I'm working on it

I'm still working my way through Old Friends and New Fancies. It is kind of fun how all the 'leftover' characters from Miss Jane's works have found their way to Bath and are enjoying each other's company. This first ever sequel, being written in 1913, is well written in the style of Jane Austen without having modern overtures flung upon it.

Let's get on with some new (old) material

I picked up this little cutie in the bargain section at Barnes & Noble. This is the very first sequel written of Miss Jane's works. It was first published in 1913. I only trust women to carry on her work. It only makes sense that a woman and only a woman is capable of understanding Jane through and through. And I'm looking forward to some writing that took place before things got all liberated and risque*.
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*Tom Jones was written by a man, don't you know.

Thoughts on Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

SPOILER ALERT!!!

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO READ THIS, AND HAVEN'T, AND DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE END RUINED FOR YOU: WAIT TO READ THIS ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED.

We know from the title about Darcy's, erm, condition. Elizabeth, however, does not find out about it until more than 200 pages in. Dangerous situations are barely hinted at and always avoided with little consequence. Darcy is a conscientious vampyre who does not drink human blood, but we are never told exactly how he sustains himself. At one point we are led to believe he can transform into a bat, but that idea is barely explored - if at all. Darcy is transformed in a Edward-esque way, resulting from a plague in the 1500's. Elizabeth encounters numerous vampyres, with none but one being tempted by her blood in the slightest. The oldest vamp of all finally captures her to 'have' her first, a la Braveheart, as all vampyre wives are. But Darcy is able to fend him off with no violence when Elizabeth's love protects him (Harry Potter?), and touching Darcy's skin burns the old bat. Just when they are about to throw caution to the wind, Darcy is told there is a way to reverse his curse. The last chapter takes us to an underground petrified forest where reading an inscription brings about a score of Indiana Jones-like booby traps, and as Darcy and Elizabeth cling together about to drown, the water recedes and he is human again enjoying his first sunrise in over 100 years. I all but lost sight that this was 'our Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet' except for their names. The entire story takes us from Paris ('underground' vampyres) to Draculish castle in the Alps (feared vampyres and werewolves) to Venice (revered vampyres). Grange dedicated this tale to Catherine Morland from Austin's own Northanger Abbey who loved a good gothic novel. This novel, I felt, was not gothic enough to be touted as a vampire tale. I read it in 2 days, flying through it, hoping to get to the good part. I fault this book with being too tame. Grange is brilliant with the diaries of the Austin men, but this venture disappointed.

it's here. i have it. i started it.

more info to follow

My Latest Obsession...

is {gasp!} not J.A. related. I recently watched The City of Ember with my kids and instantly wanted to read the book. Little did I know there was a 4 book series:

The City of Ember

The People of Sparks

The Prophet of Yonwood

The Diamond of Darkhold

I have found the first two to be very interesting. Yes, these books deal with post-apocalyptic societies, but still...

I endorse this series.

My New Read

This is my new companion. I love reading the romance between Anne and Frederick from the beginning and from his point of view. Amanda Grange does a wonderful job with each of her 'Diaries'. This is one of my favorite stories from Miss Austen.