Jane Austen July 2025 discussion
2023
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JA Recommendations
Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the characters seriously. I know ther..."The only one I liked was the Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman trilogy Pamela Aidan
Claireybooks wrote: "Please feel free to pass on any Jane Austen themed recommendations on here.I, myself, am wanting to recommend a youtube video by Kirsten & Joerg (that's the channel name) and it is about a Jane Au..."
Thank you for the great recommendation! I have put a lot of their videos on my TBW list! :)
QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia and Frederica. Arabella and The Grand S..."</i>I finished reading [book: Venetia not that long ago and loved it! I have quite a few of Georgette Heyer's books on my TBR list and am hoping to read The Corinthian for this year's Jane Austen July. :)
Michael Dennis.. I also enjoyed Mr Darcy's Diary
Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the characters seriously. I know ther..."This is one of the first JAFF books I ever read.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Confession-F...
It is a straight forward retelling of P&P from Darcy's POV; the author actually comes from Derbyshire so descriptions of Pemberley and area are pretty good. Only caveat - it is rather old fashioned for modern tastes, no 'steam' and if you are asking because you are a man, you may find it a little too romantic
Christine wrote: "It is a straight forward retelling of P&P from Darcy's POV; the author actually comes from Derbyshire so descriptions of Pemberley and area are pretty good. Only caveat - it is rather old fashioned for modern tastes, no 'steam' and if you are asking because you are a man, you may find it a little too romantic"Old fashioned is fine. And romance is fine too. I'd expect to find romantic sentiments even in Darcy's character. LOL.
Oooh, and there is a Kindle ebook for it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Christine wrote: "This is one of the first JAFF books I ever read.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Confession-F...
It is a straight forward retelling of P&P from Darcy's POV; the author actually comes from Derbyshire so descriptions of Pemberley and area are pretty good. Only caveat - it is rather old fashioned for modern tastes, no 'steam' and if you are asking because you are a man, you may find it a little too romantic
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That sounds up my alley. I see Open Library has a copy and there are e-books available through my public library. I like a nice old-fashioned romance.
Adding to the Heyer conversation, I love some of hers and can't stand others. Like Austen, it may sound like all of her books are the same, but they're not. I really like her humorous stories, such as The Unknown Ajax, Frederica, and yes, The Grand Sophy, though it does have some problems. The Talisman Ring is a silly farce that can be quite fun if you're in the right mood. I also enjoy Sylvester, Sprig Muslin, Black Sheep, Cotillion, and The Quiet Gentleman. I can't stand The Civil Contract, Venetia, or Arabella. But other folks love them, so you might, too.
For readers interested in getting a closer look at the Napoleonic Wars, which were going on during her books, I can suggest Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe series, which is full of fast moving adventures but really grounded in facts about life and the war. Sharpe's Rifles is the first one he wrote, and the best place to start, I think. His writing gets stronger in later books, but this one is still good. Or, if you're adventurous, jump ahead to Sharpe's Waterloo, which gives a great account of that battle.
oh, for non fiction about The War of 1812, read The Cavalry Maiden. hoping to get to it this year!
I haven't yet read everyone else's contribution, so I apologize for any duplication, but here are some of my recommendations:- Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomlin
- Jane Austen: A Life by David Nokes
- Jane Austen's Town & Counry Style by Susan Watkins
- Jane Austen, the Secret Radical by Helena Kelly (a professor of English at Oxford University)
- Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James (an above average sequel to P&P, in which Wickham stands accused of murder, by a master mystery writer, sadly now deceased)
- Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid (a modern-day retelling set at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival)
- An Elegant Madness: High Society in Regency England by Venetia Murray (the title is the US title, the subtitle the UK title)
- What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool
reccommendations? There's too many to list. My instagram page seems like a homage to Austen retellings etc. it might be easier to check out @hannah.joy.reads
Just finished watching Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical by Paul Gordon. I was not really thrilled with the libretto. Maybe the modern language would fit better if they set it in more recent times.
If musical theatre is your thing you can watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/sZC6-u13-dM
Zuzana wrote: "Just finished watching Pride and Prejudice: A New Musical by Paul Gordon. I was not really thrilled with the libretto. Maybe the modern language would fit better if they set it in more recent times..."Thanks! I love musicals, so I am going to watch this this July!
for modern day Austen adaptation Emma approved is an amazing web series on youtube the characters have been perfectly modernized https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeeXk...
Christine wrote: "Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the characters seriou..."Thank you for the suggestion. My intralibrary loan copy of The Confessions of Fitzwilliam Darcy arrived today. I read the first couple pages as I was leaving the library and I think I'll enjoy it!
Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia and Frederica. Arabella an..."Georgett Heyer is great and so authentic.
