Quote:
Originally Posted by issybird
Spoiler:
Opinions should be defensible and open to discussion, and I am enjoying the discussion, even if it's just me.
The issue was the use of the disparaging term "fan-fiction" to apply to a highly-regarded book in particular, and by extension to any derivative fiction. As I said, that pretty much blows the Western canon out of the water and it's especially hard on marginalized groups who might want to apply shared myths to reflect their own reality.
There was also an element that Rhys could have had nothing interesting to say about Jane Eyre and if you extend that, then no one could. Are you so very sure you have the one "correct" interpretation of the book and of Rochester, the gospel according to Charlotte Brontė as it were? I do agree that one's first experience of a book should be between just you and the author, but after that, I don't see why you wouldn't be interested in other takes on it. It could expand your appreciation, your understanding, your enjoyment. Maybe it wouldn't, or maybe you'd be wrong at that, but you'll only know if you're willing to examine it. I think this is especially important in a book you're going to read and reread, and over years if not decades. Why codify your original understanding as the only possible one?
I couldn't know that you'd thought better of "fan-fiction," and that was my springboard. It was derogatory to both Wide Sargasso Sea and by implication to any book that employed myths and legends common to our culture. And then you backed that up by implying that you could interpret correctly Charlotte Brontė's intent, or at least that such a thing could be determined and determined for all time; moreover, that that was the only important thing, which seems very limiting to great literature. I disagree strongly with all of this. Obviously! 
No one is going to read everything or can be expected to like everything. But you were painting with a really broad brush when specifics might have served you better. |
Personally I agree with Deskisamess. I have no problems with derivative works, as in using a
similar theme, plot, worldbuilding or characters, but I'm not interested in reading works by other authors who use the
same characters as the original author. And it has never mattered to me in the least how many lists a book figures on, how many awards it has received or how much it's been praised. That goes for any and all books, not only the derivative ones.
Mind, not having read The Wide Sargasso Sea, I've no idea if it uses the original characters of Jane Eyre or merely similar ones. For me there is a difference, and not a small one.