Prequel to Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, written by Jean Rhys, that tells the story of Antoinette Cosway, the "madwoman in the attic" (Bertha Mason). Set in 1830s Jamaica, it details Antoinette's life as a Creole heiress, her troubled marriage to an unnamed Englishman (Mr. Rochester), and her psychological decline, exploring themes of colonialism, race, identity, and patriarchal oppression. The novel gives voice to a silenced character, critiquing the legacy of colonialism and challenging the original narrative's perspective.