BBC's Pride and Prejudice mini-series turned 20 years old today! One of my mother's favorite books was Pride and Prejudice, and she passed that love onto me. Jane Austen was not only a talented and witty writer, but she captured the different social aspects of the time (the balls, the etiquette, and the romance) and provided comedic commentary. She also created unique, clever, and memorable female characters in an age where women were not at the forefront. For those of you who love Jane Austen and all things Regency, here are five books that you are sure to enjoy.
2) First Impressions - Charlie Lovett
Sophie is a bibliophile and an Austen enthusiast who is grieving the loss of her beloved uncle. Then two customers come to the antique bookstore where she works and request the same obscure book. In her hunt to track it down, she not only sparks a romance with two men (reminiscent of Darcy and Wickham), but also comes across evidence that could throw doubt onto the actual authorship of Pride and Prejudice, a mystery that soon turns perilous. This narrative is interwoven with the story of Jane Austen and her blossoming friendship with the elderly Richard Mansfield, who encourages and supports her writing. I picked this book up on a whim and was absolutely delighted by the story. The plot is suspenseful, the characters compelling, the romance complicated, and the love for books is evident on every page.
4) North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South* is the story of Margaret Hale, who is suddenly moved from her beloved and gentle southern England to the harsher and industrialized north. There she meets John Thornton, a factory owner who comes across as aloof and brusque. Margaret also befriends the Higgins family, who work at the factory. While the interactions of the two main characters is very much reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, their romance isn't the full focus of the story. Gaskell lived in the 1850's, at the height of the industrial revolution. She fills out the story with social commentary, especially about the different classes (factory owners and workers), which I think adds wonderful depth to the novel. The two main characters are also fully fleshed out, and the build up of the romance between Margaret and Mr. Thornton is very gradual, but I promise by the end you'll never have wanted two characters to get together more than them! There is also a BBC mini-series, which is great (Richard Armitage plays Mr. Thornton!), but read the book first!
At 32, Jane is obsessed with everything Austen, but especially Mr. Darcy. Unfortunately, that has had repercussions on her real-life relationships. Then her elderly relative provides a three-week vacation to Pembroke Park, a discreet British resort where guests live like they're in an Austen novel. Jane vows that she will go as one final hurrah, and afterwards leave her obsession behind her. Soon lines between reality and fiction become blurred as she immerses herself in the storyline and the world. She is torn between two romantic interests, also finds that life back in Jane Austen's time wasn't all it's cracked up to be, and begins to come to terms with herself. This book isn't a thought-provoking masterpiece, but it is easy and fun, with some laugh out loud moments. It's perfect for anyone obsessed with Jane Austen, or for anyone who ever wished they could have lived in the Regency era.
2) First Impressions - Charlie Lovett
Sophie is a bibliophile and an Austen enthusiast who is grieving the loss of her beloved uncle. Then two customers come to the antique bookstore where she works and request the same obscure book. In her hunt to track it down, she not only sparks a romance with two men (reminiscent of Darcy and Wickham), but also comes across evidence that could throw doubt onto the actual authorship of Pride and Prejudice, a mystery that soon turns perilous. This narrative is interwoven with the story of Jane Austen and her blossoming friendship with the elderly Richard Mansfield, who encourages and supports her writing. I picked this book up on a whim and was absolutely delighted by the story. The plot is suspenseful, the characters compelling, the romance complicated, and the love for books is evident on every page.
Marianne is bored of life in Bath, especially the endless balls! When she receives an invitation to spend the summer at Edenbrooke, a beautiful English estate, she jumps at the opportunity. She hopes to enjoy the quiet countryside while Cecily, her twin sister, tries to capture the attention of the heir of Edenbrooke. But things don't go according to plan. First she is attacked by a highway man on her journey there and rescued by a handsome and mysterious stranger. Then her sister is delayed in London, giving Marianne the chance to find friendship, intrigue, possibly romance, and the courage to be herself. I felt fully immersed in the world, story, and the characters. I absolutely LOVED this book and highly, highly recommend it.
4) North and South - Elizabeth Gaskell
North and South* is the story of Margaret Hale, who is suddenly moved from her beloved and gentle southern England to the harsher and industrialized north. There she meets John Thornton, a factory owner who comes across as aloof and brusque. Margaret also befriends the Higgins family, who work at the factory. While the interactions of the two main characters is very much reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, their romance isn't the full focus of the story. Gaskell lived in the 1850's, at the height of the industrial revolution. She fills out the story with social commentary, especially about the different classes (factory owners and workers), which I think adds wonderful depth to the novel. The two main characters are also fully fleshed out, and the build up of the romance between Margaret and Mr. Thornton is very gradual, but I promise by the end you'll never have wanted two characters to get together more than them! There is also a BBC mini-series, which is great (Richard Armitage plays Mr. Thornton!), but read the book first!
*The book is free on Kindle!
This book is what would have happened had Jane Austen written fantasy. While Jane Ellesworth has incredible skill with glamour (the magic in this world), it's her younger sister Melody who has the beauty. In true Austen style, they vie for the attentions of various eligible men, though Jane, at 28, is somewhat resigned to her impending spinsterhood. When she discovers one of the men is using her sister for treacherous means, she uses her glamour skills beyond anything she thought possible, and find that she also is capable of being loved. I enjoyed the book due to the similarity of the writing and content to most Austen novels, and the added fun of magic being mixed in.
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