Mr. Rochester

By: Sarah Shoemaker

Narrated by: Simon Shepherd

Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Reader, she married me."

For 170 years Edward Fairfax Rochester has stood as one of literature's most romantic, most complex, and most mysterious heroes. Sometimes haughty, sometimes tender - professing his love for Jane Eyre in one breath and denying it in the next - Mr. Rochester has for generations mesmerized, beguiled, and, yes, baffled fans of Charlotte Brontë's masterpiece. But his own story has never been told.

Now, out of Sarah Shoemaker's rich and vibrant imagination springs Edward: a vulnerable, brilliant, complicated man whom we first meet as a motherless, lonely little boy roaming the corridors and stable yards of Thornfield Hall. On the morning of Edward's eighth birthday, his father issues a decree: He is to be sent away to get an education, exiled from Thornfield and all he ever loved. As the determined young Edward begins his journey across England, making friends and enemies along the way, a series of eccentric mentors teach him more than he might have wished about the ways of the men - and women - who will someday be his peers.

But much as he longs to be accepted - and to return to the home where he was born - his father has made clear that Thornfield is reserved for his older brother, Rowland, and that Edward's inheritance lies instead on the warm, languid shores of faraway Jamaica. That island, however, holds secrets of its own, and not long after his arrival, Edward finds himself entangled in morally dubious business dealings and a passionate, whirlwind love affair with the town's ravishing heiress, Antoinetta Bertha Mason.

Eventually, after a devastating betrayal, Edward must return to England with his increasingly unstable wife to take over as master of Thornfield. And it is there, on a twilight ride, that he meets the stubborn, plain young governess who will teach him how to love again.

It is impossible not to watch enthralled as this tender-hearted child grows into the tormented hero Brontë immortalized - and as Jane surprises them both by stealing his heart. Mr. Rochester is a great, sweeping classic coming-of-age story and a stirring tale of adventure, romance, and deceit. Faithful in every particular to Brontë's original yet full of unexpected twists and riveting behind-the-scenes drama, this novel will completely, deliciously, and forever change how we listen to and remember Jane Eyre.

©2017 Sarah Shoemaker (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Shoemaker's detailed writing will transport readers to a bygone age of romance and heartbreak." ( Publishers Weekly)

"A winner! Even if you never read Jane Eyre, you would still find Mr. Edward Fairfax Rochester fascinating and hang on every word of his extraordinary story, told in perfect 19th-century language. A richly rewarding read." (Margaret George, New York Times best-selling author of Elizabeth I: A Novel and The Confessions of Young Nero)

"With flair and heart, Mr. Rochester tells the story that legions of Jane Eyre fans have been waiting more than a century to hear. Sarah Shoemaker's impressive novel takes readers into the mind of one of literature's most vexing and compelling romantic heroes and paints a nuanced portrait of a man torn between responsibility and passion. Packed with historical detail and a fresh look at a classic story, Mr. Rochester is a page-turning delight." (Tara Conklin, New York Times best-selling author of The House Girl)

Love hearing a different perspective

With so many Pride and Prejudice variations out there, it is great to have a little variety! I loved getting Rochester's perspective, though I must admit that I had a hard time hearing his voice at times. I missed his double meanings and sarcasm. the whole backstory was so beautifully woven. my biggest lament in the tale was Rochester's nephew, as I think that he took some of the gravity of Rochester's decision to propose away, giving him a moral out.
overall, I recommend this book, and would purchase another written by this author.

LOVE

what a brilliant narrator! I loved this story.. getting to know his experiences and how they shaped him in such quiet ways..the ending in love..the way he never lost ultimate faith in his value.. ah just.. LOVE!

Almost Great

I would have given it another star if it did not say the f word

Sadly disappointed

This was not as I’d hoped. It was not written in nor did it play up to the wittiness, humor, or undeniable love between Mr. Rochester and Jane. I find myself laughing many times at their conversations throughout Jane Eyre. Even more so I find myself so full of love, awe, despair, but I never felt that throughout this book. Instead I felt I was constantly waiting for more only to be disappointed.

My Fave Audible Ever!!

Don’t miss this brilliant story. If you read and loved Jane Eyre this is an absolute must-listen!! If you didn’t, this is still a wonderful book to love and enjoy. One of the best audiobook listens ever. Bravo to Sarah Shoemaker the writer and Simon Shepard the Narrator...both perfection!!

Wonderful book and narration!

I really liked this book so much for many reasons. The story itself was captivating, charming, well-written, and made me want to listen to as much as possible at once. It’s like the effect of that first season of Downton Abbey, and you can’t wait to see what happens next! The narrator also had the perfect voice for this book which added to the overall warm-fuzzy feeling of listening to it. I found it both refreshing and comforting to keep coming back to, until it was at last finished. I hope it becomes a mini series!

Great Fan of Charlotte Brontë... great book!!!

If you are a fan of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, you must read this book... it gives you the complete back story of Mr. Edward Rochester prior to meeting Jane and is a really good book. Well written story and very good narration. I really loved it.

I liked the voice

I liked the voice both of the author and narrator. It fell only slightly short of feeling as if Bronte wrote it herself.

Rochester

The author captured the writing style of Bronte very well, but lacked the passion of Jane Eyre. It was a believable “autobiography” of Mr. Rochester and recommend.

Great story of Mr Rochester

I loved this book. It was well written. I gave the performance 4stars just because I thought Rochesters voice should've been lower, but it was not too much of a hindrance.