Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion by Jane Austen, 259 pages

Persuasion is Jane Austen's last finished novel and follows the long suffering, roundabout romance between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.

My personal reading goal this year was to read classics I hadn't read before, and this novel was at the top of the list. Pride and Prejudice has been a great favorite of mine for many years, but Persuasion has come close in esteem. Anne's inner analysis of her family's ridiculousity provides a port of respite for the reader in the novel's rocky shoals of family, society, and love. Like all the best books, I can't wait to read it again. 

 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen-361 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I hadn't previously read any of Austen's works, but I had been wanting to read this one. It being our next book for the Book to Movie Club, I finally got the chance to read it. I had previously watched the 2005 film based on the book. One thing I find repulsive now about the setting and time period is the measure of a woman being tied to marrying well (and early). I do like the central romance story between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. (Fitzwilliam) Darcy, though.

Overall, I rather enjoyed reading this and I think the 2005 movie is a good adaptation. 

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray

The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray, 333 pages

Mr. Johnathan Darcy and Miss Juliet Tilney are finally reunited after a year apart when they are both invited to Rosings Park after multiple attempts on Lady Catherine de Bourgh's life.  Surrounded by family and friends, it becomes difficult to tell friend from foe, and time is running out, not just for Lady Catherine, but also for the potential future of both the young investigators. 

I enjoyed this, the third in the series, because Pride and Prejudice is my favorite Austen novel and we got to revisit that word a little more closely. Gray did a wonderful job of bringing Austen's characters to life in a way that felt authentic in ways expected and unexpected.  For example, the glimpse of Charlotte Collins' life was just what I had imagined it to be, but the way Anne de Bourgh is portrayed gives her a richness and a fullness I came to appreciate. 

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev | 400 pages | 2021

Yash Raje, gubernatorial candidate for California, has always known exactly what he wants—and how to use his privileged background to get it. He attributes his success to a simple mantra: control your feelings and you can control the world. But when a hate-fueled incident at a rally critically injures his friend, Yash’s easy life suddenly feels like a lie, his control an illusion. When he tries to get back on the campaign trail, he blacks out with panic.      

Desperate to keep Yash’s condition from leaking to the media, his family turns to the one person they trust—his sister’s best friend, India Dashwood, California’s foremost stress management coach. Raised by a family of yoga teachers, India has helped San Francisco’s high strung overachievers for a decade. But this man—with his boundless ambition, simmering intensity, and absolute faith in his political beliefs—is like no other. Yash has spent a lifetime repressing everything to succeed. 

They had one magical night ten years ago—a too brief, too bright passion that if rekindled threatens the life he’s crafted for himself. Exposing the secrets might be the only way to save him but it’s also guaranteed to destroy the dream he’s willingly shouldered for his family and community.

A very sweet retelling of Sense & Sensibility (obviously). The characters were very well written, and I'm a sucker for a book with some deep emotional wisdom. India's inner dialogue was a delight to read, and I found all the conflict believable and relatable. The spice level was much lower than I expected, but that makes it a great pick for my book club!

Manslaughter Park by Tirzah Price

Manslaughter Park (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #3) by Tirzah Price, 404 p.

"Aspiring artist Fanny Price is an unwelcome guest at her uncle Sir Thomas Bertram’s estate. It’s his affection for Fanny that’s keeping her from being forced out by her cousins Tom and Maria and nasty Aunt Norris, back to a home to which she never wants to return. But then Sir Thomas dies in a tragic accident inside his art emporium, and Fanny finds evidence of foul play that, if revealed, could further jeopardize her already precarious position.

Edmund, her best friend and secret crush, urges Fanny to keep quiet about her discovery, but Fanny can’t ignore the truth: a murderer is among them. Determined to find the killer, Fanny’s pursuit for justice has her wading into the Bertram family business, uncovering blackmail, and brushing with London’s high society when Henry and Mary Crawford arrive at Mansfield Park with an audacious business proposal. But a surprising twist of fate—and the help of local legends Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy—brings Fanny more complications than she ever expected and a life-altering realization about herself she never saw coming." --Goodreads blurb

Oooh, this was my favorite in this series to date. Perfect characters written so well, with great twists to the story. Is he a good guy? Bad guy? Plus Lizzie and Darcy make more than a small appearance in this story, too. I just really loved this story. 

 

Sense and Second-Degree Murder by Tirzah Price

 

Sense and Second-Degree Murder (A Jane Austen Murder Mystery #2) by Tirzah Price, 416 p.

