Waiting on the wind to take you home: RE JANE.

Re Jane by Patricia Park
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book would be stronger if it stood on its own as a coming-of-age and cultural identity story, rather than inviting constant comparison to Jane Eyre. The parallel only sets expectations it can’t meet.

The story follows Jane Re, a half-Korean, half-American young woman raised by her stern aunt and uncle in the U.S. after losing her parents. She later becomes a live-in tutor for the Farley-Mazur family in Brooklyn, caring for their adopted Chinese daughter, Devon. The household is a world apart from Jane’s upbringing, and she soon becomes romantically involved with Ed, the child’s adoptive father. Disturbed by the relationship, Jane abruptly leaves for Korea in search of her roots and her long-lost family.

Unfortunately, the connection between Jane and Ed lacks any real spark. Ed is flat and charisma-free, and the ethics of their affair are troubling—not only for the reader, but also for any emotional investment in their dynamic. Unlike the brooding magnetism between Jane Eyre and Rochester, there’s little here to root for.

Pacing is another challenge. The book feels long and meandering, with most character development jammed into the final chapters. Jane Re, our protagonist, struggles to garner sympathy. She betrays those who trust her, walks away from a child who depends on her, and rarely shows genuine warmth or insight toward those around her—including Sang, her American uncle, whose story hints at untapped emotional depth. There are moments where a more nuanced relationship between Jane and Sang tries to break through, but they never quite land.

The novel explores themes of identity, family, and cultural pressure, but these threads don’t feel fully realized. Jane’s journey to Korea seems more like an escape than growth, culminating in her deferring yet again—this time to the expectations of her Korean relatives and a new romantic interest. It’s unclear what kind of personal transformation the story is aiming for.

Even without the shadow of Jane Eyre, this novel lacks the emotional weight and character complexity needed to carry its plot. There are glimpses of something more meaningful—particularly in the themes of belonging and heritage—but they’re lost in a story that ultimately feels unresolved and emotionally distant.

View all my reviews