More than 200 years after she published her first novel, Jane Austen still is an inspiration to authors today. This is evidenced by the large numbers of 'Austenesque' literature appearing on the market. I think no Austen fan is wholly immune to the attraction of these books, which promise us a new look at a beloved story or characters from Jane's novels placed in our familiar modern world. I at least am not afraid to say I read and enjoy an 'Austenesque' novel ever so often!
Jane Austen made me do it is a collection of no less than 22 'Austenesque' short stories, written by well-known authors in the genre, such as Amanda Grange and Lauren Willig, but also newcomers and the winner of a story contest at the Republic of Pemberley! There are a great many different styles and subgenres in this book, including sequels or missing scenes from Jane Austen's books, stories from the life of Jane herself, supernatural stories and modern stories inspired by Austen's works. Such a diversity of stories makes it hard to write a review of this book as a whole. Therefore I will give a few remarks on the total work and then review 5 favourite and 2 less liked of the individual stories.
Firstly, what a great idea to bundle these Austen-inspired stories! I think the genre lends itself well to the short story format and it's very pleasant and relaxing reading. I enjoyed the largest part of the stories in this book very much. I'm sure there are many more stories like this just waiting to be written and I for one wouldn't mind a Jane Austen made me do it - part 2. If I might make one suggestion as to the contents, I would like some more modernized adaptations, as I'm partial to those (blushes...) and I missed those in Jane Austen made me do it.
Favourite stories from Jane Austen made me do it
Waiting by Jane Odiwe
A sweet and wonderful sequel scene to Persuasion, in which Anne and Wentworth both look back and look forward on the morning after their second engagement. Written in classic Regency style, but never feeling stilted and very true to the characters Austen wrote.
Nothing less than fairy-land by Monica Fairview
A look at the newly married life of Emma and Mr. Knightley and the 'slight' problem they have to overcome in the form of Mr. Woodhouse... Another story in true Austen style and giving life to all the beloved characters from Emma. Both funny and touching, it answers a question I think many readers have upon finishing Emma: how does Mr. Knightley manages to life under the same roof as Mr. Woodhouse?
Heard of you by Margaret C. Sullivan
How interesting and unique, this story exploring how Austen's happiest-longtime-married-couple, Admiral and Mrs. Croft came together. With a background of the naval life in Regency times and also a look into Wentworth's time as a junior sailor, a charming tale of family, friendship and love.
Letters to Lydia by Maya Slater
Maria Lucas writes to Lydia Bennet during her time at Hunsford Parsonage. A look at a part of Pride and Prejudice from an unexplored angle, very funny and exactly as you expect Maria Lucas would correspond with Lydia, with lots of exclamation marks and capitals!
What would Austen do? by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway
A teenage boy, bored during his summer holidays, is sent by his Austen loving mother to English Country Dance classes and starts liking it much more than he thought. This might be the most original contribution to Jane Austen made me do it and a real tribute to the influence Jane's works can have on just about everybody! It was really fun to read about a teenager discovering how much fun reading Jane Austen can be and how he more or less, found himself through her works.
Least favourite stories from Jane Austen made me do it
The Mysterious Closet: A Tale by Myretta Roberns
Cathy Fullerton takes a holiday in a converted abbey, but it might just get more Gothic than she's bargained for. Really, what was exactly the point of this story? I cannot say a lot without spoiling you, but I totally did not get what the author was trying to convey and found her use of Henry Tilney not respectful, to say the least.
A night at Northanger by Lauren Willig
The crew of a struggling ghost hunting tv program is forced to spend the night at Northanger Abbey. Another ghost story and yes, I must admit I don't like these very much to begin with. But the story and the Jane Austen connection was totally illogical and the main character not a person you like or become interested in easily
"Nothing Less Than Fairy-Land" and "What Would Austen Do?" were two of my favorites too! (My review is here.) I didn't like either of the two you disliked either -- just not my style, for one thing.
