What are you reading?
After looking in some book stores (and not finding it), I ordered a hard copy online. Very good book. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had not read Jane Eyre first. I kind of liked Rochester in that book where he was more a victim of circumstances beyond his control and is not stuck with a crazy wife. In WSS, he at least partially creates the being that is Bertha.
I don't like it when characters I like turn out to be lesser than previously depicted. For instance, I have not, and will not read Go Set a Watchman. From the reviews I have read, Atticus is substantially lessened in this book. He is one of my all-time favorite characters. I won't have him diminished by what I consider a rough draft of the character.
Yes, it changes the perspective of Rochester. But that's also sort of why I liked it - it put into stark relief the reality that he had his wife locked away in an attack for decades. You don't get to that point by being pure of heart. Jane Eyre presents in such a way that it seems he had limited options, and perhaps he did.
But among the beautiful things about WSS is that it broadens those options to include a series of places along the way things could have been different and didn't exclusively restrict Rochester to victim.
My favorite thing, though, about the narration is how hauntingly sad and beautiful Antoinette is as a character. The setting/backdrop is gothically natural and foreboding, while being stunning to look at. But the colors and the temperature were all too much. it becomes stifling. And Anotinette becomes a wretchedly pitiable figure and her desperation jumps off the page.
I don't know if there is another character in anything I've read that made me feel sorrier for him/her.
As for what I'm reading - just started Station Eleven. It's a look at the world after a fever wipes out 99.95% of the population and the US is an apocalyptic wasteland, and it follows a Traveling Symphony trying to preserve music and literature (esp Shakespeare) in this world.
I'm only about 50 pages in, but it's been gripping.
One of my colleagues is a novelist and she recommended it glowingly - the last time she recommended something (Wonder - by the same author of Room), I loved it. Still early, but really good so far.
And, I'm also re-reading Grendel.
Similar to WSS and Jane Eyre, Grendel tells the story of his life and encounter with Beowulf from his perspective, rather than Beowulf's. Another imminently pitiable character.
A pretty quick and easy read too.