books about the story itself, the author and her life.

Jean in the introduction reluctantly talks about her strong need to respond to Bronte’s Jane Eyre that led her to writing this book. Jean, who shares the first Mrs. Rochester’s roots felt compelled to defend the ‘mad’ first wife (who is a creole heiress) and help explain (through her own and others experiences) the ‘why’. She decided to explain a character who needed a voice. But Jean’s book did not gain its place until feminism and colonialism took centre stage - the intersectionality of it was what made people sit up and realise the power of the story. Antoinette (the first Mrs.Rochester) is caught between Europe and the her land of birth, Jamaica - rejected by the people from both the lands and misunderstood by her highly self centred, brooding (for he has nothing else to do), close minded husband. He was disinterested in knowing her before he got married and was surprised when he realised that she came with complexities, seriously?

I loved it, a riveting writer and a beautifully described tale.

Not much words but the layers of depth that Antoinette is drowning in is inescapable - it’s the time of emancipation, she is born to a family that had slaves, living on the islands (Jamaica), mother loses her mind when their home is burned down and the younger son dies. Antoinette gets shunted to a nunnery, never sees her mother again and is married off to Rochester, who according to the law inherits all her money, automatically. Of course.

The trauma of her childhood and teenage hood and with no respite and no one to talk to - her internal dialogue consumes her. Rochester as the brooding (many women I know still swoon) man is not equipped to handle her in any capacity. He is grappling with having being ‘sold’ by his father and brother to the rich ‘unstable’ woman-child. They both are victims of the time and circumstance but only Rochester is allowed sympathy and a chance at love.

Antoinette drowns and burns at the same time.

The insanising (mad woman in the attic) of Antoinette is to the degree that justifies a Jane Eyre stepping in - she is not normal and therefore needs replacement. The time that Bronte wrote this book, pretty much all women were all about marriage - whereas Antoinette actually rejects Rochester (all the men convince her and shut down her aunt who wants her not to marry). She also tries to leave him during the marriage (at the urging of her childhood caregiver, Christophine - a slave with a clear sense of independence, the next book should be on her. She says, ‘I thank my god. I keep my money. I don’t give it to no worthless man.’)

Jean Rhys' own story is reflected in bits and pieces of Antoinette’s life. She lived on her terms and died famous and almost penniless. The book is death to patriarchy by a thousand cuts. it just keeps coming at you. Sadly, no one was listening intently, I think many still don’t.

I am so glad I read it. It helped me understand why I couldn’t bring myself to like Jane Eyre beyond its obvious brilliant writing. Bronte and Rhys through their own perspectives paved the way to be where we are now - better than before but not quite there yet.