Out of pure coincidence, I read Jane Eyre for the first time shortly before receiving this book for review. I fell quite hard for Jane's story, so I was tremendously excited to start this collection of short stories inspired by her. The forward by Tracy Chevalier gives an excellent introduction to Jane Eyre and the collection, discussing why readers have so long loved the book. One of the most important notes in the forward is that this collection is not a series of short retellings of Jane Eyre. Some stories are extensions or reimagings of the tale, but many, if not most, focus on a shared theme, concept, or symbol.

The first story, "My Mother's Wedding" by Tessa Hadley, is delightfully unusual. The setting is nearly the exact opposite of Jane's time. Here we have a sort of cult with the whole package: drugs, nudity, dancing, and strange relations. However, the inspiration of a woman choosing her own path is clear.

My favorite story is "Grace Poole Her Testimony" by Helen Dunmore. This story gets inside Grace Poole's head, the woman who worked for Mr. Rochester. Dunmore imagines Grace Poole as Mr. Rochester's previous lover, before Jane Eyre ever arrived. Dunmore's version fits with the original so well that it made me wonder what Charlotte Bronte herself would think. Another story I favor also dives into the original story more than others: "The Mirror" by Francine Prose. This short is an extension of the original from Jane's perspective, which will likely satisfy readers who never trusted Mr. Rochester. Readers get a glimpse of what may have happened after the marriage, and whether Jane was as unique to Mr. Rochester as he said or if she was another wife doomed to a dark fate.

Other stories take a hard look at the institution of marriage itself, in both positive and negative lights. "To Hold" by Joanna Briscoe is a heartbreaking tale of a woman who marries several times because she can't be with the woman she loves. It shows different ways in which relationships work, and the different reasons a person may have for getting married.

Those who love Jane Eyre will find their imaginations sparked again and again with READER, I MARRIED HIM. For those who didn't love it or have not read it, there are still sure to be stories of high entertainment that offer themes to enjoy or different perspectives on characters they may not have liked.

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