38 pages • 1 hour read
The Wife Upstairs
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Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
Birmingham, Alabama • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 2021, Rachel Hawkins’s thriller The Wife Upstairs adapts Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre for the 21st century. Best known for Hex Hall, her trilogy of young adult paranormal romance novels, Hawkins tells the story of Jane Bell: a young woman with a traumatic, mysterious past who starts over in the affluent community of Thornfield Estates. Hawkins alternates the narrative perspective throughout the novel to build suspense and highlight the shared experiences of outsiders Jane, Eddie, and Bea. Through her relationships with Eddie and Bea Rochester, Jane confronts her past and learns the consequences of blind ambition. This book includes references to intimate partner violence, self-harm, and murder.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
302,412 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Rachel Hawkins’ The Wife Upstairs reimagines a classic Gothic tale with a modern Southern twist, offering a suspenseful and fast-paced narrative. Positive aspects include its engaging plot and well-drawn characters. However, some readers found the twists predictable and characters occasionally unlikable. Overall, it’s a gripping read for thriller enthusiasts.
Who Should Read The Wife Upstairs?
Readers who savor suspenseful modern retellings of classic literature will delight in Rachel Hawkins' The Wife Upstairs. With its Gothic atmosphere and twisty plot, it appeals to fans of Paula Hawkins' The Girl on the Train and Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl. Ideal for those who appreciate psychological thrillers with a nod to Jane Eyre.
302,412 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Eddie Rochester
Eddie Rochester
A successful contractor in Thornfield Estates who becomes quickly attached to Jane. He is a widower with a connection to both Jane and the community's underlying tensions.
Bea Rochester
Bea Rochester
A self-made mogul known for her creation of Southern Manors, whose past relationships significantly impact the dynamics within Thornfield Estates. Her complex connections play a pivotal role in the community's unfolding events.
400
Novel • Fiction
Birmingham, Alabama • Contemporary
2021
Adult
18+ years
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