Reviews on all things Austen
Posted in Pride and Prejudice, Re-Interpretation on Nov 2nd, 2011
Years ago I read a novel by Fenton called Lions and Liquorice and loved it. So I snapped this one up when I saw it in the Borders closing down sale. Be warned: it’s the same novel renamed for the US market. Not to worry, I didn’t own a copy and I enjoyed reading this again. Here’s the [...]
Posted in Re-Interpretation, Recommended on Oct 24th, 2011
My local Angus and Robertsons has gone out of business, but the space now has one of those $5 book shops, which was where I found this novel. How could I not buy it? Here’s the blurb … Full of characters obsessed with Jane Austen and set in Jane Austen locations in England, this lively [...]
Posted in Persuason, Re-Interpretation on Jul 19th, 2011
I’m not sure what happened to April, May and June – a nit of a gap in the Jane Austen reviews! I think Austen fans read Austen related texts for different reasons. Some read it for the romance, others for the period detail and others (myself included) for the wit and beautiful prose. I admire [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Re-Interpretation, Recommended on Jun 29th, 2010
This novel is based on Sense and Sensibility. I have been disappointed in the past with sequels, prequels, etc, but being eternally hopeful (or just wanting more Austen) I’m always prepared to try another one. Here’s a synopsis Jane Austen’s beloved Sense and Sensibilityhas moved to Westport, Connecticut, in this enchanting modern-day homage to [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Pride and Prejudice, Re-Interpretation on Apr 28th, 2010
In the second episode Amanda tells Mr Bingley she is a lesbian (to avoid his advances). She entertains Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley with a rendition of Downtown – unfortunately this is edited from the DVD – you can find it at Youtube. Returning to Netherfield they encounter Wickham when their carriage breaks down [...]
Posted in Re-Interpretation on Apr 15th, 2010
It has been my experience that Austen fans fall into two groups; those who admire her brilliance, read and re-read her novels and are amazed that other writers would even dare to try to imitate her style, then there is the other group who love the characters, the period setting, they want to know what [...]
Posted in Dreadful, Re-Interpretation on Aug 27th, 2007
This novel was dreadful! If you enjoy Jane Austen novels, then avoid this like the plague! This review is going to be short because I don’t want to waste any more time on this book. The relationship between the heroine and hero followed that of Elizabeth and Darcy quite nicely, if somewhat obviously, but the [...]