1001 Book Challenge + Thirteen Reasons why you should read Wide Sargasso Sea

1. You've probably never heard of it, and it's good to extend your library. 2. It's the prequel (of sorts) to Jane Eyre - one of the best books ever written. 3. Unlike contemporary sequels/prequels of classic books which tend to be terrible in quality, this book has gone on to forge a considerable reputation of its own. 4. It's partially set in the luscious Caribbean, and you can virtually feel the oppressive steam. 5. It's also partially set in England, which is a stark contrast, to put it mildly. 6. It took Jean Rhys nine years to complete, so it may give all of us who suffer writer's block some hope! 7. Any book with the character Edward Rochester in it is a winner in my eyes! (plus you see him get all down and dirty...kind of) 8. Any book which intelligently deals with mental illness, such suffered by the main protagonist, is worth a try. 9. Budding writers must take note of it's language: simple and beautiful. Rhys only ever uses as many words as are required. 10. It's a thin book - only 156 pages. 11. Because I said so! 12. It will make you want to run out an read Jane Eyre again, just to compare and remind yourself of the context and the difference of perspective between characters. 13. It's also got racial differences, infidelity, voodoo, alcohol, gossip, malice, and lots of spice. What more could you want?! thursday thirteen, See more here!