Wide Sargasso Sea is a novel by Jean Rhys that serves as a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. The story follows the life of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress in Jamaica who eventually becomes the madwoman in the attic in Bronte's novel.
The novel explores themes of race, identity, and colonialism as Antoinette struggles to find her place in a society that rejects her. Her marriage to Mr. Rochester, a British man who is only interested in her money, further complicates her sense of self.
Wide Sargasso Sea is a powerful and haunting exploration of the effects of oppression and marginalization on an individual's psyche. Rhys's lyrical prose and vivid descriptions bring the lush landscape of Jamaica to life, while also highlighting the dark undercurrents of racism and exploitation that permeate the island.