Apr 19, 2010 Posted by admin on Apr 19, 2010 in Joan Aiken, Pride and Prejudice Sequels, Regency Jane Austen Sequels | 0 comments

Jane Austen Sequels- Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, by Joan Aiken

In this sequel to Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice, written by Joan Aiken, Lady Catherine is true to form in not wanting to see her nephew wed Elizabeth Bennet and being willing to do what ever it takes to stop such a wretched event from taking place. She suddenly she finds she has less time to worry about their nuptials as life takes a few unexpected turns. Lady Catherine has harbored the intention of having Fitzwilliam wed her daughter Anne for decades, although life suddenly gives her more than a few road blocks to achieving her goals. Several mysterious visitors who arrive during a spring snow storm which finds Lady Catherine and her family getting involved in some drama and intrigue. The main characters in this particular story are Anne de Bourgh and Maria Lucas. With Mrs. Bennet already deceased, Mr. Bennet soon follows leaving the Longbourn Estate in the hands of the bumbling Mr. Collins.

Aiken invites you to get to know the young girls on a much more personal level. Anne is all of 19 years of age and enjoys taking long walks. She is portrayed as a defiant yet compassionate soul that befriends a gardener along the way, ignoring the differences in their social status. Maria is sensitive, sensible and very musically adept becomes her friend and confidant.

There are mixed reviews about this particular work of Ms. Aiken’s, although most of the negative reviews have come from Pride and Prejudice purists who prefer their sequels to adhere more closely to canon. People do not generally care too much for the mean spirited character of Lady Catherine, although it is most satisfying to finally see her get her just desserts. And, also, just as true is that most prefer all of the original characters are still living rather than deceased. For those who yearn for more Darcy and Elizabeth, rather than the development of more minor characters, this is not the story for you. It is a different pace than the traditional Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam love story, although it does have its romantic moments and is a satisfying read for most Pride and Prejudice fans.

The story has a few twists and turns you may not see coming as the grand Lady is caught off guard while relaxing at her estate of Rosings Park. There is a surprising Spring blizzard, a carriage accident and some unexpected guests that all seem to bring disruption to the Lady’s wedding plans for Anne, much to her increasing vexation. Fans of the original work have mostly agreed that this author does keep to the style of writing that is similar to Ms. Austen’s own, albeit in her in her own unique voice. If you have enjoyed her other works, you should also greatly enjoy reading this book.

Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.

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Apr 19, 2010 Posted by admin on Apr 19, 2010 in Joan Aiken, Mansfield Park Sequels, Regency Jane Austen Sequels, Uncategorized | 0 comments

Jane Austen Sequels- Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, by Joan Aiken

Joan Aiken’s Mansfield Park Revisited is a Regency era sequel which tells the story of Susan, sister of Fanny Price, after Fanny and her husband Edward Bertram depart for their honeymoon. By choosing one of Jane Austen’s less popular or well-known novels as the basis for her novel, Aiken challenges herself to envision a sequel that will capture fans of more popular Austen books such as Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility.

Susan Price is the focus of Mansfiels Park Revisited, and the story follows her as she takes her sister’s place as the companion to Lady Bertram. With all the drawbacks, dramatics and surprises such a position entails, Susan finds her life is drastically changed nearly overnight. Susan’s spunky character makes her the perfect focus for a sequel to Mansfield Park with her much sweeter and quieter main character, Fanny.

The novel delves into the stories of many of the supporting characters of the original novel, fleshes them out and sometimes surprises us with new insights into their characters.

Austen purists may be surprised at the transformation of the depiction of the Crawfords, whom Aiken turns from antagonists into sympathetic characters by taking a somewhat deeper look at their circumstances and upbringings. Aiken’s novel is not dependent on its predecessor and any reader will enjoy this story without having read any previous writings by Austen.

Unlike some authors, Ms. Aiken makes no attempt to mimic the writing style of Austen or other Regency writers. Instead she uses her own engaging voice to reinvent several characters from the original novel as well as introducing some of her own. Mindful of her audience, Aiken crafts a plot with plenty or romantic entanglements and intrigues with wit and charm.

