Jane & Edward

Description

This powerful reimagining of Jane Eyre, set in a modern-day law firm, is full of romance and hope as it follows the echoing heartbeats of the classic story.

A former foster kid, Jane has led a solitary life as a waitress in the suburbs, working hard to get by. Tired of years of barely scraping together a living, Jane takes classes to become a legal assistant and shortly after graduating accepts a job offer at a distinguished law firm in downtown Toronto. Everyone at the firm thinks she is destined for failure because her boss is the notoriously difficult Edward Rosen, the majority stakeholder of Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. But Jane has known far worse trials and refuses to back down when economic freedom is so close at hand.
 
Edward has never been able to keep an assistant—he’s too loud, too messy, too ill-tempered. There’s something about the quietly competent, delightfully sharp-witted Jane that intrigues him though. As their orbits overlap, their feelings begin to develop—first comes fondness and then something more. But when Edward’s secrets put Jane’s independence in jeopardy, she must face long-ignored ghosts from her past and decide if opening her heart is a risk worth taking.”A charming and delightful debut. In this dazzling modern reimagining of Jane Eyre, Melodie Edwards seamlessly balances depth with smart and witty dialogue and straight-up laugh-out-loud moments. Whether or not you’re familiar with the original Jane Eyre, you will be a fan of Jane and Edward and root for their happily ever after.” 
—Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV  Melodie Edwards has a BA from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree from McMaster University and Syracuse University (2023), studied comedy writing at the Second City Training Centre, and works in communications. Jane & Edward is her first novel.Reader’s Guide
Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards
Discussion Questions:

1.   Knowing Jane and Edward is a modern reimagining of Jane Eyre, what similarities and differences to Charlotte Brontë’s novel did you find intriguing? What contemporary updates did you appreciate? Why do you think the author decided to set most of the novel at Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP? How is the high-end law firm like Thornfield Hall? How are the modern Jane and Edward like the original Jane and Edward and how are they different?

2.   Jane has been waitressing for several years and seems to have normalized its highs and lows. She has learned to “fit in” to that life. Mandi chatting with her friend cannot be the first time Jane has heard someone talk about routes to postsecondary education. So why does it spur her to action now?

3.   Jane is understandably risk averse, and yet she makes many brave decisions throughout the novel. What do you think drives her courageous behavior and her resolve to change her life no matter how intimidated she is? What qualities does she possess that make her successful? Think about a time when you took a big risk or a leap of faith in yourself. What factors were you considering and what prompted you to “go for it”?

4.   Why is Jane capable of working with Edward when so many of his previous assistants have left?

5.   Why does Jane slowly redecorate her apartment?

6.   Education, wealth, and social status might be obvious barriers for Jane and Edward’s romance, but what do they have in common that forms and strengthens their bond?

7.   In so many ways Daniel Holland, PhD Lit Oxford, is pretty dreamy, yet Jane finds him unsuitable. Why? What’s wrong about Daniel?

8.   Jane’s efficacy and advocacy for herself are unshakable when she confronts Edward but much more so when confronting the dean. What’s changed in her since enduring or dodging the creepy table nine guy at the diner?

9.   We talk a lot about how relationships must grow and strengthen over time, but perhaps not enough about how partners must make space to grow and thrive as individuals. How do Jane and Edward change as individuals throughout the novel? How do they help each other to thrive?US