If you choose links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Im so happy to introduce my Jane, Cashore tells EW.
Shes lived a pretty ordinary life until recently, when the aunt who raised her died.
Credit: Laura Evans
Now, at loose ends, shes on her way to visit a friends lavish island mansion.
At this mansion, shell face choices, and those choices will change her life.
Anyone who has readJane EyreorRebeccamight notice echoes of those stories in Janes story…
But I think readers will also find that Janes story is unlike any theyve ever read.
It was certainly a unique and unusual challenge for me to write.
Im thrilled that its finally time to pass Janes story on to a broader audience.
Below, EW is thrilled to exclusively reveal the cover and an excerpt, in advance ofJane, UnlimitedsSept.
The spire a mast, the trees whipping against its base, the waves of a ravening sea.
Another wave propels her, in slow motion, against the yachts lounge window.
I havent spent a lot of time in boats.
I guess you get used to it, she says.
She gives no indication of having heard.
I guess my aunt Magnolia must have gotten used to it, says Jane.
My family makes me want to die, Kiran says.
I hope we drown.
This yacht is namedThe Kiran.
Someone was apparently supposed to be waiting on the dock to help him but didnt show up.
Should we maybe help Patrick?
Help him with what?
Patrick can do everything by himself.
Patrick doesnt need anybody, Kiran says.
It can be hard to tell with someone like Kiran.
Its kind of impressive.
Who is Patrick, anyway?
Patrick Yellan, Kiran says.
Ravi and I grew up with him.
He works for my father.
So does his little sister, Ivy.
So did his parents, until a couple years ago.
They died in a car accident, in France.
Sorry, she adds, with a glance at Jane.
I dont mean to remind you of travel accidents.
Its okay, Jane says automatically, filing these names and facts away with the other information shes collected.
Also, shes revoltingly wealthy.
Janes never had a friend before who grew up with her own servants.Is Kiran my friend?thinks Jane.Acquaintance?
Maybe my mentor?Not now, maybe, but in the past.
Ravi is Kirans twin brother, Jane remembers.
Janes never met Ravi, but he visited Kiran sometimes in college.
Her tutoring sessions had been different when Ravi was in town.
Kiran would arrive late, her face alight, her manner less strict, less intense.
Is Patrick in charge of transportation to and from the island?
I guess, Kiran says.
A couple other people chip in too.
Do Patrick and his sister live at the house?
Everyonelives at the house.
So, is it nice to come home?
Because you get to see the friends you grew up with?
Oh, says Jane.
Eh, its complicated, Kiran says, with a short sigh.
Lets not talk about it now.
He could hear us.
How will we get to the house?
She can see no road.
Will we ascend through the rain, like scuba divers?
Kiran snorts, then surprises Jane by shooting her a small, approving smile.
By car, she says, not elaborating.
Ive missed the funny way you talk.
Janes gold zigzag shirt and wine-colored corduroys make her look like one of Aunt Magnolias sea creatures.
A maroon clownfish, a coral grouper.
Jane supposes she never dresses without thinking of Aunt Magnolia.
Okay, she says.
And whens the spring gala?
I dont remember, Kiran says.
The day after tomorrow?
The day after that?
Its probably on the weekend.
Theres a gala for every season at Octavian Thrash IVs house on the sea.
Thats the reason for Kirans trip.
Shes come home for the spring gala.
Aunt Magnolia had made Jane promise never to turn down an invitation to Kirans family estate.
Hey, Kiran had said that day, stopping at the desk.
Shed glanced at Janes arm, where tattooed jellyfish tentacles peeked out from under her shirtsleeve.
Kiran, said Jane, instinctively touching her arm.
The tattoo was new.
Do you go to school here now?
No, Jane said.
Im taking some time.
In the bookstore, she added, which was obvious, and not something she wanted to talk about.
It was like muscle memory now, this steeling herself.
Oh, Kiran said, narrowing her eyes.
No wonder you dropped out.
I might have dropped out anyway.
The other students were snobs and I was failing biology.
Kiran asked, ignoring the dig about snobs.
Known school-wide as a pretentious douche, said Kiran.
Against her better instincts, Jane smiled.
Aunt Magnolia, whod been an adjunct marine biology teacher, had spluttered over the syllabus.
Greenhuts a superior, self-righteous donkey, shed said in disgust, then added, No offense to Eeyore.
Greenhut is trying to weed out students who didnt go to fancy high schools.
Its working, Jane had said.
Maybe youll go to school somewhere else, Kiran said.
Its healthy to get away from home.