Michael wrote: "Christine wrote: "Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the..."Hi Michael,
There is a book called the Diary of Fitzwilliam D'arcy by Amanda Grange is great.
Bianca wrote: "Thanks! I love musicals, so I am going to watch this this July!"I hope you'll like it, Bianca.
I prefer Paul Gordon's other Austen-inspired musical - Emma. Both music and lyrics appeal to me more.
You can watch a concert version of three songs here:
1/ Emma and Mr. Knightley's duet (their argument at the beginning of the book): MADE THE MATCH MYSELF https://youtu.be/Ztvjs8FyVg0
2/ Mr. Knightley singing about (view spoiler) Emma: EMMA https://youtu.be/06ynd3NU8cA
3/ Emma's realization she's in love: EPIPHANY https://youtu.be/qkwJbvhNAqw
- featuring Patti Murin as Emma Woodhouse and Andrew Samonsky as Mr. Knightley
You can rent the musical at streamingmusicals.com (though that production - poster bellow - is not to my liking)
Zuzana wrote: "Bianca wrote: "Thanks! I love musicals, so I am going to watch this this July!"I hope you'll like it, Bianca.
I prefer Paul Gordon's other Austen-inspired musical - Emma. Both music and lyrics a..."
Thanks! I will listen to the songs and see if I can watch the whole musical! I am very happy about this recommendation!
QNPoohBear wrote: "Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the characters seriou..."I agree 100%.
I've read all the 3 volumes more than once.
Volume 2 was a bit of the 'sunk middle', when I read them first a few years back for JAJ - but it improved a lot on a second read last year.
Volume 1 and Vol 3 (especially the end) is gold.
Froggles wrote: "I haven't yet read everyone else's contribution, so I apologize for any duplication, but here are some of my recommendations:- Jane Austen: A Life by Claire Tomlin
- Jane Austen: A Life by David ..."
I found Claire Tomlin much better than the Deidre le Faye and the Lucy Worsley biographies. They seemed 'light' compared to her meticulous detailing.
I ADORE Lucy Worsley on TV but her books tend to be a little dense and rambling for me. My favorite Austen biography is The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. I read it before a trip to England and it was so thrilling to see some of the small things in real life.
I'm late to the game on this book, but I just finished reading Miss Austen by Gil Hornby. It's fiction and tells the story of Cassandra's quest late in life to find correspondence written by Jane and to destroy it. The novel is a thoughtful exploration of the deep relationship between the sisters in particular as well as their relationship with members of their extended family, It moves backward and forward across time exploring the lives of the sisters as young adults through Jane's death and Cassandra's many years alone after Jane's death. The author makes a convincing argument for the reasoning behind Cassandra's destruction of her sister's letters. Highly recommend.
QNPoohBear wrote: "I ADORE Lucy Worsley on TV but her books tend to be a little dense and rambling for me. My favorite Austen biography is The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things. I read it befor..."I love watching Lucy Worsley on YouTube but have never read her books. It must have been so exciting to see the small things in England in regard to Lucy's book. :)
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia and Frederica. [book:Arab..."I have quite a few of her books on my list and hope to read a few of them this year, starting with The Corinthian. :)
QNPoohBear wrote: "Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the characters seriou..."The Pamela Aidan books (well, volumes 1 and 3, I haven’t much use for vol. 2) are great; I also liked Stanley Michael Hurd’s trilogy told from Darcy’s POV, if you can still find it.
Judy wrote: "I'm late to the game on this book, but I just finished reading Miss Austen by Gil Hornby. It's fiction and tells the story of Cassandra's quest late in life to find correspondence written by Jane a..."Hi Judy,
I enjoyed Miss Austen but I found it a bit melancholy. It is only fiction but I did not like the way that Cassandra was treated by Mary Lloyd(I think it was her) anyway.
She seemed dismissed by some.
Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia and [book:Frede..."Hello,
Thanks.
I have read three of her books "Cousin Kate" "A Civil Contract" and "Charity Girl." I tried reading "The Unknown Ajaz" but it didn't really work for me.
For those disappointed by the Jsne Austen's prayers book, if you haven't read it yet, Jane Austen's Anglicanism is a solid look at religion in her body of work. It may be more to your liking.
Rebecca wrote: "For those disappointed by the Jsne Austen's prayers book, if you haven't read it yet, Jane Austen's Anglicanism is a solid look at religion in her body of work. It may be more to your liking."Thanks for the rec! I'm saving it for later 😊
Claireybooks wrote: "Please feel free to pass on any Jane Austen themed recommendations on here.I, myself, am wanting to recommend a youtube video by Kirsten & Joerg (that's the channel name) and it is about a Jane Au..."
Thanks so much for this recommendation! - I've been really enjoying their channel.
