Side Read Suggestions?

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, Patricia! I live near DSM, and fly through ORD and MSP most times. Haven't been to the West Coast in a while. :) I will add the Barron books to our shelves. Do you mean the Mr & Mrs Darcy mysteries by Carrie Bebris? Or has Barron written her own series?

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)]

For a Gaskell novel that is quite Austen-like, do give Wives and Daughters a read. And don't let anyone discourage you by saying that it is 'unfinished.' While Elizabeth Gaskell died before finishing the last chapter, it is finished; and it is more than abundantly clear how it would have ended, and takes very little imagination at all. One of my favorite books by Gaskell!

Someone mentioned Fanny Burney -- Read her novels Evelina and Cecilia, they are absolutely delightful, and most certainly influenced Jane Austen. Cheers! Chris

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Christopher wrote: "For a Gaskell novel that is quite Austen-like, do give Wives and Daughters a read. And don't let anyone discourage you by saying that it is 'unfinished.' While Elizabeth Gaskell died before finis..."

Thanks for the Gaskell recommendation. I plan to propose a side read that will "follow in Austen's footsteps." Not as to say the particular author was specifically influenced by Austen -- but I would like to bring a little later reading into our group. I can imagine Austen herself would have wanted us to explore good writing as it went on into the century and after. I know there are other GR groups that focus on that of course, but would like to try discussing it at least a little here.

[Patricia]

Yes, the Mr and Mrs Darcy series by Carrie Bebris.
Patg
www.patgulley.com

[Alicia]

I want to second Christopher's recommendation of Wives and Daughters. I think I started reading Jane Austen as a pre-teen, but only discovered Elizabeth Gaskell recently. She's now one of my favorite authors. Her characters are interesting and realistic. She has an amazing ability to show a situation from more than one side.

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Alicia, thanks for weighing in. You members are making me even more interested in a Gaskell side read. I have only read Cranford, but enjoyed it so much.

[Alicia]

Sarah wrote: "Alicia, thanks for weighing in. You members are making me even more interested in a Gaskell side read. I have only read Cranford, but enjoyed it so much."
After reading North and South and Wives and Daughters, I was disappointed by Cranford.

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Alicia wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Alicia, thanks for weighing in. You members are making me even more interested in a Gaskell side read. I have only read Cranford, but enjoyed it so much."
After reading North and S..."

I have heard they are quite different kinds of stories.

[[deleted user]]

I tried Wives and Daughters once, but found it to be a bit too long. I am willing to attempt it again.

[Shaun]

Gosh, so many good side-read suggestions! I just got in the 4th Stephanie Barron book and just trying to finish up other books before starting!

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Jeannette wrote: "Thanks, Patricia! I live near DSM, and fly through ORD and MSP most times. Haven't been to the West Coast in a while. :) I will add the Barron books to our shelves. Do you mean the Mr & Mrs Dar..."

I don't really follow her, but Barron has another series, doesn't she?

Have any of you posted any written reviews of Barron's books on your GR bookshelves? I would love to read some if you have, since I have not read the books.


Just FYI for our new members here, we discussed one of the Bebris books in group this past fall.

[[deleted user]]

I have reviewed her "Jane and..." mystery series, at least the ones I read. :)

[Heidi]

I enjoyed Gaskell also, North and South is wonderful, characters much like Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. I just finished reading Pemberly Mannor by Kathryn Nelson. In the book the author shows the reasons for Mr. Darcy's moods and darker side -the book is more about Darcy then Elizabeth -but I did enjoy it.

[Bill]

Sarah wrote: "Alicia, thanks for weighing in. You members are making me even more interested in a Gaskell side read. I have only read Cranford, but enjoyed it so much."

Sarah, read North and South. It is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice.

[Rachel, The Honorable Miss Moderator]

I think the side reads should remain Austen related-- and I love the way Northanger and Mysteries of Udolpho are connected, so maybe keep doing that? Such as reading Austen's unfinished works for the group read and then perhaps one of the recent completions (like Emma Watson by Joan Aiken) for a side read? Just an idea!

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Hey thanks so much Rachel!

We will try to plan the side reads with a variety so that some are more directly Austen-related. We have had several discussions of Austen continuations and retellings and plan to still do that. And we will be having main reads, often the original works.

Jeannette and I are communicating on the upcoming schedule and we'll post a little more about that including side reads shortly.

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)]

Rachel wrote: "I think the side reads should remain Austen related-- and I love the way Northanger and Mysteries of Udolpho are connected, so maybe keep doing that? Such as reading Austen's unfinished works for t..."

Before you commit to Aiken's Emma Watson, do have a look see at my review of the book. In my opinion, it is not worth the time, but others may have a differing viewpoint. I thought it was a real stinker. Cheers! Chris

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

Chris, thanks for the comment. Joan Aiken books puzzle me a little. I read one from her Wolves of Willoughby series and thought it was genius. Here in JA group, we discussed Mansfield Revisited and I liked it -- not loved it. Since then I have seen very mixed reviews of her other "Austen" books. So I think your warning is justified.

I think we must just all love different things about the world of Austen fan fiction and it is hard to determine what Austen fans are looking for. I am all for delving into more of the fan fiction titles and find out what the group view is.

Don't get me wrong, though, I love to hear direct clear opinions such as Chris offered because that all adds into the equation. So, please keep them coming!

[Usako]

* Gaskell - THUMBS UP!
* Fan Fic - Be nice to try the Diary series or a continuation instead of a modern re-telling

[SarahC, Austen Votary & Mods' Asst.]

See the new upcoming reads we have set up -- announcement in the Group Business & Policy folder.

We have also just posted a policy and steps for setting up a side read in the Group Business & Policy folder at the top of the group page. Check it out if you are interested or if anyone wants to pursue any of these great ideas for reading discussion that we have been chatting about in this thread.

[Rachel, The Honorable Miss Moderator]

Christopher wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I think the side reads should remain Austen related-- and I love the way Northanger and Mysteries of Udolpho are connected, so maybe keep doing that? Such as reading Austen's unfinis..."

Wow, thanks for the heads up Chris! I know my local library has it, so I'll probably check it out there when I get the chance to read it instead of spending money on it.

I can't wait to check out the news of what's coming up!

[Shaun]

Christopher wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I think the side reads should remain Austen related-- and I love the way Northanger and Mysteries of Udolpho are connected, so maybe keep doing that? Such as reading Austen's unfinis..."

Hey Chris, I'll definitely check out your review. I liked it myself, but look at it more as a fan fiction as opposed to a continuation. I did also just bought her unfinished version (put together with Sandition and Lady Susan) so I will compare! Thanks for your great opinions!

[Patricia]

Don't forget Sanditon. I tried to read that continuation and didn't do to well.
I thought Emma Watson was at best good.
What I've never tried to read yet is the Juvenalia.
Patg
www.patgulley.com

[Captain Sir Roddy, R.N. (Ret.)]

Patricia wrote: "Don't forget Sanditon. I tried to read that continuation and didn't do to well.
I thought Emma Watson was at best good.
What I've never tried to read yet is the Juvenalia.
Patg
www.patgulley.com"

I have always enjoyed reading Austen's unfinished works, and have foresworn reading any more continuations of the fragments. Personally, I just find them awful. Somehow, to me, it just seems right and proper to leave the fragments as Ms. Austen left them, and imagine where she might have taken them had she chosen to, or been able.

Sanditon is the fragment that seemed to hold a lot of promise too, as a novel. It seemed that Austen's own declining health was playing a prominent role in the plot, as well as the notion of all things 'new' versus the ways of the old. I've oft imagined that it would have been something quite different and special from her previous works. Cheers! Chris