Inspiration and Advice from the World's Best-loved Novelist
4 stars
nonfiction
This was like taking a creative writing course-- which makes sense given that Smith was the Writer in Residence at the Jane Austen's House Museum and teaches creative writing.
While the book is all set up using Jane Austen's life and writing and writing process, the exercises are entirely flexible and applicable to any genre.
I'm not really doing a lot of writing at the moment (because, um... life. kids. house. you know) but it certainly gave me things to think about.
I recommend this for any writer, but especially for those who enjoy Jane Austen. :)
Showing posts with label Jane Austen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jane Austen. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2017
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Charlotte Collins by Jennifer Becton
A Continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
4 stars
I think I'm a little Regency'ed out.
I did enjoy this, though I think a "continuation" of P&P is perhaps not the most apt description. It does follow a character from P&P years later (Charlotte Lucas Collins), but a continuation for me would imply following more "important" characters.
I will admit that that is a bit grumpy of me, but it's been one of those days.
I also have to say that I spent a fair amount of this book thinking that while I understand writing fan-fic (I've done a lot myself) I don't really understand writing a book as fan-fic when she easily could have just written a Regency of her own without using Austen's characters. This book is really not all that dependent on P&P (kind of like the middle book of the Darcy trilogy).
Anyway, all the grumping aside, it was a pretty good book. I did enjoy it and would recommend it.
(Although I mean it when I say I think I've had a surfeit of Regency.... I guess I read this too soon after the Darcy books! I either need to read P&P or take several months off of the genre.... or both....)
4 stars
I think I'm a little Regency'ed out.
I did enjoy this, though I think a "continuation" of P&P is perhaps not the most apt description. It does follow a character from P&P years later (Charlotte Lucas Collins), but a continuation for me would imply following more "important" characters.
I will admit that that is a bit grumpy of me, but it's been one of those days.
I also have to say that I spent a fair amount of this book thinking that while I understand writing fan-fic (I've done a lot myself) I don't really understand writing a book as fan-fic when she easily could have just written a Regency of her own without using Austen's characters. This book is really not all that dependent on P&P (kind of like the middle book of the Darcy trilogy).
Anyway, all the grumping aside, it was a pretty good book. I did enjoy it and would recommend it.
(Although I mean it when I say I think I've had a surfeit of Regency.... I guess I read this too soon after the Darcy books! I either need to read P&P or take several months off of the genre.... or both....)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman by Pamela Aidan
**One note overall-- the copies I read were early, self-published and had a number of editing issues that I assume were later resolved.
Book 1: An Assembly Such as This
4 stars
The first in the trilogy, this book follows the first part of Pride and Prejudice pretty faithfully. Mostly the time in the beginning of the book when Darcy is at Netherfield.
I found it dragged a little, though it was entertaining to see the story through Darcy's eyes. (Played, in my mind, by Colin Firth. Naturally. As it should be.)
Book 2: Duty and Desire
3.5 stars
This is the "silent time" in Pride and Prejudice, the part where Darcy does not appear. Leaving Aidan to do whatever she wished with him.
This one went a lot faster for me, but I felt like it was totally out of place. The almost Victorian feeling house party mystery with Darcy as hero felt really really weird in the middle of P&P. And it was dark and slightly creepy.
Still interesting-- especially Darcy's friend Dy and his valet... and Georgiana, of course.
Book 3: These Three Remain
4 stars
Beginning with the fateful encounter at Rosings, we're right back in P&P. Which is nice. And I enjoyed this one.
Except I knew how it was going to end. I found myself wishing that Dy was the main character because I didn't know how his story would turn out. I knew where Darcy's story was heading.
Not that it wasn't still interesting and entertaining. It was. The end just felt a little anti-climactic.
Overall as a trilogy-- I'd say definitely worth reading for fans of P&P.
(Sorry about the lack of pictures.... my Amazon thing hates me.)
Book 1: An Assembly Such as This
4 stars
The first in the trilogy, this book follows the first part of Pride and Prejudice pretty faithfully. Mostly the time in the beginning of the book when Darcy is at Netherfield.
I found it dragged a little, though it was entertaining to see the story through Darcy's eyes. (Played, in my mind, by Colin Firth. Naturally. As it should be.)
Book 2: Duty and Desire
3.5 stars
This is the "silent time" in Pride and Prejudice, the part where Darcy does not appear. Leaving Aidan to do whatever she wished with him.
This one went a lot faster for me, but I felt like it was totally out of place. The almost Victorian feeling house party mystery with Darcy as hero felt really really weird in the middle of P&P. And it was dark and slightly creepy.
