by Various Authors: Elizabeth Adams, Nicole Clarkston, Karen M Cox, J.Marie Croft, Amy D'Orazio, Jenetta James, Jessie Lewis, KaraLynne Mackrory, Lona Manning, Christina Morland, Beau North, Sophia Rose, Anngela Schroeder, Joana Starnes, Caitlin Williams.
Edited by Christina Boyd
AMAZON UK
(The Quill Collective Book 3)
Jane Austen / Regency Romance
1800s
England
“Jane Austen: True romantic or rational
creature? Her novels transport us back to the Regency, a time when
well-mannered gentlemen and finely-bred ladies fell in love as they danced at
balls and rode in carriages. Yet her heroines, such as Elizabeth Bennet, Anne
Elliot, and Elinor Dashwood, were no swooning, fainthearted damsels in
distress. Austen's novels have become timeless classics because of their biting
wit, honest social commentary, and because she wrote of strong women who were
ahead of their day. True to their principles and beliefs, they fought through
hypocrisy and broke social boundaries to find their happily-ever-after.”
This is a collection of stories by sixteen different authors, all with one
thing in common – their admiration for Miss Jane Austen’s ‘Rational Creatures’ heroines.
The stories are, in their words: “humorous,
poignant love stories set in Georgian England that complement and pay homage to
Austen's great works and great ladies who were, perhaps, the first feminists in
an era that was not quite ready for feminism.” These are behind-the-scenes alternative view stories, a
peep-behind-the curtains, or listening from the room next door type tales,
vignettes of what might have made Austen’s ladies tick, their motives and
motivations.
I did wonder,
on receiving the e-file of this book to review, whether we really needed yet
another ‘Austen look-alike’ compilation of stories, but then Jane Austen is
popular, and being frank, authors have a living to make and if they can write
what sells, well, good luck to them.
As I read, however, I decided that I was wrong: Austen readers, and probably those not familiar with her work, will enjoy these stories for they are not just about the familiar female figures – Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, the Dashwoods, Emma Woodhouse and Fanny Price, but we also have the (outside of Austen circles) not so well-knowns - Mary Crawford, Anne Elliot, Sophia Croft, Penelope Clay, Louisa Musgrove, Catherine Morland, Eleanor Tilney and Lady Susan Vernon. Not all Austen fans will necessarily agree with the imaginative interpretations of the characters’ views and perspectives of scenes that are set apart from Austen’s own narrative, but even if they do not, these stories should spark a few ‘I wonder?’ ideas.
As I read, however, I decided that I was wrong: Austen readers, and probably those not familiar with her work, will enjoy these stories for they are not just about the familiar female figures – Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane Bennet, Charlotte Lucas, the Dashwoods, Emma Woodhouse and Fanny Price, but we also have the (outside of Austen circles) not so well-knowns - Mary Crawford, Anne Elliot, Sophia Croft, Penelope Clay, Louisa Musgrove, Catherine Morland, Eleanor Tilney and Lady Susan Vernon. Not all Austen fans will necessarily agree with the imaginative interpretations of the characters’ views and perspectives of scenes that are set apart from Austen’s own narrative, but even if they do not, these stories should spark a few ‘I wonder?’ ideas.
I recall when Pride and Prejudice was set to come to
our TV scenes, the uproar about viewing Mr Darcy (played by Colin Firth) ‘behind
the scenes’ – the shots of him in his bath, fencing with his fencing master,
walking homeward with that wet shirt … all scenes which, once aired, were very
well received because we, the viewers, appreciated this different perspective.
The stories
vary from prequels to sequels, to ‘as they happen’ in Austen’s novels. Some are
first person narrative, some third, all are different in style, but all are the
same high standard regarding research and stature of writing: thoughtful explorations of the
characters and their situations – in other words, very well written.
So I have
changed my mind. Rational Creatures
is a ‘must’ to read!
© Ellen Hill
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So glad the stories changed your mind about our #RationalCreatures! We very much enjoyed peeking the cupboards and listening behind the doors to discover the untold stories of these Austen female characters. Thank you for your time in reading and reviewing our 490-page collection of stories.
ReplyDeleteour pleasure Christina!
DeleteI am very thrilled we could change your mind. I loved working with such creative authors and did find myself thinking “I wonder “ after their stories.
ReplyDeleteIt just goes to show that a book should never be judged until it has been read! :-)
DeleteI'm so glad you liked it! We do have to make a living, but this was a labor of love more than anything else. :-)
ReplyDelete*laugh* if the majority of authors relied on making a living out of our work we'd all be in the poor house! We are a rare breed of 'paid by love and a compulsion to write' I think!
DeleteWhat a delight that we were able to surprise you. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think it a huge compliment that a reader started a book that she wasn't sure of - and ended up loving it. A classic example of not judging a book by its cover!
DeleteWonderful to hear you enjoyed the book! Thank you for reading and reviewing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Joana
DeleteThank you, Helen, for your kind words about Rational Creatures. I like to think of this anthology as a celebration of Austen "proto-feminist" tendencies; I think she valued rationality, integrity, and judging people based on their merits rather than an accident of birth- at least within the world as she knew it. And I'm glad we were able to change your mind :)
ReplyDelete