• Home
  • About Me
  • 5* Elements
  • 2019 Reading Challenges
    • Other Reading Challenges
    • 2013 Reading Challenges
    • 2014 Reading Challenges
    • 2015 Reading Challenges
    • 2016 Reading Challenges
    • 2017 Reading Challenges
    • 2018 Reading Challenges
  • My Bookish Lists
    • My Classics Club List
    • Reading the Newberys
    • Reading My Own Books
Smiling Shelves

The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen

4/29/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
There have been many authors that have attempted to write as Jane Austen or in the style of Jane Austen. They have finished or fleshed out some of her unfinished manuscripts. They have taken her beloved characters in new directions. To write as Jane Austen is always risky, leaving an author open to much criticism. So what if you don’t want your whole book panned, just because you didn’t quite capture Jane’s elusive style? Why, include your Jane Austen novel as simply a part of another story.

That’s just what Syrie James has done. The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen details Samantha McDonough’s amazing discovery of another novel by Jane Austen, hidden away for many years in a private library. Interspersed with Samantha’s story is Jane’s novel from start to finish. It really is a clever way to try your hand at imitating Jane Austen while still keeping your readers hooked with a modern-day story.

I love Jane just as much as the next person (sometimes more, depending on who that next person is), but I also realize that it is almost impossible to write just as Jane wrote. I see the flaws in Syrie James’ attempt (especially the beginning of Jane’s supposedly undiscovered novel. That drove me a little crazy and didn’t give me high hopes for what was to come). But gradually the characters and the plot won me over. No, Syrie James didn’t write exactly like Jane Austen. But her amusing characters and twisty plot certainly do Jane justice.

Samantha’s story was also well-told, although rather more predictable than the Jane Austen section. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Enough so that I plan on picking up James’ other related Jane title – The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen. Austen lovers need something to cling to and broaden their repertoire, and Syrie James adds creditably to this collection.

Picture
Voice

2 Comments
Jade @ Bits & Bobs link
4/29/2014 02:49:27 am

I've always avoiding the retellings and original novels that are based around classics, whether it be novel or author, thinking they wouldn't quite sit right with me. The premise of this one sounds interesting though. Thank you for sharing.
:-)

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
5/1/2014 02:20:49 pm

I also try to avoid "spin-offs" of the classics, especially Jane Austen ones. The originals are too good - why mess with them? But for me, an "original" novel or one written in the style of Austen are a little different. And this author does an admirable job of imitating Austen!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at [email protected].

    Picture
    What are 5* Elements all about?

    Picture
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Follow on Bloglovin

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Currently Reading

    Clara and Mr. Tiffany
    A Little Folly

    2019 Reading Challenge

    2019 Reading Challenge
    Julie has read 9 books toward their goal of 75 books.
    hide
    9 of 75 (12%)
    view books

    Archives

    November 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013

    Categories

    All
    5* Atmosphere
    5* Characters
    5* Learning
    5* Learning
    5* Meaning
    5* Plot
    5* Plot
    5* Voice
    5* Voice
    5* Writing
    Book Club
    Book Club
    Challenges
    Children's
    Classics Club
    Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    It's Monday
    It's Monday
    Library Loot
    Life
    Newbery Reading Challenge
    Nonfiction
    Read A Thons
    Reading
    Review
    Saturday Snapshot
    Smiling Shelves Soapbox
    Stacking The Shelves
    Top Ten Tuesday
    Travel
    Young Adult


    Picture