Still interesting-- especially Darcy's friend Dy and his valet... and Georgiana, of course.
Book 3: These Three Remain
4 stars
Beginning with the fateful encounter at Rosings, we're right back in P&P. Which is nice. And I enjoyed this one.
Except I knew how it was going to end. I found myself wishing that Dy was the main character because I didn't know how his story would turn out. I knew where Darcy's story was heading.
Not that it wasn't still interesting and entertaining. It was. The end just felt a little anti-climactic.
Overall as a trilogy-- I'd say definitely worth reading for fans of P&P.
(Sorry about the lack of pictures.... my Amazon thing hates me.)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Jane Bites Back by Michael Ford
4 stars
R- 2.5
It is a truth universally acknowledged.... that I avoid vampire books like the plague.
When I saw this one, which is not only a vampire book, but a vampire book about Jane Austen, I rolled my eyes so hard they were in serious jeopardy of falling right out of my head.
I mean really? Jane Austen as a vampire?
But it's a Reader's Choice book, so darn it all, I WILL get it read. And I figured if I start with the ones that I'm not really looking forward to, I won't just put them off indefinitely.
As it turned out, I actually really liked this one!
Now granted, the vampiric (is that a word? whatever) scenes early on in the book felt really contrived and awkward, and that's not just my prejudice talking. They were kinda weird. Thankfully, that got better as the book went on.
The ending also seemed a little sudden and awkward, but there's a sequel, so I guess that's alright. My first thought when I saw that there was a sequel was something along the lines of "oh dear heavens, why?" but now I find myself looking forward to reading it.
Jane herself is funny and vivacious. Having her run a bookstore in the midst of the Austen-mania that seems to be going around was pretty darn funny (noting the somewhat ironic fact that this book falls right into that very category, lol) and Jane's desire to be published was hilarious.
All in all it was a pretty good read. Great fluff for summer. :)
Counts, of course, for the Reader's Choice challenge, and the Support Your Local Library challenge!
R- 2.5
It is a truth universally acknowledged.... that I avoid vampire books like the plague.
When I saw this one, which is not only a vampire book, but a vampire book about Jane Austen, I rolled my eyes so hard they were in serious jeopardy of falling right out of my head.
I mean really? Jane Austen as a vampire?
But it's a Reader's Choice book, so darn it all, I WILL get it read. And I figured if I start with the ones that I'm not really looking forward to, I won't just put them off indefinitely.
As it turned out, I actually really liked this one!
Now granted, the vampiric (is that a word? whatever) scenes early on in the book felt really contrived and awkward, and that's not just my prejudice talking. They were kinda weird. Thankfully, that got better as the book went on.
The ending also seemed a little sudden and awkward, but there's a sequel, so I guess that's alright. My first thought when I saw that there was a sequel was something along the lines of "oh dear heavens, why?" but now I find myself looking forward to reading it.
Jane herself is funny and vivacious. Having her run a bookstore in the midst of the Austen-mania that seems to be going around was pretty darn funny (noting the somewhat ironic fact that this book falls right into that very category, lol) and Jane's desire to be published was hilarious.
All in all it was a pretty good read. Great fluff for summer. :)
Counts, of course, for the Reader's Choice challenge, and the Support Your Local Library challenge!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Hmmmm...
So, my weekend ended up being kinda psycho. What's new.
The next two Reader's Choice books are Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell, which sounds really good, but I've not read yet. I think I'll go put it on hold...
and The Next Thing on my List by Jill Smolinski, which doesn't sound bad.
Since I haven't read those.....
Persuasion by Jane Austen
5 stars
R- 1? I mean, come on
It's Jane Austen, do I really need to say more? I love Jane Austen. I enjoyed this one, though you kind of want the girl to say something already for crying out loud. I mean really. Silent suffering only gets you so far. Especially if no one notices.
Her family definitely rivals the Bennets.... and that's not a flattering comparison. But, it's Austen, so life is good.... eventually.
:D:D
The next two Reader's Choice books are Missing Witness by Gordon Campbell, which sounds really good, but I've not read yet. I think I'll go put it on hold...
and The Next Thing on my List by Jill Smolinski, which doesn't sound bad.
Since I haven't read those.....
Persuasion by Jane Austen
5 stars
R- 1? I mean, come on
It's Jane Austen, do I really need to say more? I love Jane Austen. I enjoyed this one, though you kind of want the girl to say something already for crying out loud. I mean really. Silent suffering only gets you so far. Especially if no one notices.
Her family definitely rivals the Bennets.... and that's not a flattering comparison. But, it's Austen, so life is good.... eventually.
:D:D
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