Would Jane Austen be proud of her modern popular status?
There seems to be a slew of Austenesque books floating around. And I am not talking about her realism running through romance. From The Jane Austen Book Club to Just Jane, it seems that everyone wants to have their take (and piece of the pie) regarding this author in general and Pride and Prejudice in particular. Just last week I picked up Mr. Darcy’s Daughters and Jane Austen in Boca. At a dollar each one can’t help but be swept up into it. But during her lifetime Austen wrote anonymously, now she has not only one of the most noted names in literature but also in popular fiction. There might be a pride in the endearing and enduring nature of her work, but I don’t really know enough about Austen herself to say for sure. Either way, I am curious to know which Austen related books have you read and enjoyed?
Among all these recently popular Austen spins, I thought maybe the market and interest level had been saturated. I thought even my own had been. But when I came across Prada and Prejudice I felt an instant spark of interest at the title alone. This young adult novel really seems to be onto something different.
From the author's website:"Fifteen-year-old Callie buys a pair of real Prada pumps to impress the cool crowd on a school trip to London . Goodbye, Callie the clumsy geek-girl, hello popularity! But before she knows what’s hit her, Callie wobbles, trips, conks her head… and wakes up in the year 1815!"
COMING JUNE 11, 2009
This time travel concept was tackled in Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, but the fresh twist of having it aimed at young adults seems perfectly appropriate. It seems the right level of light heartedness that would compliment Austen's sentimentality. There is something about this title that is instantly heartwarming and appealing.
Prada and Prejudice author Mandy Hubbard astonished me with a detailed timeline regarding her road to publication. Her detailed account is a must read for anyone interested in writing and the authorial experience. In and of itself it is almost as enthralling as a novel.
Maybe there was a genius in that original spark of Pride and Prejudice that inspires infinite variations of Austen’s work which also acquire success. If you are interested in finding more titles there is an excellent list here. And I am happy to report my titles are among the ones listed. I always knew I had good taste.
I've never been a big Jane Austen fan, but that detailed time line was real interesting, and fun to read.
ReplyDeleteOk, now you are getting into some good reading material. You mean to tell me you never read these in school??? Where to begin,they are all fantastic in their own right.
ReplyDelete* Love and Freindship & Other Early Works
* Mansfield Park
* Northanger Abbey
* Persuasion
* Pride and Prejudice
* Sense and Sensibility
Lady Susan, and Emma are I believe the only two books that I have not read. Believe me they are on the list to be read. But promise please....read To Kill a Mockingbird first! :)
I've read all of Austen's major works - and loved them all, exept not crazy about Northanger Abbey. Persuasion is my favorite. I haven't read her early works or her unfinished novel.
ReplyDeleteOf the "spin-offs" - I read and enjoyed both Austenland by Shannon Hale and The Jane Austen Book Club. I haven't tried any of the "sequels," yet.
This is awesome. :) The only Austen book I've read is Pride and Prejudice, but I love it. Can't wait to read Prada and Prejudice!
ReplyDeleteI imagine Jane Austen would blush at all the attention she is getting now. I am still working my way through Austen's novels and I've yet to read one that disappoints.
ReplyDelete