Jane's Fame

If you want to learn about the rise in popularity of Jane Austen's novels, pick up a copy of Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman. Harman examines Jane's life as a struggling writer with a small amount of success to her global renown today. The book is full of interesting information about the Austen family's reaction to her writing as well as fascinating quotes by other authors and contemporaries. I loved this line from Richard Whately, archbishop of Dublin: "Her heroines are what one knows women must be, though one can never get them to acknowledge it." This was my last book for the Everything Austen II challenge. Can't wait for Everything Austen III!

Persuasion (1995 movie)

I took a break from reading for the Everything Austen II challenge and decided to watch the 1995 version of Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds. I saw this version once several years ago and only remembered that I'd liked it. Watching this adaptation again, I appreciated how closely the movie followed the book and the maturity that Root and Hinds bring to their roles. I love the naval scenes at the beginning and ending of the movie and wish that the 2007 adaptation had ended this way. If you haven't seen this film, I highly recommend that you do so.

The Intrigue at Highbury

Mr. and Mrs. Darcy meet the Knightleys in Carrie Bebris' mystery, The Intrigue at Highbury. When Elizabeth and Darcy are robbed by a highwayman, they seek assistance from the local magistrate, Mr. Knightley. Mr. Knightley and his young bride, Emma, in turn ask the Darcys for help in solving the murder of Frank Churchill's uncle. I loved how the characters from Pride and Prejudice and Emma interacted with each other, and their attempts to solve the murder were entertaining. Moreover, Miss Bates talks about baked apples so frequently, I had to make a batch of apple dumplings after finishing the book. I would, also, recommend a cup of tea while reading this mystery.

For more Jane Austen goodness, check out the Everything Austen II Challenge.

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Murder at Mansfield Park

I just finished reading Lynn Shepherd's Murder at Mansfield Park for the Everything Austen II challenge and am so sad to have finished it because it was that good. Forget everything you know about Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and pretend she rewrote it as a murder mystery. Fanny Price is no longer the meek, good girl while Mary Crawford is the downtrodden heroine. When Fanny is brutally murdered, Mary sets out to solve the mystery. Intrigue, suspense, and a happy ending make this novel worth reading.

Lady Vernon and Her Daughter

I just finished reading Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway's Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, a retelling of Jane Austen's Lady Susan. While I liked how Lady Vernon and Her Daughter captured Austen's style, I'm disappointed that Lady Susan is transformed from a calculating coquette into a damsel in distress. Instead of a captivating social climber, Lady Susan Vernon is a loving wife and mother who must shift for herself when her husband dies. Much like in Sense and Sensibility, Lady Vernon and her daughter, Frederica, are dependent on a male relation who refuses to offer them financial assistance or acknowledge that it is his duty to provide for these helpless women. I think if I had not read Lady Susan first I would have enjoyed this novel more.

Follow the Everything Austen II Challenge here!

Murder at Longbourn

To start off my reading for Stephanie's Written Word Everything Austen II challenge, I picked up Murder at Loungbourn by Tracy Kiely, and I have to say that this book was a lot of fun. Elizabeth Park attends her Aunt Winnie's New Year's Eve murder mystery party at her aunt's new B&B, The Inn at Loungbourn. When the town bully is shot and killed, it is up to Elizabeth to solve the murder before Aunt Winnie is thrown in jail. This book was a quick read. Every time the plot verged into the predictable a twist was there to pull me back into story.

Everything Austen II

As soon as I heard that Stephanie's Written Word announced the Everything Austen II challenge, I scurried over to Amazon to put together my reading list.

• Murder at Mansfield Park: A Novel by Lynn Shepherd
• Northanger Alibi by Jenni James
• The Intrigue at Highbury: Or, Emma's Match by Carrie Bebris
• Murder at Longbourn: A Mystery by Tracy Kiely
• Willoughby's Return: A tale of almost irresistible temptation by Jane Odiwe
• Lady Vernon and Her Daughter: A Novel of Jane Austen's Lady Susan by Jane Rubino and Caitlen Rubino-Bradway

As you can see, this list bends toward mysteries, so I've put together an extra credit list incase I tire of sleuthing or can't find the book at my local library, which happens way to often.

• Jane's Fame: How Jane Austen Conquered the World by Claire Harman
• Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
• Dear Jane Austen: A Heroine's Guide to Life and Love by Patrice Hannon
• Tea with Jane Austen by Kim Wilson
• The Jane Austen Handbook: A Sensible Yet Elegant Guide to Her World by Margaret C. Sullivan

The challenge runs from July 1st, 2010 to January 1, 2011. What books will you be reading this summer?