ReplyDeleteI like the new blog! Lovely header :-)
Thanks for my very first comment on my new blog! Yeah, the header was the easy part, now comes the finding out how blogspot works exactly part....
DeleteHow fun you also reviewed this book!
If you need any help with figuring Blogger out, just ask! I've been using it for almost 11 years now, so I know a little about it.
DeleteThanks Hamlette! I might just hold you to that. What are your ideas about promotion of a new blog?
DeleteAs in, how to promote it? Go find a whole lot of other blogs about books and comment on them. Some of those bloggers will follow you back here. Also, participate in blog parties and blogathons that interest you -- great way to make new friends.
DeleteAt least, that's what I do. But you'll notice I don't have gobs and gobs of followers. However, I'm cool with that.
Another idea might be to seek out other blog reviews of books you've reviewed, comment on their review, and in your comment, mention that you reviewed it too. Like, "Hey, I agree with you about this, but I thought yadda yadda yadda about that. (You can read my full review here.) Why do you think the author chose to do thus-and-so?" (That way you're not just blatantly being self-promotional, you're also leaving and interesting and constructive comment. There's nothing more annoying that someone who just says, "Hey, read my blog to see what I think!" as a comment.)
Thanks for the ideas! I'll be sure to try them out!
DeleteSounds like a fun collection of stories - thanks for reviewing and spotlighting it, Birdie!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on the blog! Woohoo! Happy to see you join us. Everything is looking grand and I know you'll do a great job with it. :) Already things are looking snazzy at 'Lady of the Manor.' Looking forward to future posts from you.
Thanks so much, Rissi! Glad to see you here!
DeleteIt's my pleasure to be here, Birdie. :)
DeleteBirdie, I am so honored that you chose Jane Austen Made Me Do It as your first entry on your new blog ... and that you enjoyed it. It was a dream project for me to edit and it is always gratifying to read positive reviews. I hope to fulfill your wish and edit a second edition, Jane Austen Made Me Do It, Again!
ReplyDeleteHello Laurel Ann, thank you for your reply! And I'm honored you came here and commented on my review. I sure am looking forward to the next book!
DeleteIsn't this a fun book? I love Jane Austen and these stories were great. I'm quite fond of several that you mentioned liking! Especially the Anne and Wentworth story. Persuasion is a favorite of mine. :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, looks great around here! :D
Hello Kara, nice to see you here! Thanks, I hope to make this a nice blog. If you have any tips or tricks, do not hestitate to share!
DeleteBirdie, I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed my story-that's music to my ears!
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure to read, Jane, thanks for coming by and commenting!
DeleteThese stories all sound lovely and, well, normal. At least there's nothing untoward. Once I stumbled across a book for Pride & Prejudice with erotica as its main focus, and my jaw dropped in horror. It was just . . . nasty.
ReplyDeleteAre there any modern Austen adaptations you would recommend? I tried one by Debra White Smith and really didn't enjoy it, but that might have just been the author more than anything else.
No, there's nothing of that sort in 'Jane Austen made me do it', though I am aware of the existence of such works....
DeleteEhm, I've recently read Acting Up by Melissa Nathan (I believe it's also sold under the title of Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Fields), which I quite liked. But most modern adaptations I've read have been fanfiction, but good fanfiction. I've been able to find good modern adaptations of P&P, Emma and Mansfield Park and reasonably good of Persuasion, S&S and Northanger Abbey. I've been curious about Debra White Smith, though I've not read any of her works, cause they are relatively hard to find. She writes from an inspirational point of view, right?
Yes, Debra White Smith does write from a Christian viewpoint. Which is probably why I need to give her books another chance. I think I was just frustrated because the heroines had all attended college and were successful and I hadn't gone to college at the time that I was reading them. Jealous of a literary character, how sad. *sighs*
DeleteI put both books on hold at my library. Thanks for the recommendation! There's two Kindle books I just downloaded recently that are Jane Austen themed. Once I get a chance to read them I'll let you know what I think. Maybe you've read them already! :)