Reviews on all things Austen
Posted in Miscellaneous, Recommended on Mar 25th, 2013
At first I wasn’t entirely convinced by the need for this book. It seemed to be jumping on the Austen band wagon. A bit like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. However, having read it I am convinced it belongs in the library of all Austen fans. It is split into 12 chapters ordered in the [...]
Posted in Criticism, Recommended on Aug 22nd, 2012
I finished reading this book – it is a interesting read and makes me want to read the novels again (that has to be a good thing). Here is the description … Is there any sex in Austen? What do the characters call each other, and why? What are the right and wrong ways [...]
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 Recommended on Mar 22nd, 2011
This is an interesting (not to mention easy to read) book about home and what that meant to the Georgians. The Georgian house is a byword for proportion and elegance, but what did it mean to its inhabitants? In this brilliant new work Amanda Vickery unlocks the homes of English men and women, from the [...]
Posted in Contemporary Authors, Recommended on Dec 14th, 2010
As Austen was a bit of an Edgeworth fan, when I saw this in the book shop I decided I had to read it (although Austen died before this novel was published). Here’s the stuff on the back … She was the best-selling author of Regency England. Admired by Jane Austen, whose fame she eclipsed. [...]
Posted in Recommended, Regency Romance on Aug 17th, 2010
I’m continuing my regency romance reading marathon. I selected this one because I read Loretta Chase’s blog – Two Nerdy History Girl and I find their history posts fascinating. Here’s the blurb … Spunky English girl overcomes impossible odds and outsmarts heathen villains. That’s the headline when Zoe Lexham returns to England. After twelve years [...]
Posted in Recommended, Regency Romance on Aug 16th, 2010
I love reading regency romances, which isn’t to say I think Jane Austen writes regency romances or I think any of the romance authors are her equivalent. Georgette Heyer would be my favourite, but I’m always on the look out for another author. I’ve discovered through trial and error that I prefer ‘traditional’ regencies. The [...]
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, Recommended on May 10th, 2010
In Episode 3 Amanda is forced to leave Longbourn and she turns to Mr Wickham for help; he prepares her for society (essentially teaching her how to bluff her way) and tells her to visit Jane Collins. At Rosings she is reunited with Mr Darcy and they argue about Bingley’s and Jane’s unhappiness. Meanwhile Mrs [...]
Posted in Adaptations, Recommended, Television on Dec 12th, 2009
I saw the first episode of this adaptation and thought ‘oh dear!’ and wasn’t sure if I would continue. However, the second episode was better and by the end I was hooked. The screen play was written by Sandy Welch, who also adapted North and South. As I loved North and South and Emmais my [...]