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Abigail Reynolds | Why is there never enough Jane Austen?
October 27, 2010
Since I’ve published seven Jane Austen-related novels, people often ask me why
there’s such a fascination with Jane Austen in general
and Pride and Prejudice
in particular. I’ve developed a number of stock answers having to do with the
brilliance and universality of her characterizations, the appeal of escaping to
a different era, and the assurance that love will always triumph in Jane Austen’s world. And
how can you not love Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? But the current appeal,
with new Austen-related novels being published every month, may have to do with
something that goes beyond Jane Austen herself. Most women readers I run into already know the story of Pride and Prejudice. Either
they read it in high school, or they saw the 1995 miniseries with Colin Firth or
the 2005 movie with Matthew MacFadyen, but they all know the basic story. I can
walk into any bookstore and start a conversation with a woman I’ve never met
about Mr. Darcy, and chances are good I’m going to hear how much she loves Pride & Prejudice. It’s as
close to a universal that we have for women who read. In today’s fragmented world, we’re always grasping for sources of connection to
others. Sports serves as a social connector for men — how ‘bout them
Giants? — and with a little knowledge of sports, they can have a good time
conversing with someone whose politics or lifestyle they may hate. Older kids
and to some extent adults have discovered the appeal of this in Harry
Potter. It’s a way they can connect in their own world, through their
common acquaintance with Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore. Watching TV today,
we see the appeal of ensemble shows like NCIS, Bones, or House — places we
can return to share in the lives of fictional characters who become almost like
old friends. My books are like old friends. I write Pride and Prejudice
variations, which means I take Austen’s story and give
it a new twist by changing the plot line. Maybe Elizabeth Bennet refuses to
read Mr. Darcy’s letter. Maybe Mr. Darcy assures Elizabeth of his continuing
affection before he leaves her alone at the Lambton Inn. Maybe Mrs. Bennet’s
worst nightmare comes true with Mr. Bennet’s premature death, leaving the Bennet
ladies displaced and in genteel poverty. That’s my most recent release, Mr.
Darcy’s Obsession. How will Darcy and Elizabeth still manage to fall in love
and overcome all the obstacles before them? And for all my books, I can
guarantee that happy ending will come to pass, no matter how unlikely it may
seem. At first I thought people would read one or two of my books, then get tired of
the concept. That isn’t what happened. Instead, they wanted more and more, to
the point where other writers are also publishing their own Pride and Prejudice
variations — I should have put that on my lifetime to-do list,
"Establish new sub-genre of books"! We even have a group blog for
writers of Austen-related fiction at www.AustenAuthors.com, with no less than 27
novelists participating. So what do you think — is Jane Austen the modern
woman’s equivalent of sports talk? How much does the return to a familiar world
and characters play into the current craze for Austen-related novels?
MR. DARCY’S OBSESSION
BY ABIGAIL
REYNOLDS—IN STORES OCTOBER 2010 The more he tries to stay away from her, the more his obsession grows... "[Reynolds] has creatively blended a classic love story with a saucy
romance novel." —
Austenprose "Developed so well that it made the age-old storyline new and fresh--Her
writing gripped my attention and did not let go."—
The Romance Studio "The style and wit of Ms. Austen are compellingly replicated--spellbinding.
Kudos to Ms. Reynolds!" —
A Reader’s Respite In this Pride and
Prejudice variation, Elizabeth is called away before Darcy proposes for the
first time and Darcy decides to find a more suitable wife. But when Darcy
encounters Elizabeth living in London after the death of her father, he can’t
fight his desire to see and speak with her again...and again and again. But now
that her circumstances have made her even more unsuitable, will Darcy be able to
let go of all his long held pride to marry a woman who, though she is beneath
his station, is the only woman capable of winning his heart? About the Author
Abigail Reynolds is a
physician and a lifelong Jane Austen enthusiast.
She began writing the
Pride and Prejudice variations series in 2001, and encouragement from
fellow Austen fans convinced her to continue asking "What if...?" She
lives with her husband and two teenage children in Madison, Wisconsin. For more
information, please visit http://www.pemberleyvariations.com/ or http://www.austenauthors.com/.
