The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey

Have you ever wanted to read Jane Eyre but could not wade through the nineteenth century prose? The Flight of Gemma Hardy is a retelling of the classic tale of Jane Eyre but is set in 1950's and 60's Scotland and is written with contemporary dialogue. Like Jane, Gemma is orphaned and sent to live with relatives at Yew House, but once her uncle dies, Gemma becomes an unwelcome addition to her surrogate family. She then obtains a scholarship to go to a miserly sort of school. After the school is closed due to financial difficulties, she travels to the Orkney Islands to become the nanny and governess of a niece for a wealthy Londoner, Mr. Sinclair. Sound familiar? There is no mad wife hidden in the attic with this version, but Mr. Sinclair still has skeletons to spare in his closet.

Still want to experience the classic Jane Eyre without cracking a book? Check out the feature film version with Mia Wasikowska, or try the spectacular mini-series featuring Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson.