Apr 28, 2010
Posted by admin on Apr 28, 2010 in Judith Brocklehurst, Mansfield Park Sequels, Pride and Prejudice Sequels, Regency Jane Austen Sequels, Uncategorized | 0 comments
Judith Brocklehurst novels created a legacy that leaves us wanting more. Ms. Brocklehurst, the English author who passed away in October of 2008, self published her first novel in 2007 at age of 71.
Her first novel, A Letter From Lady Catherine, is one that delighted scores of Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice fans. Her story is a highly rated spin-off of the Austen classic, Pride and Prejudice that was originally published in 1813.
Judith Brocklehurst writes in Austenian style, but displays her own voice and inventiveness as she crafts the continuation of Austen’s beloved cast of characters. In this sequel, readers find Anne de Bourgh transformed. The traditionally obedient character sheds her meek demeanor as she discovers a new life and freedom. In this coming-of-age tale, Brocklehurst shows her ability to develop plots that lend a fresh take on Austen’s works, albeit written in Jane Austen’s classic and timeless style.
Lulu.com published Maria of Birkthwaite, Brocklehurst’s second Austen sequel in May of 2008. Once again, the author works her one of her magical makeovers, this time on the character of Maria. In Mansfield Park, we knew her as the somewhat unlovable Maria Bertram Rushworth. The author breathes new life into the tale of a woman disgraced by permitting her to mature into a respected businesswoman. Maria’s strength comes to the surface as she is determined to beat the odds. It is in such character reinventions that Brocklehurst shines.
Sourcebooks Landmark published Darcy and Anne, Brocklehurst’s final novel, just one month before the novelist’s death. She had been informed of the publishers’ intention to reissue and re-title the book A Letter from Lady Catherine that she had originally self published. Brocklehurst took sincere pleasure in Landmark’s decision to move forward her novel’s republication.
During her lifetime, Ms. Brocklehurst worked as not only as a writer, but also spent time as a librarian and teacher. Her interest in Jane Austen novels may have been spurred on by her visits to Derbyshire during the course of her travels. Judith was grew up in England and educated at Newnham College in Cambridge. She married and had two daughters. The family eventually relocated to Canada, where she became a member of the Ontario Region Jane Austen Society. Both her passion and utmost pleasure was spinning sequels out of Austen’s portraits of those ranked as England’s privileged class during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Judith Brocklehurst’s novels are few in number but great in quality. Her two novels display wit, charm and a style appropriate as a fitting tribute to Austen’s classics.
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Apr 27, 2010
Posted by admin on Apr 27, 2010 in Carrie Bebris, Mansfield Park Sequels, Murder Mystery Jane Austen Sequels, Regency Jane Austen Sequels | 0 comments
The plot in The Matters at Mansfield turns the book into a Jane Austen sequel mystery series adventure. The novel written by Carrie Bebris is one of a few that create a new twist for the characters and settings people have come to know in a totally separate genera from that of Jane Austen’s original classics. The Pride and Prejudice mystery sequel incorporates the beloved characters of Mr. Darcy and his wife Elizabeth, in a fast paced, intriguing mystery plot. In this particular story, the couple tries to help Fitzwilliam’s cousin Anne get out from under the designs of her controlling mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
It seems that Lady Catherine has taken it upon herself to arrange a marriage for Anne. In the meantime, Mrs. Darcy notices that the once sickly Anne has been acting more energetic and happy of late. The story takes a quick and unusual turn when Anne turns up missing. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam leave Pemberley and travel to Scotland, where they end up in a small village named Mansfield Park. There the reader will encounter some of the characters from the original book by the same name.
It is a refreshing read to find the characters you have come to know so well, placed in new and creative storylines. With so many new Jane Austen sequels being written, it is a nice change of pace from the traditional romantic escapade or drama that usually follows these much loved characters.
The Matters at Mansfield is the fourth book in the Darcy Mystery Series by Carrie Bebris. While there is plenty of drama and excitement in this book, it also contains elements of surprise with some of the events surrounding Henry Crawford.
Will the disappearance of Anne lead to a murder victim or will there be a happy ending? To discover the answer to the mystery, you will need to follow the clues and the journey of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam to Mansfield Park as they work to discover the fate of their missing cousin.
Carrie Bebris is the author of five murder mystery Jane Austen sequels: Pride and Prescience, Suspense and Sensibility, The Intrigue at Highbury, North by Northanger, and The Matters at Mansfield. In addition to her wonderful Jane Austen sequels, she is a talented editor, contributing writer for Better Homes and Gardens, and writer of several
Apr 19, 2010
Posted by admin on Apr 19, 2010 in Joan Aiken, Mansfield Park Sequels, Regency Jane Austen Sequels, Uncategorized | 0 comments
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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