"When eighteen-year-old aspiring scientist Elinor Dashwood discovers her beloved father slumped over the desk of his office study, she knows his death means dire straits for the Dashwood women. To make matters worse, an outdated will entails his estate—including Norland & Company, the private investigation firm where her younger sister Marianne worked as her father’s partner and protégé—to their half-brother and his haughty wife, who waste no time in forcing the Dashwoods out of their home and into a cramped apartment on London’s Barton Street. But before they go, the Dashwood sisters make a startling discovery that points to foul play, and the killer might be family.

Obviously, the girls must investigate. It could be dangerous; it could ruin their reputations; and most importantly, it won’t bring back their father. But if the Dashwood sisters can combine their talents and bring their father’s murderer to justice, it may bring them all some comfort—and it might even lead to love."--Goodreads blurb

The second book in this Jane Austen series was more of what the first was: fun, witty, and perfectly engrossing. This was the perfect combination of intrigue, humor, and being an easy read. As an Austen fan, I loved the familiarity with the characters and tying them to the original. So far, this series has been a hit for me!

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price

Pride and Premeditation (Jane Austen Murder Mystery #1) by Tirzah Price, 368 p.

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman who desires a law career must be in want of a case. So when sixteen year old Lizzie Bennet hears about a scandalous society murder, she sees an opportunity to prove herself as a solicitor by solving the case and ensuring justice is served.

Except the man accused of the crime already has a lawyer on his side: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious Pemberley Associates law firm. Lizzie is determined to solve the murder before Darcy can so that she can show the world that a woman can be just as good as a man. (The fact that Darcy is an infuriating snob doesn’t help.) But there’s still a killer on the loose, and as the case gets more complicated, Lizzie and Darcy may have to start working together to avoid becoming the next victims themselves."--Goodreads blurb

Always love me a good female lead, and Lizzie puts everything on the line to prove herself to her father and all the other men in her life, as well as a lot of the women! The setting of this being so parallel to P&P (intentionally, I know) was really fun and brought familiarity to the characters. Fighting against Victorian society as a woman is never fun, but Lizzie gets her hands dirty and doesn't back down. I didn't want to put this one down and am happy there are more in this fun series! 

 

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray, 386 pages

The Knightley's house party has an impressive guest list: the Darcys, the Brandons, the Bertrams, the Wentworths, and Juliet Tilney, daughter of Henry and Catherine. As literal stormclouds darken the sky as the party gathers, a shadow falls upon Donwell Abbey in the shape of an unwelcome guest: Mr. George Wickham. When Wickham's body is found in the gallery, it's clear that there is a murderer in their midst. 

You don't have to be an Austen aficionado to enjoy this murder mystery; the author has done a superb job of giving enough context to prevent any loss of meaning. The artful way Gray meshes Austen's stories together makes for excellent reading.  The language is clear and open, but reflects enough of Austen's voice and Regency era fiction to feel like a modern classic. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - 435 pages 

"Pride and Prejudice is a novel of manners by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. The story follows the main character, Elizabeth Bennet, as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of the British Regency. Elizabeth is the second of five daughters of a country gentleman, Mr. Bennet, living in Longbourn."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it's inspired me to read more by Austen. Her writing is witty and each character is so distinct. I highly recommend; it's a classic that lives up to it's esteem. 
 

Emma, Jane Austen, Art by Po Tse, Adapted by Crystal S. Chan

Emma, Jane Austen, Art by Po Tse, Adapted by Crystal S. Chan, 295 pages

In this teen graphic novel of Jane Austen's Emma, the characters of this classic novel are brought to life.  Emma's tale is one of a young girl who plays matchmaker for her friends and finds love herself in 1800's London.
Althouogh, someday, I hope to read the novel Emma, the graphic novel was a entertaining and fun read.

Who Was Jane Austen? by Sarah Fabiny

Who Was Jane Austen? by Sarah Fabiny, 107 pages

The Who Was series of books are biographies written for children.  But, actually they are just as informative for adults as they are for children.  I have never read any of Jane Austen's novels but this book about her life makes me want to put them high on my reading list.  It was hard for a young woman in the late 1700s to get an education let alone any kind of career.  Someone bought the rights to her first novel but never published it.  Her first novel was not published until after her death.  Jane did go on to get her books published and Emma became one of her most famous novels.

