Wishlist Wednesday

During my recent trip to the downtown library, I mentioned how Austen-centered many of the displays were. I was delighted to find that the librarians also put out a list of "Austen Adoration Works Inspired by Jane Austen and the Austen Universe." (Great title, don't you think?)


I was so thrilled and have already been checking off ones I'd like to try! Check out some of these titles based on Jane Austen works.

The Lost Memiors of Jane Austen
by Syrie James

Many rumors abound about a mysterious gentleman said to be the love of Jane's life—finally, the truth may have been found. . . .

What if, hidden in an old attic chest, Jane Austen's memoirs were discovered after hundreds of years? What if those pages revealed the untold story of a life-changing love affair? That's the premise behind this spellbinding novel, which delves into the secrets of Jane Austen's life, giving us untold insights into her mind and heart.

Jane Austen has given up her writing when, on a fateful trip to Lyme, she meets the well-read and charming Mr. Ashford, a man who is her equal in intellect and temperament. Inspired by the people and places around her, and encouraged by his faith in her, Jane begins revising Sense and Sensibility, a book she began years earlier, hoping to be published at last.

Deft and witty, written in a style that echoes Austen's own, this unforgettable novel offers a delightfully possible scenario for the inspiration behind this beloved author's romantic tales. It's a remarkable book, irresistible to anyone who loves Jane Austen—and to anyone who loves a great story.

+/-

Jane Austen Mystery series
by Stephanie Barron

For everyone who loves Jane Austen...a marvelously entertaining new series that turns the incomparable author into an extraordinary sleuth!

On a visit to the estate of her friend, the young and beautiful Isobel Payne, Countess of Scargrave, Jane bears witness to a tragedy. Isobel's husband--a gentleman of mature years--is felled by a mysterious and agonizing ailment. The Earl's death seems a cruel blow of fate for the newly married Isobel. Yet the bereaved widow soon finds that it's only the beginning of her misfortune...as she receives a sinister missive accusing her and the Earl's nephew of adultery--and murder.

Desperately afraid that the letter will expose her to the worst sort of scandal, Isobel begs Jane for help. And Jane finds herself embroiled in a perilous investigation that will soon have her following a trail of clues that leads all the way to Newgate Prison and the House of Lords--a trail that may well place Jane's own person in the gravest jeopardy.

The Confession of Fitzwilliam Darcy
by Mary Street

Originally published in the U.K., Mary Street's ingenious retelling of Jane Austen's classic story now makes its U.S. debut-to the delight of the fans of Austen's comic masterpiece of divine romance. In Fitzwilliam Darcy, Austen created the ultimate romantic hero. Yet Pride and Prejudice reveals little of Darcy's innermost thoughts. Here, Street unveils the true motives and mysteries of Elizabeth Bennet's enigmatic suitor. Through Darcy's eyes we discover the reality of his relationships with his sister Georgiana, his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, the dastardly Wickham, his friend Bingley, and his formidable aunt, Lady Catherine. And of course, all his memorable encounters with Elizabeth, from that first view of her fine eyes to his disastrous proposal, and then to a pride and arrogance tempered by an unquenchable love.

Some others to try:

Austenland by Shannon Hale
Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Margaret Sullivan
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Austenland by Shannon Hale

Genre: General fiction, classical twist
Publisher, Year: Bloomsbury, 2007
Other Works: The Goose Girl, Princess Academy
Rating: A+ or Must Read Now!
Challenge: Countdown
Premise: Unlucky in love, Jane Hayes is looking for a modern Mr. Darcy to jump from the BBC into her life. To get over her unhealthy obsession with one last hurrah, Jane spends three weeks in Regency England. Will she find her own Regency gentleman, or will she finally wake up and smell the stark scent of reality?

I was skeptical going into this book because I’ve been burned by other “modern-day” Austenesque books in the past. But, I still had some confidence because I’ve been wowed by Shannon Hale before. I thought, if anyone can pull this off, it would be her. I’m so happy to report that I was right! If you’re a Jane Austen fan and you haven’t picked this book up yet, don’t delay! Or even if you’ve only seen Austen movies or just heard of Colin Firth’s Mr. Darcy, you will be able to love this book. It was a dream from page one! This book is screaming to be made into a screenplay—any takers? +/-

Jane is your typical disillusioned thirty-something, tired of love and tired of men. However, there’s something a little different about her: she’s head over heels for a fictional character of the Austen conjuring, an obsession that’s bordering on neurosis. In other words, Mr. Darcy is taking over her life. If she doesn’t act fast, she’s going to turn into a puddle of longing remorse. Luckily, Jane’s got an observant great aunt who just happens to leave her the chance of a lifetime in her will—a chance to step into a real-life Regency existence.