Jane had always lived in that small, upstate university town, surrounded by students whenever shed stepped outside.
Tuition was free for faculty kids.
But maybe Kiran was right, maybe Jane should have chosen a different school.
A state school, where the other students wouldnt have made her feel so .
These students came from all over the world and they had so much money.
Like she was a puzzle piece from the wrong puzzle.
You could be an art major somewhere, Kiran said then.
Didnt you used to make cool umbrellas?
Theyre not art, said Jane.
Okay, said Kiran, whatever.
Where do you live now?
In an apartment in town.
The same apartment you lived in with your aunt?
No, Jane said, injecting it with a touch of sarcasm that was probably wasted on Kiran.
Of course she hadnt been able to afford that same apartment.
I live with three grad students.
How do you like it?
Its fine, Jane lied.
Jane was hardly ever alone there.
Her bedroom was a glorified closet, not conducive to umbrella-making, which required space.
It was hard to move around without poking herself on ribs.
Sometimes she slept with a work in progress at the end of her bed.
I liked your aunt, Kiran said.
Whats brought you to town?
Kiran shrugged, listless.
I was out driving.
Where are you living?
In the city apartment.
Though Ive been called home to the island for the spring gala, Kiran added.
And I may stay awhile.
Octavian is probably in a mood.
I hope you have a nice time.
What is that tattoo?
Is it a squid?
Can I see it?
She pushed her sleeve up to the shoulder for Kiran.
Kiran gazed at the jellyfish with an unchanging expression.
Huh, she said.
Yes, said Jane.
Its delicate, said Kiran.
Its beautiful, actually.
Did your aunt ever get to see your tattoo?
Timing can be an asshole, Kiran said.
said Jane, startled.
After you get off work.
So Ill buy you a milkshake.
Jane didnt mean to explain it all, but Kiran was from the time when life had made sense.
Her presence was confusing.
It just came out.
Quit your job, Kiran said.
Jane said, irritated.
Not everyone has Daddys bottomless credit card, you know.
Kiran absorbed the dig with disinterest.
You just dont seem very happy.
said Jane, incredulous, then, as Kiran continued to sip her whiskey, seriously annoyed.
Whats your job, anyway?
I dont have a job.
Well, you dont exactly seem happy either.
Kiran surprised Jane by shouting a laugh.
Opening it carefully, she twirled it between her fingers, then presented it to Jane.
Protection, Kiran announced.
Jane asked, examining the umbrellas delicate working interior.
From bullshit, said Kiran.
Wow, Jane said.
All this time, I couldve been stopping bullshit with a cocktail umbrella?
It might only work for really small bullshit.
Thanks, said Jane, starting to smile.
You have a degree.
You had really good grades, didnt you?
Dont you speak, like, seven languages?
You sound like my mother, said Kiran, her voice more weary than annoyed.
I was only asking.
Its okay, she said.
It was funny, because those were Janes thoughts exactly.
But now, because Kiran had said it, she resented it less.
Hello, dont put bullshit in my mouth.
Im armed, Jane said, brandishing her cocktail umbrella.
You know what I liked about your aunt?
She always seemed like she knew exactly what she was going to do next.
She made you feel like that was possible, to know the right choice.
Kiran observed Janes grief with dispassion.
Quit your job and come home with me to Tu Reviens, she said.
Stay awhile, as long as you like.
Hell, hell buy your umbrella supplies.
My boyfriend is there; you’ve got the option to meet him.
My brother, Ravi, too.
Whats keeping you here?
Some people are so rich, they dont even notice when they shame others.
But it wasnt possible to say no, because of Aunt Magnolia.
Youreawake, Jane had responded, because Jane was the insomniac in the family.
Aunt Magnolia had been tall, like Jane, and Jane had always fit well against her.
You remember your old writing tutor?
Aunt Magnolia had said.
Of course, Jane had responded, taking a noisy slurp.
Did she ever talk about her house?
The house with the French name?
On the island her dad owns?
Tu Reviens, Aunt Magnolia had said.
Jane had known enough French to translate this.
Exactly, darling, Aunt Magnolia had said.
I want you to make me a promise.
If anyone ever invites you to Tu Reviens, shed said, promise me that youll go.
Okay, Jane had said.
Ive heard its a place of opportunity.
Aunt Magnolia, Jane had repeated.
What the hell are you talking about?
Her aunt had chuckled, deep in her throat, then had given Jane a one-armed hug.
You know I get wild ideas sometimes.
And then a week later Aunt Magnolia might go off to Japan to photograph sharks.
The images she brought back amazed Jane.
