Austen, Austen, Everywhere!
Like the ocean water that surrounds the crew in the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, there has never been a shortage of books, stories, plays, poems and movies on the topic of Jane Austen and her works. But the comparison ends there as the sailors could not drink the seawater around them so it was a useless resource. For those of us who enjoy Jane Austen, all this wonderful creative outpouring inspired by her works is a feast for the thirsty soul. They continue to spark our imaginations and keep the flow of creative energy happening.
I could never presume to know all that has been written and filmed about Jane Austen and her novels but the latest trio of books I read recently got me quite excited at the magnitude of talent and offerings by these Austen author-fans.
All three novels below are by debut novelists. A hefty task for each for Jane Austen readers can be quite particular and there will always be comparisons to the Queen of Romance and Wit. And how do these three women authors compare? Quite high on my list!
Pride and Prejudice is possibly my favourite Jane Austen novel so when I heard about The Clergyman’s Wife, by Molly Greeley, I knew I had to read it. It is based on Austen’s character Charlotte Lucas, a close friend of Elizabeth Bennet from P & P. Molly provides the opportunity to explore the probable direction of Charlotte’s life. Every page felt Austen-authentic: the lingo, setting, atmosphere and characters. I absolutely loved this book from cover to cover. It is an exceptional Jane Austen inspired story written with fresh eyes. The language is lyrical and pure. It is a gentle and heart stirring telling of Charlotte's emotional journey through the people she meets as a clergyman's wife and particularly her connection with Mr Travis who seems to understand and value her opinions. The tension between duty and love are explored in Charlotte’s own thoughts. We come away knowing her true feelings and sympathise with her for the sacrifices she must make to maintain order. I highly recommend this shining debut gem.
The second Austen inspired novel I read this year was another debut. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner is another emotional and enjoyable read. At the core of this story is a love for Jane Austen's books and how they can aid and shape the lives of those who seek to indulge in their beauty. Each character deals with some aspect of pain in his/her life. Natalie carefully builds her characters so we get the opportunity to truly see what motivates them--their losses, loves and fears. The feelings are raw and real. So much depth is woven into each thread of this story. There are a number of surprising twists and turns that keep the pages turning. Natalie's lawyer skills are present, too, but not as dusty or dry bits of information. Rather her knowledge flows with ease into the storyline giving the legal challenges authenticity. Seamless Austen vision pours across these pages. Any lover of Austen’s works will enjoy this stroll through Austen territory. We are pulled in deeper when the pace quickens and the plot thickens. A wonderful read written by a caring Austen lover. Highly recommend this warm and wonderful debut.
The third debut novel I last read was Jane in Love by Rachel Givney. It was a breath taking ride, so very different from the previous two but incredibly captivating. This novel had me pinned to its pages and I could not put it down (literally). This unique debut is an incredible and imaginative time travel story on Jane Austen the person. And what if she was magically transported to the year 2020 and found the man of her dreams? What would happen to her writing life and books? Would she choose earthly love or her artistic calling? This novel explores so many aspects of a writer’s life, not only Jane’s but all who follow in her footsteps. 'Jane in Love' is full of wit, gentle romance, heart-stopping moments, beauty, insight, and so on. I loved this novel on so many levels. I think Rachel captured Jane Austen the woman and writer perfectly (as best as anyone can) and the shock of one being transported from 1803 into modern 2020. Each time period is genuine and distinct. Rachel's film skills and knowledge shine through, too, in Sophia Wentworth, Jane’s new best friend. I can easily see this story as a TV series or movie. If you are not a Jane Austen lover or have not read her celebrated works, this book might just get you curious and interested enough to give her collection a try. Highly recommend this brilliant read.
As for movies, there have been so many. And there are quite a few differences of opinions on which versions are truest to Austen. Above in the photo you can see the ones I have but there are others I have seen as well. Rather than comment on these individually, I will just say they each have their own merit and I enjoyed them in various degrees. Just type in Jane Austen movies in google and it will definitely lead you to many that you can watch. One TV mini-series that was rather different in its fantasy/time travel delivery is Lost in Austen: an apt title for Austen fans and for this one fan who switches places with Jane Austen’s character Elizabeth Bennet in her novel Pride and Prejudice. There are some unusual plot alterations as Jane Austen’s novel is thrown off track by the modern (2007) heroine, Amanda Price. Lots of fun, wit and humour.
Curl up with Austen’s books and those that have been inspired by her stories. Watch a movie. There’s plenty of Austen, Austen Everywhere!