Pure gold. Seriously. I loved every minute. Somehow Hale is able to take those contrived moments, those catch phrases, and turn them into something new and fun. It was like being swept away in the “Regency” experience without being completely immersed—something that can never happen when “playing” at something. And yet, the experience beings out real parts of Jane and changes her in real ways. The reality versus the illusion: that classic battle.

Nearing the end, I was so hoping for a twist, but I was totally unable to see where one could possibly come from. And then BAM! it shows up—Emeril style. And I had the urge to immediately start reading from the beginning all over again! It was absolute perfection. Perfection, I tell you! This is a must read. It will not disappoint! I polished it off in two sittings. A great read for a day off!

Jacket Racket: Jane Austen 2

These (relatively) new UK Jane Austen covers really caught my eye! I love the bright colors and the "paper cutout" look. They are very simple, but elegant, I think. I also enjoyed some of the things that were included on the covers from the books: Anne facing toward the bottled ship, Emma playing cards, Fanny's cousins talking behind her back. I only wish I could purchase them! Those lucky Brits.

+/-

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

I thought this book sounded like a fun idea. A 21st-century woman, Courtney Stone, wakes up in a 19th-centry woman's body, Jane Mansfield, and tries to make sense of Jane Austen's Regency England life style. Although the idea is a great one, I have to say that I was disappointed by the plot. It borders on mildly entertaining, but that's about it.

I know it's difficult to formulate the intrique, confusion, and misunderstandings, not to mention incredible characters, that Austen is so good at weaving into a perfectly executed story line, but I think if you are going to so blatantly captalize on said author and her vast audience, you've got to hit much closer to the mark. +/-

Not even to mention all the strange inconsistencies. To name an example (of many), one man Jane/Courtney talks to says he remembers Jane telling him about Rosa Parks, but Courtney has no knowledge of it. She also finds a diary in Jane's room that's completely empty except for a couple of pages that are filled with doodlings of Courtney's name, which freaks her out. So, is the author trying to say that Courtney has "quantum leaped" into this body before? Or that some other woman has, who was passionate about civil rights? No idea. This is never explained.

At one point she even meets the Jane Austen, in the flesh, on the street and proceeds to tell her that she's famous and that there are movies made from her books. Seriously?? If you had the chance to meet Jane Austen, this is what you would say?! Please! To me, it just says that the author of this book is not actually a real Jane Austen fanatic. It was pathetic.

There's also too much postulating from Courtney/Jane about why she is in this body and about the similarities between the people in her life at home and this life in Regency England, namely the men she meets and Jane's mother. I found this to be distracting. Apparently, Courtney's romantic/family life is a mess in the 21st century, but in the end, we never get to see what happens to Courtney or the men in her life at home. I thought that was weird and unsatisfying.

I really could go on, but I'll stop there. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it, although I'm still on the lookout for books like this one that are better.

Jacket Racket: Jane Austen

I ran across these beautiful Austen covers from Vintage Classics, and they are so sweet and charming! It's too bad I've already spent my lifetime Austen allowance (probably) already. Have a look! (Visit the designer's site here.)

+/-

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Jane Austen is always a good experience for me. And Persuasion has been no exception. However, I don't think this book lives up to her other novels. Although intriguing, much less intriguing; witty, but not as witty as expected. In my mind, the bar is set very high for Miss Austen, as I have seen what delights she is capable of. This is not Jane Austen at her best.

Anne is a good girl, an obedient daughter, and, let’s face it, a boring, backbone-less character. Next to her silly siblings and friends, certainly we like her the best, but if there’d been an Elizabeth Bennett among the party. . . Anne wouldn’t have had a fighting chance at “favorite character.” But, she is not without some virtue. There’s nothing worse than thwarted love for the sake of duty, followed by burning, torturing regret. Anne carries this regretful spirit and suppression with dignity. She is not happy, but she’s not sad—she’s empty. Nothing in her life makes sense, and she doesn’t fight it. She’s hopeful, yet consigned. When her lost love +/-

returns and shows interest in another—a younger, livelier, more beautiful woman—Anne retreats and hides her secret longing. She doesn’t let the feeling overwhelm her and pushes forward, no matter how much her heart fights against it. Her face is perfect serenity, while her heart aches with pain. Sufficeth to say, though she bears her cross without complaint, she will not be so easily persuaded again. Endurance is the theme, perhaps too well driven home. And her Captian Wentworth did not steal my heart.

Really, I am being too severe. Overall, I loved the book (How could I not, I ask you, as an Austin fan?), even with it's flaws. The story is still compelling, and we are still waiting on hold every moment to see if Wentworth will really ignore her and move on with his life with someone new, or if he’ll come back to the woman he once loved so well. Perhaps if Austen has been permitted to stay on earth a little longer, she would’ve had time to smooth out these problems. As it is, I would much rather have read this book than not.