Why Jane Eyre Owned a Pencil. Probably Just One….
By Joanna Campbell Slan
Author of Death of a Schoolgirl
My most recent book, Death of a Schoolgirl, picks up where Charlotte Bronte’s original classic, Jane Eyre, left off. Readers who know that I also write two contemporary mystery series, often ask me, “Doesn’t that take a lot of research?”
The short answer is yes.
Although Bronte’s book was published in 1847, the story of the orphaned governess is actually set in the years 1818-1820. In the two centuries that have passed, people haven’t changed much. We still get up in the morning, get dressed, eat breakfast, and go about the business of loving, hating, and tolerating each other. But the world around us, the theatre in which we perform our lives, has changed dramtically, in large part because we enjoy such abundance.
Items we use every day, and discard without a second thought, were precious and hard to come by back in the Regency era. Take, for example, the ubiquitous lead pencil. Since Jane was an amateur artist with some talent for drawing and sketching, we might presume she owned one.
Yes, one.
Instead of buying pencils by the dozen, people in the early 1800s bought them one at a time. Unlike today’s pencils, these writing instruments of the past were neither bright yellow nor hexagonal. Both are modern enhancements. Today’s iconic yellow shaft was a nod to China, home of the best graphite in the world. And it was an American named Ebenezer Wood who crafted the first hexagonal and octagonal shapes to keep pencils from rolling off of desks.
Back then, a pencil didn’t automatically come with an eraser. Up until the year 1770, an author wishing to erase an errant mark grabbed bread crumbs and rubbed them onto her paper, hoping that they would remove the unwanted graphite. As with many inventions, the rubber eraser came about by accident. In this case, a British engineer named Edward Nairne grabbed a wodge of rubber gum and scrubbed away at this paper. Perhaps his sandwich was out of reach.
Some might find delving into ancient history tedious. Indeed, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know, and so the process of writing can get terribly bogged down. But each exploration into the past leaves me feeling grateful for the many conveniences I enjoy every day. Conveniences I use, but too often take for granted.
About the Author:
Award-winning and National Bestselling author Joanna Campbell Slan is the creator of three mystery series, including the Kiki Lowenstein Mysteries (an Agatha Award Finalist) and a new series featuring Cara Mia Delgatto, a young woman who runs a recycling/repurposing shop.
The first book in Joanna’s historical romance mystery series, The Jane Eyre Chronicles, is Death of a Schoolgirl, winner of the 2013 Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence. In her past life, Joanna was a television talk show host, an adjunct professor of public relations, a sought-after motivational speaker, and a corporate speechwriter.
Visit Joanna’s website at www.JoannaSlan.com. See all her books at http://tinyurl.com/JoannaSlan. Follow her on Pinterest (www.Pinterest.com/JoannaSlan) Join the conversation at http://tinyurl.com/JCSlan Or communicate directly with her at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com
Jennifer’s Review of Death of a Schoolgirl
TITLE: Death of a Schoolgirl
SERIES #: The Jane Eyre Chronicles
AUTHOR: Joanna Campbell Slan
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/12
BOOK SYNOPSIS: In her classic tale, Charlotte Bronte introduced readers to the strong-willed and intelligent Jane Eyre. Picking up where Bronte left off, Jane’s life has settled into a comfortable pattern: She and her beloved Edward Rochester are married and have an infant son. But Jane soon finds herself in the midst of new challenges and threats to those she loves…
Jane can’t help but fret when a letter arrives from Adele Varens–Rochester’s ward, currently at boarding school–warning that the girl’s life is in jeopardy. Although it means leaving her young son and invalid husband, and despite never having been to a city of any size, Jane feels strongly compelled to go to London to ensure Adele’s safety.
But almost from the beginning, Jane’s travels don’t go as planned–she is knocked about and robbed, and no one believes that the plain, unassuming Jane could indeed by the wife of a gentleman; even the school superintendent takes her for an errant new teacher. But most shocking to Jane is the discovery that Adele’s schoolmate has recently passed away under very suspicious circumstances, yet no one appears overtly concerned. Taking advantage of the situation, Jane decides to pose as the missing instructor—and soon uncovers several unsavory secrets, which may very well make her the killer’s next target…..
REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Jennifer NUMBER OF STARS: Four Stars
REVIEW: Jane Eyre has always been a wonderful book to me and one that I have read, time and time again. Death of a Schoolgirl picks up right after Jane Eyre left off and I was amazed how this book reminded me of visiting an old friend. The story starts with Jane finally settling down with Edward after the traumatic events of Jane Eyre. Edward is recuperating after losing his eye and Jane has been blessed with the birth of their young son, Ned. Adele is off at boarding school and her letters have been very succinct and worrisome since she has made no mention of the new addition to their family. When Adele’s recent letter uncovers a hidden message, Jane and Edward realize that something is wrong with her at school and Jane soon sets off to find answers. Along the way, Jane is robbed and mistaken for the new German teacher at the school which helps Jane to determine exactly what is happening at the school. She soon learns that Adele’s schoolmate has died under suspicious circumstances and Jane must find the culprit before anyone else gets hurt.
I loved this book and I really didn’t want it to end. I loved seeing what happened to Jane and Edward after the events of Jane Eyre and see how much her life has changed after she got married. Jane was always a great character to me and she just has grown into such a strong determined woman after everything that she had been through. I enjoyed the mystery in this book and I’m so glad that this is a start to a new series because I can’t wait to read more about these characters in future books.
Giveaway
I’m excited to give away a copy of Death of a Schoolgirl. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by September 28th, answer me this question in the comments:
Which book do you consider to be a classic?
Thanks so much for having me. So glad you enjoyed the book!
Thank you for being part of this tour.
Rebecca is a classic.
Sharon, it absolutely is. And Jane Eyre is a precursor to Rebecca, when you think about it. Both are about young women with no financial resources who capture the eye of an older, wealthy, and accomplished man. In both books, the first wife is an impediment to a happy marriage with a second wife.
This book sounds fantastic! Congrats to Johanna on the new release! I love the idea of continuing Jane’s story! I Loved JE growing up so I definitely consider that one of my fav classics 🙂
I loved Jane Eyre. I read when I was in high school. A definite classic. I also loved her sister Emily’s “Wuthering Heights”, another classic.
There are many classics — some I’ve actually read, and others I haven’t. One book that I have read, and consider a classic, is GRAPES OF WRATH. Another classic I’ve read would be GONE WITH THE WIND.
I read Jane Eyre many, many moons ago, but I don’t remember whether I liked it — think I read it in High School as an assignment – and that sort of ruins the pleasure of it. I think I might ought to read it now so I can enjoy it without the ‘picking it apart’ aspect. And I do like the premise of your follow-on book, DEATH OF A SCHOOLGIRL.
To me nothing tops the classic Gone With The Wind.
I read Jane Eyre and consider it to be a classic and Wuthering Heights, but Gone With The Wind was a great classic to me.
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to find out what happens to my favorite heroine, Jane Eyre. In addition to Jane Eyre, some of my favorite classics are The Stranger, My Antonia, Song of the Lark, Sister Carrie, Invisible Man, Light in August, Tender Is the Night, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Rebecca.
maevalentine39 [at] gmail [dot] com
I consider Jane Eyre to be one of the classics, along with Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma.
pride and prejudice