Persuade Me by Juliet Archer

Persuade Me by Juliet Archer, 368 pages
(Series - Darcy & Friends)

A modern retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austen, this story fills in the blanks where Austen left off ... if her book was set in modern times. The characters remain, for the most part, untouched - at least in personality if not occupation. Mary Musgrove is still her annoying self except that instead of being a hypochondriac she is an alcoholic who views Ann as the woman Mary's husband wants. (That whole Ann & Charles affair goes one step further than Austen's Persuasion did). Mrs. Clay becomes the fake French accent Masseuse named Cleo instead of the widowed daughter of the Elliot's lawyer ... a character I really enjoyed because she was so comical. Admiral and Mrs. Croft are just Mr. & Mrs. Croft - two retirees who decided to open up a nursery. Benwick is still a lover of poetry, but instead of his fiance dying before they could become married, she has run off with another man. That irritated me just a little, but again, the author was trying to modernize the story. The Musgrove family remains intact albeit a little more annoying.  As long as you read this book with an open mind and understand that a lot had to change to make it a modern retelling, you will enjoy this read.

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Death Comes to Pemberly by P.D. James, 291 p.

   Being a Jane Austen fan myself, I went into this book with apprehension. While mostly well-written (it is P.D. James, after all), I found I couldn't love the characters with the depth as I could when Austen wrote about them. Elizabeth was, as always, very endearing, but Darcy, having changed from his so very proud ways, was vapid and too sentimental. The mystery kept me engaged, but I didn't feel like every aspect of it was wrapped up in the end. While I enjoyed reading it, and always looked forward to picking it up when I had to put it down, I was left feeling a bit disappointed. It was at least worth the read, and would recommend it to Austen fans. 

A Woman of Consequence by Anna Dean

A Woman of Consequence: The Investigations of Miss Dido Kent by Anna Dean --- 384 pages

Third volume in the new series of Regency mystery-romances by English author Anna Dean, with a heroine obviously patterned on Jane Austen, and with plots that combine elements of Austen's life with elements drawn from Austen's books.

Dido Kent is an impoverished gentlewoman dependent on her brothers for her support and maintenance, too intelligent for her own comfort, and chafed by her dependency and the assumption that she is at the beck and call of everyone around her. At the age of six and thirty she is aware that her family and friends have consigned her to spinsterhood, but unknown to them, she has received a proposal of marriage from the very personable Mr. William Lomax. Unfortunately, Mr. Lomax, while powerfully attracted by Dido's intelligence and wit, is equally dismayed by her independence is exercising that intelligence, and her penchant for involving herself in situations that "no gentleman wishes to hear from a lady he respects and esteems."

The current situation to which Mr. Lomax objects, concerns Dido's efforts to uncover the truth behind the recent discovery of the remains of a woman, found when an ornamental lake was drained during improvements to the grounds of nearby Maddenstone Abbey. The remains are identified as those of Miss Elinor Fenn, a governess employed at Maddenstone, who walked out of the house fifteen years ago and was never seen again.  

The coroner's jury declares a verdict of suicide; but if this were the case, Dido reasons, why would some unknown person now go to great lengths to remove all remaining traces of the dead woman's history and connections at Maddenstone? And why is no one willing to admit who ordered the draining of the lake? What is causing the apparition of the "Grey Nun" to manifest itself in the Abbey ruins and even to appear in the Great House itself? Why is a gazetted fortune hunter like Captain James Laurence pursuing Penelope Lambe, a pretty but penniless orphan of unknown antecedents, while simultaneously persuading Miss Lucy Crankford to agree to an elopement and clandestine marriage?. Why should Lucy's elder sister Harriet be so adamantly opposed to their brother Silas' attachment to Penelope?

Despite Mr. Lomax's disapproval, Dido knows she cannot stop until she finds the answers to these and other questions, so that justice may be done, the dead laid to rest, and happiness restored to the living. But even in this, Dido finds to her dismay, there may be a vast and seeming unbridgeable gap between a woman's notion of justice and a man's.

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James --- 291 pages

P.D. James, the distinguished author of so many subtle murder mysteries, turns to one of English literature's most discerning observers of the human comedy, Jane Austen, for the inspiration of her new novel.

Six years after the events described so wittily in Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth and Darcy, and Jane and Bingley, are happily married and settled at Pemberley and nearby Highmarten. But on the eve of the annual "Lady Anne's Ball" the peace of Pemberley is shattered when Elizabeth and Jane's disreputable brother-in-law, George Wickham, is arrested on a charge of murdering his friend Captain Denny in gloomy Pemberley Wood.

Events are further complicated by the strange behavior of Darcy's cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, who seems determined to dictate the actions of everyone involved in the murder investigation, and particularly by his sudden antipathy towards Mr. Alveston, an eligible young barrister who has found favor with Darcy's sister Georgiana.

While perhaps lacking Austen's lively wit, James' dissection of manners and morals is equally acute. Many authors have tried to emulate Austen and produce sequels to her stories, with varying success, but this must rank as one of the best efforts. Happy 92nd birthday, P.D. James!