Michael wrote: "Christine wrote: "Michael wrote: "I’m interested in finding a book telling pride and prejudice from Darcy’s perspective. Not necessarily a gushy fan-fiction book, but one who takes the book and the..."Darcys Passions by Regina Jeffers is great.
Has anyone read "Perception" by Terri Fleming? I read it years ago and remember that I enjoyed it. It's a retelling/continuation of P&P but from Mary's perspective.
Bibliolyra wrote: "Has anyone read "Perception" by Terri Fleming? I read it years ago and remember that I enjoyed it. It's a retelling/continuation of P&P but from Mary's perspective."Hello,
I haven't read that one. I have read "The Other Bennet Sister" and "Mary And The Captain", "Persuading Miss Mary" and "When Mary Met the Colonel."
"Back To The Bonnet" by Jennifer Duke is good too.
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia ..."I have Charit Girl and Cousin Kate on my TBR list. :) So far, I have ten of her books on my list. :)
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia ..."Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesque, Venetia ..."
I have Charity Girl and Cousin Kate along with eight other Georgette Heyer books on my TBR list. :)
Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesqu..."Wow Janice.
Ten books I salute you.
Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which is so Austenesqu..."Those are both good reads. Enjoy.
I have a recommendation for those participating in the Juvenilia readalong.:There is a 25 min long stage adaptation of Jane Austen's short story Evelyn available to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fel-zBz8y8M
And now for something different: If you're in the mood for something fun, you can try John Mullan's Jane Austen Ultimate Quiz here:https://www.theguardian.com/books/qui...
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which i..."Thanks! Not sure when I will be reading them all though. :)
Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "Michelle Hyland wrote: "Janice wrote: "QNPoohBear wrote: "I love Sophy because it's so zany! My favorites are Black Sheep which i..."Good to hear they are good books! :)
Zuzana wrote: "I have a recommendation for those participating in the Juvenilia readalong.:There is a 25 min long stage adaptation of Jane Austen's short story Evelyn available to watch on YouTube: https://yout..."
I see there are some other Jane Austen stage adaptations on his YouTube channel as well that I have put on my favourites. Thank you for sharing. :)
Publisher's Weekly has some recommendationshttps://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
I couldn't get into Unmarriageable. That one and Kamila Knows Best were too modern for me.
Sense & Second-Degree Murder was good but I liked Pride and Premeditation better for the plot twist. You only THINK you know the story!
Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart is the most traditional of the recommendations. Some stories I liked and others I didn't.
For watch a modern adaptation, Playbill announces a new county musical take on P&P opening July 13th
With music and lyrics by Sam Wright and a book by Wright and Nicholas Collett, the show is updating the 19th century British tale to modern Tennessee.
https://playbill.com/article/country-...
Publisher's Weekly has some recommendationshttps://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
I couldn't get into Unmarriageable. That one and Kamila Knows Best were too modern for me.
Sense & Second-Degree Murder was good but I liked Pride and Premeditation better for the plot twist. You only THINK you know the story!
Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart is the most traditional of the recommendations. Some stories I liked and others I didn't.
For watch a modern adaptation, Playbill announces a new county musical take on P&P.
With music and lyrics by Sam Wright and a book by Wright and Nicholas Collett, the show is updating the 19th century British tale to modern Tennessee.
Begins previews Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters July 13.
https://playbill.com/article/country-...
Rebecca wrote: "For those disappointed by the Jsne Austen's prayers book, if you haven't read it yet, Jane Austen's Anglicanism is a solid look at religion in her body of work. It may be more to your liking."Thank you for this tip Rebecca - it sounds a good one for us to get another deeper look into JA - through an aspect that was very important in her life.
Zuzana wrote: "And now for something different: If you're in the mood for something fun, you can try John Mullan's Jane Austen Ultimate Quiz here:https://www.theguardian.com/books/qui..."
Was fun - but got 3,5,9 wrong!
My husband and I watched a debate 'Jane Austen vs Emily Brontë' on the YouTube-channel Intelligence Squared and really enjoyed it immensely. Is a recommendation in my eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP8dl...
Jane Austen July 2025
Books mentioned in this topic
Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart (other topics)Sense & Second-Degree Murder (other topics)
Pride and Premeditation (other topics)
Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart (other topics)
Unmarriageable (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Pamela Aidan (other topics)Regina Scott (other topics)
Sarah M. Eden (other topics)
Marion Chesney (other topics)
Clare Darcy (other topics)
More...
My review if you want more info: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And I also recently read an article on Regency circulating libraries, which I thought was interesting:
https://daily.jstor.org/how-lizzie-be...
Also, if you like historical/gaslamp/cozy fantasy, I would recommend Half a Soul and the rest of the trilogy, it's not Austen inspired, but it's set in (Magical) Regency and it's absolutely lovely, so... if that's your jam...
My review if you want to know more: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...