SIR – My sister sent me a cutting from the T&A (April 14) about the forthcoming issue of a book called Jane Slayre. Knowing of my respect for the writings of Charlotte Bronte, she thought it may be of some interest to me – it certainly was.

In my view, writings of the stature of Jane Eyre, indeed any book, should never me messed about with. In short, if Ms Sheri Browning Erwin feels the need to tell us of so called ‘vampires’ then she must write a book of her own. And let such a book be of the quality of Jane Eyre; most doubtful.

I was much disturbed also to read in your article that a certain Ms Sue Long, a teacher no less, is of the opinion that it (the new book) “will draw young people to the classics and perhaps to read Jane Eyre later” – “perhaps” is the operative word.

In my opinion, children once exposed to the likes of Jane Slayre rarely go back to the original and take the ‘messed about’ version to be the norm.

No, I for one will not be buying – or reading – Ms SBE’s book. I will wait until the film version of her efforts comes out (I am sure that is the real reason for this ‘adaptation’) so I can throw things at the screen – SBE’s book would be just about right for the job.

Clive Pearsall, Triq il-Kavetti, Marsascala, Malta