Read This!: The Flight of Gemma Hardy

By Margot Livesey

Book challenge: Derived from another book 

****Review contains spoilers on TFofGH and Jane Eyre

I read about this book a while ago and thought it could be good for the challenge as it is a retelling of the story Jane Eyre. 

Like Jane Eyre, Gemma Hardy is an orphan living with her widowed aunt and eventually sent to a school where her life is miserable.  At around age 18, Gemma leaves the school to become an au pair to a young girl.  She meets and falls in love with her employer only to find out he has a terrible secret revealed on their wedding day.  She flees and sets up life for herself under an assumed name.  Does she eventually find happiness?  I won't tell.

Because this is based on Jane Eyre, let’s do some comparisons.  Gemma Hardy lives in Scotland in the mid-20th century while Jane Eyre lives in England in the 19th century.  Both girls have crappy childhoods.   Gemma Hardy’s paternal family is from Iceland.  No Iceland in Jane Eyre.  Personally, I thought the Iceland thing was too forced.  Both girls are small but I had a major LOL moment the second they said Gemma was 5’ 3”.  I am 5’ 3” and I have never been mistaken for a child because of my height nor do I think I am teeny tiny.  Shorter than average, yes, but not quite a mini-me.  The author must be 7 feet tall to make these comments about someone this height.  Lastly, Mr. Sinclair, the Gemma Hardy Mr.Rochester, has a terrible secret which I found to be anti-climatical.  Having your insane wife hidden away in your attic and committing bigamy is a lot more scandalous than this story's big reveal.

All in all, it was decent reading so I recommend but the original is better.