Comments
23 comments posted.
Re: Abigail Reynolds | Why is there never enough Jane Austen?
I think that a familiarity with characters who are facing different obstacles and circumstances is always a comfort. You know them so well, just learning how they will overcome things that have been turned on them.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:28am October 27, 2010)
Familiarity is always a plus, but I think a big key now is "And for all my books, I can guarantee that happy ending will come to pass, no matter how unlikely it may seem." People are seeking comfort...the familiar coupled with a happy ending is a huge draw in today's climate.
(Jl Welling 8:22am October 27, 2010)
Love the picture of you and your cat.
Blessings from another cat lover,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 10:26am October 27, 2010)
I think getting to know the characters as the book progresses and as thay grow we become involved in their lives and obstacles and circumstances thay work through makes us feel as if we know them and enjoy it even more when the happy ending comes.
(Vickie Hightower 11:22am October 27, 2010)
I think in the world of today with more computer contact and less person to person contact that the familiarity of characters in a good book is replacing some of our human contact of the past.
(Sue Farrell 11:32am October 27, 2010)
It's the characters, the writing itself...the wit and charm. Words were/are treasures and they just used them better, imo.
(Ivy Truitt 1:30pm October 27, 2010)
I think stories that give us another look into beloved characters wonderful. I love to curl up in my bed at night and spend some time with wonderful characters.
Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 2:03pm October 27, 2010)
I like to be familiar with the
characters and look forward to
the continue story, its a mini
soap. smile!
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 4:02pm October 27, 2010)
I love Jane Austin books.I love reading historical romances that have a happy ending.
(Cheryl Lynne 5:45pm October 27, 2010)
I have read P&P, along with most of her other books, and I'm still not sure if I liked them. Even though I love reading books set in the Regency era-area, say 1780 - 1830, I found hers very difficult to get into.
But I'm just glad to know that someone from my hometown (and current town) is making it big!! Go Badgers!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 5:58pm October 27, 2010)
There can never be too much Austen. Love it myself.
(Mary Preston 6:11pm October 27, 2010)
Jane Austen is the quintissential romance writer - imagine if she wrote as many books as some of todays authors!
(Diane Sallans 8:48pm October 27, 2010)
Pride and Prejudice with a twist. But I love Mr Bennett. He was Elizabeth's confidental when she is trouble. It's the perfect father and daughter.
(Kai Wong 9:32pm October 27, 2010)
thta sound like a great book and wish to get it
(Desiree Reilly 11:02pm October 27, 2010)
I feel that Jane Austen is like putting on your favorite robe and slippers -- it's a comfort to read, it's familiar territory, and you feel better afterwards. It gives you a comraderie with your girlfriends as well, so I suppose it could be the "sports" type reading for women. We love to feel comfort at times, and that's when we turn to Jane Austen, or that genre of book. The other times I suppose we reach for a mystery or medical suspense. I personally like the comraderie books, such as the knitting groups or sewing and quilting bees, but my tastes vary depending on my mood.
(Peggy Roberson 12:02pm October 28, 2010)
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 3:37am October 28, 2010)
I agree with the statement that classics are like old friends you get to revisit. That is what makes certain books call to me.
(Pam Howell 8:18am October 28, 2010)
When reading Austen in high
school, I never enjoyed the
books. I think it time now to
revisit them.
(Jessie OLeary 8:26am October 28, 2010)
Because your there in another time and place. You lose time and presence in the pages.
(Mamie Bolton 9:40am October 28, 2010)
I believe we all recognized our flaws that make us who we are, yet each of us longs for the "perfect" love!
(Elaine Loesch 11:09am October 28, 2010)
Love to read romance books from another era, thanks for the chance to win.
(Colleen Jensen 6:36pm October 28, 2010)
As you said, a common point of interest in a book will unite any two strangers. it is an easy jump off point for conversation.
Thanks for an interesting post.
(Patricia Barraclough 9:08pm October 28, 2010)
I enjoy reading about Jane Austen, her life and times. Also my daughter, when in HS had to write a story from the point of view of one of her characters and that showcased the customs and morals of the day and how rigid they were.
(Alyson Widen 5:17pm October 29, 2010)
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