From the desk of Katie Patchell: Many books have been written to continue the stories of the characters that Jane Austen created, including sequels, prequels, continuations, and diaries. Most of these books have been written about the most popular of her novels, Pride and Prejudice while ignoring some of her other different, but equally well-written and... Continue Reading →
Steampunk Darcy, by Monica Fairview – A Review
From the desk of Kimberly Denny-Ryder: I must say, out of all of the derivatives of Pride and Prejudice variations that exist in this realm (yes, also including the erotica variety), I never thought I’d come across a steampunk version. When one thinks of steampunk, one envisions gears, motors, and mechanical technology that are as... Continue Reading →
Longbourn Love: Jo Baker Event at University Bookstore Seattle
On Wednesday night I had the honor of attending a reading and book signing by Jo Baker, author of the recently released novel Longbourn, at the University Bookstore in Seattle. About forty people attended the event in celebration of National Reading Group Month and sponsored by the Seattle Chapter of Women’s National Book Association. I... Continue Reading →
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, by Helen Fielding – A Review
From the desk of Christina Boyd: We were first introduced to Bridget Jones’ Diary in 1997. Readers kept it on the New York Times bestseller list for over six months. We were utterly addicted to this new confessional literary genre author Helen Fielding had created—the unguarded, neurotic ramblings of a London singleton in search of... Continue Reading →
The Annotated Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen, annotated & edited by David M. Shapard – A Review
From the desk of Heather Laurence: “And now, Henry,” said Miss Tilney, “that you have made us understand each other, you may as well make Miss Morland understand yourself … Miss Morland is not used to your odd ways.” “I shall be most happy to make her better acquainted with them.” Modern readers encountering Northanger... Continue Reading →
Longbourn: A Novel, by Jo Baker – A Review
From the desk of Syrie James: What was happening below stairs in Pride and Prejudice? Who were the ghostly figures that kept both the storyline and the Bennet household going behind the scenes? That is the premise of Jo Baker’s engrossing novel Longbourn, which takes Jane Austen’s famous work, turns it upside down, and shakes... Continue Reading →
A Preview & Guest Blog by Monica Fairview, author of Steampunk Darcy
Please help me welcome author Monica Fairview today in celebration of the release of her new novel, Steampunk Darcy. This story cleverly combines Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice with the Victorian steampunk genre. Get ready, dear readers, to have your bonnets blown off in this creative new twist. BOOK DESCRIPTION When Seraphene Grant is offered... Continue Reading →
Sense and Sensibility: An Annotated Edition, by Jane Austen, edited by Patricia Meyer Spacks – A Review
From the desk of Kathleen Elder: Sense and Sensibility was the first of Jane Austen’s novels to be published, in 1811. A second edition came out in 1813 with author corrections, and that edition was used as the definitive version by Dr. Chapman who noted changes from the first edition. This new annotated version also... Continue Reading →
Austen Project Announces McCall Smith for Modern Reimagining of Emma
Those folks at HarperCollins really know how to make Janeites scream with joy—well—at least this Janeite, who is over the moon from their announcement last Friday that Alexander McCall Smith is slated to re-write Emma for The Austen Project. One of my favorite contemporary authors, McCall Smith is renowned for his delightful No 1 Ladies... Continue Reading →
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World (A Pride and Prejudice Variation), by Abigail Reynolds, read by Rachel E. Hurley – A Review
From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: This Pride and Prejudice variation asks readers, “What if Elizabeth Bennet had accepted Mr. Darcy’s first proposal?” After reading this question in the book’s description my first reaction was, ACK, why would she? Changing the Course of the Plot Like the two other novels by this author that... Continue Reading →
Book Launch of Longbourn: A Novel, by Jo Baker
I am very pleased to welcome author Jo Baker to Austenprose today in celebration of her US release day of Longbourn: A Novel published by Alfred A. Knopf. This new book, whose title will certainly catch the attention of any Janeite, has garnered quite a bit of press since its publication was announced last January,... Continue Reading →
The Trouble with Flirting: A Novel, by Claire LaZebnik – A Review
From the desk of Lisa Galek: There are tons of ways to flirt… and just as many ways to break hearts in the process. A casual smile or a wink can lead to long-awaited romance or lots of unwanted attention. Claire LaZebnik explores all this and more in The Trouble with Flirting, her contemporary young... Continue Reading →