Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford, a new Jane Austen contemporary vampire novel will be released for sale on 29 December 2009. Vic and I have both chatted about this book before on Jane Austen Today: first when the initial sale was announced in June of 2008, and recently in September when the cover art was revealed. Here is the publisher’s description:
Two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen is still surrounded by the literature she loves—but now it’s because she’s the owner of Flyleaf Books in a sleepy college town in Upstate New York. Every day she watches her novels fly off the shelves—along with dozens of unauthorized sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations. Jane may be undead, but her books have taken on a life of their own.
To make matters worse, the manuscript she finished just before being turned into a vampire has been rejected by publishers—116 times. Jane longs to let the world know who she is, but when a sudden twist of fate thrusts her back into the spotlight, she must hide her real identity—and fend off a dark man from her past while juggling two modern suitors. Will the inimitable Jane Austen be able to keep her cool in this comedy of manners, or will she show everyone what a woman with a sharp wit and an even sharper set of fangs can do?
Now you can read an excerpt of the novel. The first two chapters can be found here. They introduce us to a modern-day forty something undead Jane Austen, living in upper-state New York as Jane Fairfax, an independent book store owner who not only can’t get her 200 year plus manuscript Constance published, she must witness other less talented writers making a killing off her name and characters. We also learn how, when, and who turned her. One hint. He is “mad, bad and dangerous to know,” and one assumes, still around and not buried in Nottingham. ;-)
The excerpt is a teaser and you may shortly be as startled as I when Jane takes a bite out of her first victim in the book.
Laurel Ann (Austenprose)
Virginia Claire
Christina B.
RegencyRomantic
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
shelleydewees
Br. Paul Byrd, OP
Aia A. Hussein
Lucy Warriner
Lisa Galek
Thanks for the link I’m off now to read the first two chapters. All the very best and a great weekend.
I’m a sucker for these JA books. I just wish it was being released the week before christmas, so I could ensure it would be under my tree!
A Jane Austen contemporary vampire novel says it all really. Cheap cash-in, more like in the poorest taste.
Reading my comment back it seems a bit graceless and I didn’t intend it to be. Apologies. I’m an admirer of this blog but just not keen on all the vampire/zombie staff linked to Austen.
Hi Nicola, no worries. Lizzie Bennet expressed her opinions decidedly and we welcome the same, as long as it is civil, which you are. Thanks for your complement on the blog. As far as the influx of Austen and zombies and vampires, try to take it as a joke that will soon be out of fashion. Jane Austen had quite a wicked sense of humor and would probably laugh, cry and then want a share of the pecuniary emolument! Thanks for your comments.
Cheers, LA
This sounds better than the Sea Monster mash up.
I have to admit, I’m totally intrigued! And I guess I’m just one of the many folks who can’t get enough Austen. I read the first two chapters and was very surprised, as you mentioned, by the first bite! But the writing is good, and I definitely think the plotline is different.
Is it frustrating to see so many writers cashing in on the whole “vampire” trend? Maybe a bit. But this one is obviously tongue-in-cheek… and I love the idea of Jane still here, watching as countless readers are introduced to her work!
[...] Read an excerpt of Jane Bites Back [...]
[...] Read an excerpt of the first two chapters [...]
I loved the first chapters of JBB. The title says it all for me. I have often felt sad that Austen only made a pittance while she lived Her family published her last 2 books and the rewritten Lady Susan also. I think Austen would have wanted her mother and sister to have some gain from her work. She never knew what the world thought of her and still thinks of her. Mr. Ford did a great job and I’m glad he’s kept “Our Jane” alive and getting even. I look forward to Jane Goes Batty and the promised third sequel.