66 pages • 2 hours read
Wide Sargasso Sea
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Book Brief
176
Novel • Fiction
Jamaica • 1830s
1966
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys follows Antoinette Cosway, a white Creole woman in post-Emancipation Jamaica, who experiences family tragedy and personal instability, eventually marrying an Englishman who grows cold towards her. As their relationship deteriorates, Antoinette's mental health declines, leading to her confinement in an attic in England, echoing the story of Bertha Mason from Jane Eyre. The novel addresses sensitive topics such as racial tension, mental illness, and domestic conflict.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Dark
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
99,148 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea is lauded for its lyrical prose and exploration of postcolonial themes, offering a poignant prequel to Jane Eyre. Critics praise its atmospheric setting and complex characters, especially its in-depth portrayal of Antoinette. However, some find its fragmented narrative challenging and its pace uneven. Overall, it's revered for its evocative storytelling and thematic depth.
Who Should Read Wide Sargasso Sea?
A reader who enjoys Wide Sargasso Sea would appreciate Gothic literature with a postcolonial twist, feminist themes, and a reimagining of classic works. Fans of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Beloved by Toni Morrison, and The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter will find the novel compelling and thought-provoking.
99,148 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
176
Novel • Fiction
Jamaica • 1830s
1966
Adult
18+ years
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