Yourewild, Aunt Magnolia, Jane had said.
But I dont ask you for many promises, do I?
So promise me this one thing.
All right, Jane had said, fine.
For you, I promise I wont ever turn down an invitation to Tu Reviens.
Why are you awake anyway?
Strange dreams, shed said.
Kirans invitation brought Aunt Magnolia near in a way that nothing else had in the four months since.
Does Kirans father even know Jane is coming?
What if shes just a third wheel once Kiran meets up with her boyfriend?
How does a person act around people who own yachts and private islands?
In,Jane thinks, focusing on her expanding belly.Out,feeling her torso flatten.
Jane glances at the house, floating above them in the storm.Aunt Magnolia never worried.
Could this be my heroic journey?
Shell need to choose an umbrella appropriate for a heroic journey.
Will Kiran think its weird?
Can she find one that isnt embarrassing?
Teetering across the lounge floor, opening one of her crates, Jane lights upon the right choice instantly.
The petite umbrellas satin canopy alternates deep brown with a coppery rose.
The brass fittings are made of antique parts, but strong.
She could impale someone on the ferrule.
The runners squeak and the curve of the ribs is warped, the fabric unevenly stretched.
Its just a stupid, lopsided umbrella,Jane thinks to herself, suddenly blinking back tears.Aunt Magnolia?
Why am I here?
Patrick sticks his head into the lounge.
His bright eyes flash at Jane, then touch Kiran.
Were docked, Kir, he says, and the car is here.
Kiran sits up, not looking at him.
His eyes catch hers and she looks away.
Leave your stuff, she says to Jane dismissively.
Patrick will bring it up later.
Okay, Jane says.
Something is definitely up with Patrick and Kiran.
Whos your boyfriend, anyway?
His name is Colin.
He works with my brother.
Did you make that umbrella?
It makes me think of you.
Of course it does.
Its homemade and funny-looking.
Kiran and Jane step into the rain.
Patrick holds a steadying hand out to Jane and she grabs his forearm by accident.
He is soaked to the skin.
Patrick Yellan, Jane notices, has beautiful forearms.
Watch your step, he says in her ear.
Once on land, Kiran and Jane scurry toward an enormous black car on the dock.
Patricks the one who asked me to come home for the gala, Kiran shouts through the rain.
says Jane, flustered.
Who the hell knows?
He told me he has a confession to make.
Hes always announcing shit like that, then he has nothing to say.
Stop trying to keep me dry, Kiran says, reaching for the car door.
Its only making both of us more wet.
The driver has the facial expression of a bulldog and shes driving like shes got a train to catch.
She stares at Jane in the rearview mirror.
Jane shivers, tilting her head so her boisterous curls obscure her face.
Are we short-staffed again, Mrs. Vanders?
Youre wearing an apron.
A handful of guests just arrived unannounced, says Mrs. Vanders.
The spring gala is the day after tomorrow.
Cook is having hysterics.
Kiran throws her head against the back of the seat and closes her eyes.
Phoebe and Philip Okada, Mrs. Vanders says.
Lucy St. George
My brother makes me want to die, Kiran says, interrupting.
Your brother himself has made no appearance, says Mrs. Vanders significantly.
Shocking, says Kiran.
Any bank robbers expected?
Mrs. Vanders grunts at this peculiar question and says, I imagine not.
Well, Kiran says, ignoring Jane, I announced my friend ahead of time.
I hope youve set aside space; Janie needs space.
Weve set aside the Red Suite in the east wing for Jane.
It has its own morning room, Mrs. Vanders says.
Though regrettably it has no view of the sea.
Its nowhere near me, Kiran grumbles.
She used to beg to be included.
Or set the house on fire, says Mrs. Vanders.
Ivy would make herself sick and fall asleep in a sugar coma, Kiran says wistfully.
And I would sleep between Patrick and Ravi on the hearth, like a melting smore.
Memory comes on sharply; memory has its own will.
Sitting with Aunt Magnolia in the red armchair, beside the radiator that clanked and hissed.
ReadingWinnie-the-PoohandThe House at Pooh Corner.
for the life of a Bear!
Aunt Magnolia would say as Christopher Robin led anexpotitionto the North Pole.
Sometimes, if Aunt Magnolia was tired, she and Jane would read silently, wedged together.
Jane was five, six, seven, eight.
If Aunt Magnolia was drying socks on the radiator, the room would smell of wool.
The car approaches the house from behind, roars around to the front, and pulls into the drive.
Its not a ship anymore, this house, now that Jane sees it up close.