If you have enjoyed any of Aiken’s other Jane Austen sequels in the past, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. Her unique voice and style are always a pleasure to read.

Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.

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Apr 19, 2010 Posted by admin on Apr 19, 2010 in Joan Aiken, Regency Jane Austen Sequels, Sense and Sensibility Sequels | 0 comments

Jane Austen Sequels- Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, by Joan Aiken

In 1994, at the age of seventy, Joan Aiken published a Regency Jane Austen sequel titled Eliza’s Daughter, written as a follow up to Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. This was one of Aiken’s several Austen based works.

Aiken was an English author who wrote many novels, short stories, and children’s books. Eliza’s Daughter was her third of five Austen-based novels. When asked if her works were based on presumption of Austen’s ideas, Aiken answered “No, love and admiration.”

The main character and heroine of the story, Liz, is an independent and curious soul. Although her circumstances are not always the best, she enjoys life and rolls with the punches. She is an eager learner, spending time with the famous poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. Liz is an impetuous tomboy, who travels from meager beginnings in the town of Byblow Bottom to a manor house, where she is a companion to a frail child, of Miss Hazlitt’s school. Classic original characters from Sense and Sensability make an appearance in Eliza’s Daughter. The passionate Marianne Dashwood, gossip Margaret Dashwood, and the regal Elinor Dashwood all are mentioned in the novel. Liz spends time with the original characters as she grows and matures into adulthood and beyond. Throughout the novel, the reader will glean that Liz is a strong and determined girl who is working hard to transform her life, regardless having access to limited options to accomplish her goals.

This book is an enjoyable read, not only for Jane’s original fans, but for new readers who find themselves drawn to period novels. Aiken’s distinct writing style is a fan favorite that is very present in the novel. Publisher’s Weekly once said of her work, “Others may try, but no one comes close to Aiken in writing sequels to Jane Austen.” No small praise indeed.

Aiken’s Regency Jane Austen sequel to Sense and Sensibility is clearly a cut above most published Jane Austen sequels. She writes with a unique and imaginative style and has creates a novel that will be enjoyed by those who love both Austen and Aiken’s works alike.

Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.

Apr 19, 2010 Posted by admin on Apr 19, 2010 in Emma Sequels, Joan Aiken, Regency Jane Austen Sequels | 0 comments

Jane Austen Sequels- Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, by Joan Aiken

This is an adaptation of the novel Emma, and is one of several books written by Joan Aiken using a continuing story line from Jane Austen’s work. In this particular adaptation it is Jane Fairfax, a more minor character, and not Emma that the story centers on. It does follow the character of Emma as a child who grows to fall in love with Mr. Knightly. However, the author also has Jane Fairfax as having a crush on the magnanimous Mr. Knightly as well as being in love with Mr. Dixon. The storyline follows Jane’s childhood with the Campbell’s until she reaches the age of majority at 21.

As if there weren’t enough trials and romantic entanglements another player enters the picture in the character of Frank Churchill. He is attracted to Jane although it does take some time before the two ever become a couple. There is a secret engagement and a lot of feelings of abandonment throughout the piece. The main focus is the relationship between Jane and Frank although it includes many side encounters that are also worth noting.

As another in the long line of Regency Jane Austen sequel books, this one gets mixed reviews from readers. Some fans of the original Emma do not like the way she is portrayed in this particular story. She is shown as being unsympathetic, snobbish, self-centered and jealous, as her original characterization usually shows, just without some of her more lovable qualities. Other fans don’t care too much for the many crushes Jane seems to have before Frank comes along. This story is written as an alternative piece to what was originally published as Emma. While there are some events that remain the same there are definitely many changes to inspire a thought provoking new story.

If you are a more open minded fan of the original Emma, you will likely enjoy this story since there are relatively few Emma prequels, sequels and adaptations avialiable. If you are an Austen purist, however, you may want to skip this version of Emma and stick with the original. All and all, this novel is well written and a pleasure to read if you approach it with the attitude of letting your mind as the question “what if.”

Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.