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.
